Concrete plays a pivotal part in the US construction industry, with the total market size standing at $59.4bn this year. This shows that concrete is still a popular construction choice for homeowners. The reasons are fairly simple—concrete is durable, diverse, reflective, and versatile.

However, if you’re not careful, the concrete might wear out sooner than you think.

Here are a few common causes that concrete wears out:

Defective Construction Methods

The way your concrete was installed makes a lot of difference. If the installation service used low-grade quality concrete material or hasn’t chosen the right concrete mix, the concrete will wear out sooner. Other reasons include inadequate quality of detailing, defective workmanship, or the use of defective construction plant to transport or produce the concrete. Such concrete structures tend to wear out quicker.

When you’re getting the structure first constructed, choose a service that conforms to standard concrete specifications and requirements.

Water Damage

Water is one of the biggest enemies of concrete. Usually, water comes in contact with concrete through rain, ice, snow, and irrigation. Water weakens the bond of the surface material and makes it break apart. This not only destroys the finish of the concrete but takes a toll on its lifespan. The finish no longer remains smooth, and the rock inside gets exposed.

The underlying theory is that concrete naturally tends to absorb water. If there are cracks in the concrete, the damage can be a lot worse. This is because the crack allows water to seep deeper into the sub-grade. As a result, the sub-grade becomes softer and is unable to support the weight of the concrete traffic and causes further cracking.

Corrosion

If your structure is made up of reinforced concrete, it requires a higher level of stability. Such concrete is backed by steel bars embedded within the floor. The concrete’s job is to provide an extra layer of protection to the steel and prevent it from rusting. Common elements that cause steel rusting are deicing salts and chloride ions. These penetrate inside through cracks and pores.

When the steel corrodes, the surrounding concrete starts wearing out too. You may see signs of spalling and cracking. If you don’t pay attention to the issue, the entire structure can deteriorate.

We recommend hiring a professional restoration to keep your concrete in good condition. If you’re based in the Greater Boston area, AMN Masonry is known for restoring commercial and historical buildings. We are also offering concrete repair and foundation waterproofing services.