The concrete underneath your home is usually a sign of a weak foundation, which can lead to major structural damages. Concrete problems are a cause for concern for commercial or residential property owners and in these cases quick action is necessary. A professional examination can help determine the extent of the damage and experts should be called in immediately for a formal inspection.
It is important to first address the cause of damage to the concrete and then proceed. Our expert staff will be able to guide you better about whether you need to replace the concrete or repair it when any of the following issues arise.
Use of inconsistent concrete mix
There are a number of underlying reasons behind deterioration of buildings largely due to below par concrete used for construction. When ingredients in a mix are not calculated properly, they tend to lead to unequal distribution in the foundation. To determine if this is the case, collect a sample of the concrete from different areas of the damaged concrete and you will be able to find inconsistencies in the concrete mix. Since it can be difficult to replace the entire foundation of the building, it is preferred to repair this problem.
Various construction and design errors
Errors in design and construction are likelier to occur when the building constructed strays from the authentic specifications and the mandated standards. Some common errors in design include a lack of drip edges at the slab underside or having too much distance between joints for control and expansion. It can be difficult to remedy defects in the construction of the building but there are restorative measures that can be taken to make sure any safety risks can be dealt with on time.
Environmental factors
You cannot dismiss climate conditions when talking about concrete deterioration. Due to its ability to absorb precipitation and moisture in the air at a faster rate, it can impact the concrete structures excessively. This is a more prevalent issue for places which have extreme freezing temperatures because this puts more pressure on the cement. Excess levels of carbon dioxide in the air can react with the cement mixture and cause it to degenerate further.
How to spot concrete damage?
Some signs you should look out for in concrete deterioration are active and deep cracks that can become wider and deeper over time or dormant cracks that don’t change at all. Leaving these unrepaired can cause moisture to seep in and this can make things worse. Some structural cracks can also develop with excess load on the foundation. Cracks caused by a change in temperature can also occur and these are places on the corners of buildings most often.
Repair or Replace?
You should avoid quick fixes when it comes to repairing concrete damage. Quite often, to restore and preserve buildings, multiple treatments and techniques need to be applied. We at AMN Masonry can treat erosion, spalling and deflection including other concrete repairs. Contact us for more details.