The most common problems associated with concrete repair include cracks, movement, sagging, deflection, drying out, freezing, and hydrostatic pressure. Movement problems may result from the surface tension between the concrete and underlying steel or iron, while stress cracks from over-filling or settling may cause cracks. Ongoing cracking, settlement, movement, deformation, joint displacement, separation, and excessive topping indicate structural issues affecting the entire structure.
Deflection Cracks occur when the concrete is damaged by an object, such as a falling object, wind, or ice, that causes the stresses to be dispersed, creating tiny cracks. Deflection is common in residential structures, especially those that are located in high-traffic areas. The stress is not properly balanced, and a cracked concrete repair can create unsightly “cracks” in the area where the damage occurs.
Prolonged exposure to rain, sleet, or snow can cause concrete structures to crack at the interface where two surfaces meet, usually at the point where the concrete is embedded. Since most roads and highways are located on concrete pads, cracks may appear anywhere along the travel route. In these cases, the concrete repair must be conducted to repair any cracks that develop.
Hydrostatic Pressure Severe weather conditions that occur without warning can weaken old and/or damaged concrete. As water sits on a wet pad, it expands due to buoyancy and weight, putting tremendous stress on the integrity of the material. If this condition is allowed to continue for long periods of time, concrete repairs may become necessary. When the water recedes, and the pad dries out, the expanded stresses return, sometimes in a worse condition than before the moisture issue occurred.
Reinforcement It is important to ensure that proper reinforcement is present when doing concrete repair or replacement work. The purpose of reinforcement is to help prevent the potential movement of existing water. This allows the surface of the newly restored or repaired area to have the same amount of structural integrity as the original surface. By providing additional structural support, the new concrete replacement or repaired area will last longer. It is also important to note that steel reinforcement does not eliminate the need for a sealant and other finishing materials to keep bacteria from growing once the new concrete is installed.
Corrosion Due to the elements, concrete repair, and replacement projects may expose the concrete structures to corrosion. In general, prevention is better than cure when it comes to preventing corrosion. In prolonged exposure to weather, salt spray, or freezing temperatures, concrete structures can experience gradual deterioration. To effectively prevent corrosion, concrete repair and replacement should be done as soon as possible. For example, when the salt spray is used to prepare a road, it is best to wait until after the road has dried out completely. Cracks, breaks, and other damage to concrete structures can develop over time if they are not removed promptly.
In most cases, repairs made with traditional forms of concrete repair and replacement will be effective. However, when surface materials deteriorate or become too weak, these repairs may prove to be ineffective. In these cases, Concrete Jacksonville FL may prefer to use steel reinforcing bars with nickel-zinc alloy. These materials are stronger than their traditional counterparts and provide the same level of protection to the structure as both old and new concrete structures.
In addition to repairs, a contractor may choose to repair a cracked area using a roller and a trowel. In this process, a small strip of concrete is drawn across the surface, and a series of pins are driven into the broken area with a trowel. After a trowel is used to apply pressure to the damaged area, the steel reinforcing bars are placed under the slabs to hold them together. Concrete slabs are then pulled through the cracks until the broken piece is securely seated into the rest of the concrete.