There are several steps that need to be considered when concrete is repaired. These include a determination of the cause, evaluation of the condition, selection of appropriate repair technique and material, reparation process preparation, application of the repair method and curing of the repaired area.
It is important that the repaired concrete is brought to a Saturated Surface Dry (SSD) condition after profiling. This will prevent the absorbing of too much water by the repair material and a weak bond. Visit https://www.concreterepaireauclaire.com/ to learn more.
When concrete cracks, it must be repaired as soon as possible to limit further damage and deterioration. A professional contractor has the knowledge, expertise and high-quality materials necessary to ensure proper repairs that last long-term.
Proper concrete repair begins with preparation of the existing surface. All damaged and deteriorated surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned and prepared to receive the new concrete patch material. If this step is shortened or performed haphazardly, the final results will be substandard.
For concrete cracks that are 1/8-inch wide or narrower, apply an epoxy or latex crack filler product. The product should be mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and applied with a mason’s trowel or putty knife. Press the product deep into the crack and smooth it level with the surrounding concrete. Allow the product to dry and cure before walking on the repaired area.
Narrow cracks that extend through the entire thickness of the concrete slab are best treated with foam backer rod. This is a cylindrical product that is stuffed into the crack using a screwdriver to a depth of 1/4 inch. The rod helps support the new concrete patch and reduce recurrence of the crack.
Once the concrete repair material is set, sand the patched area to eliminate any unevenness. When the sanding process is complete, the area should be sealed to protect the newly repaired concrete from weathering and premature deterioration.
During this phase, it is important to remove any rust, paint or oil that may be present on the concrete surface prior to repair. Failure to remove these contaminants can cause the repair material to bond poorly with the existing concrete.
It is also critical to follow the curing guidelines for the repair product that is chosen. Curing is the final stage in the repair process and often is shortened or skipped altogether due to a desire to get the project finished. This can result in poor performance of the repair and potentially require removal and replacement.
Concrete is a highly durable material that can withstand a great deal of stress and pressure, but that durability can be compromised by external factors. Many of these external factors are influenced by the environment in which the concrete is used, including water, salts and other chemical contaminants. These factors can cause the concrete to corrode and break down, which is why it is so important to perform regular inspections and maintenance on the concrete structures at your site.
Sealing Cracks
Concrete repair experts recommend sealing cracks as soon as they appear in order to prevent them from widening and becoming more costly to fix. It is also an effective way to reduce safety hazards caused by loose concrete and potential falling objects.
Most people can tackle this project themselves, but if you feel like it is too much of a challenge or the cracks are larger than what you can comfortably handle, we recommend calling in a professional. Professional concrete contractors have the equipment and expertise to quickly complete the repairs and ensure that they are done properly. They will also use quality materials that will last for years to come.
Cracks in concrete are usually a symptom of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Often times a concrete slab will shift due to soil instability, moisture intrusion, improper construction site practices, or poor foundation design. Sealing the cracks can help extend the life of the concrete structure, but a new crack will likely appear once the underlying issue is resolved.
It is important to clean the area in and around the crack prior to beginning any repairs. This will remove any dirt, debris, grease, or oil that may have accumulated over time. If the crack is wide, it may be beneficial to use a sledgehammer and chisel to undercut the edges of the crack. This will create a mechanical method of keying the repair material into place and will help ensure that it is sealed.
Once the cracks have been cleaned, they should be filled with a high-quality concrete repair product that is designed for structural repairs. Most repair products will be able to achieve a high early strength, but it is important to keep in mind that the higher the initial strength gain, the lower the service life of the concrete.
Typically, the best option is to use a chemical bonding agent that can be applied directly to the existing concrete surface. Once the bonding agent has dried, it is possible to apply a concrete patch that will adhere to the old concrete and form a strong and long-lasting bond. If you choose this method, it is critical to use a concrete mix that does not contain admixtures that could cause shrinkage and cracking.
Repairing Slabs
There are some instances where repairing a slab simply will not help. For instance, if the slab has heaved and dropped at multiple points in the past, it will likely continue to do so. This is a situation that requires jackhammers to remove and replace the slab. Slabs that are moving this much will not be able to be repaired, no matter what concrete repair method is used.
When it comes to repairing slabs in concrete, the most common method is patching. This involves placing a new layer of concrete over the existing surface, and can be textured or smooth depending on your preference. This is a good option for small areas in need of repair, and can be completed relatively quickly.
Before patching, the existing concrete should be thoroughly cleaned. This is especially important if the slab is already in poor condition, as any dirt or debris left behind could result in the new concrete cracking or leaking later on.
Once the concrete is clean, the honeycomb voids can be cleared by chipping and/or sawing to expose solid concrete, then filling with a standard concrete repair material. It is best to use a product that is made specifically for this type of repair, as these products typically have a higher early strength and are designed to set fast.
A low-shrinkage formula is also important for slab repairs, as this will help to minimize cracking and brittleness caused by differential shrinkage between the original concrete and the repair material. Finally, the repair material should be sized properly for the area to ensure that it will adequately bond to the existing concrete and stay in place.
While many companies offer products for repairing slabs in concrete, few are able to address the root causes of the movement and provide a long-term solution. UNIQUE’s line of carbon fiber reinforcement products can be used to add tensile strength across cracks in slabs, helping them resist the typical movement that leads to failure and costly call-backs. Contact us today to learn more about our full suite of concrete repair products, and how they can benefit your project.
Repairing Floors
Concrete floors can be damaged by heavy foot and vehicle traffic, impact and exposure to freeze-thaw cycles. These factors can cause potholes, spalls and other surface damage that requires a special product designed for concrete floors. Garon has a wide range of concrete floor repair products including floor resurfacers, concrete fillers and concrete mortars.
Concrete floor surface resurfacing is a common method to repair cosmetic surface flaws on concrete floors and slabs. This method involves laying a new layer of specialized concrete or a concrete-like material on the existing concrete floor. This overlay is usually colored to match the surrounding concrete and improve aesthetics. Overlaying is only suitable for surface cracks and other surface damage to concrete floors. It is not a good method for repairing major structural problems or repairs in existing concrete slabs.
QUICK-FIX is a fast setting concrete patching and repair product for concrete floors and is specially formulated to withstand the heavy forklift and pedestrian traffic found in retail warehouse applications. QUICK-FIX can be used neat to patch and repair floor surface defects, divots, gouges, fastener holes, pinholes and spalls or mixed with silica sand, fumed silica, Portland cement or crushed aggregates to repair heaving, deep or extensive floor damage. It can be tinted with Nox-Crete’s Neptune gray color tint pak, Portland cement, organic dyes or shake-on color pigments to achieve improved color matching to existing concrete.
The cream-like substance that is popping off your concrete slabs is likely a result of efflorescence, a process in which salts leach from the concrete and are carried by water to the surface where they appear as white dusty residue. To control efflorescence, you can use a penetrating sealer that is specifically designed to stop moisture movement in concrete.
If you have a concrete problem, a reputable professional concrete contractor can offer the best solution and save you time and money in the long run. They will have the experience and expertise to get the job done correctly the first time and help you avoid costly mistakes in the future. They will also have the proper safety equipment and insurance to ensure your project is completed safely.