Spalling concrete is a common problem that can cause extensive damage to your home. If left unchecked, it can lead to structural instability and expensive repairs.
The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to repair and prevent spalling concrete. In this article, we will share with you 5 tips to repair and prevent concrete from spalling. Keep reading to learn more!
Identify the Cause:
Spalling concrete occurs when water seeps into exterior brick or concrete walls, freezes, expands and causes the surface to flake off. This process occurs most often in areas where there are high winds or poor drainage systems. It can also occur when moisture from construction activities enters the wall and freezes, such as basement wall spalling occurs when there is a leakage in basement wall pipes.
Remove the Damaged Concrete:
The next step in repairing spalling concrete is removing any damaged pieces of concrete. If it has already broken off, then you should use a hammer and chisel or other tools to chip away at it until it falls off on its own.
If not, then you will need to drill holes into the concrete where possible so that you can break up the rest of it using an angle grinder or jackhammer. Once all of the damaged pieces are removed, remove any remaining dust using a vacuum cleaner or compressed air (make sure not to damage any pipes or electrical wires).
Repair Damaged Iron or Steel Bars:
After removing damaged concrete, replace them with new ones. This step is important because if you don’t replace the damaged bars, they could break during the repair process and cause further damage.
Fill Cracks and Holes:
Once you have repaired the iron or steel bars, fill any cracks and holes in the concrete with concrete patching material. Make sure that your patching material matches the colour of your existing concrete so that it blends in seamlessly with your driveway. Once it has dried, brush away any excess material before sealing it with an exterior paint/stain product.
Seal the Concrete:
After filling any cracks and holes in your concrete driveway, seal it with an exterior paint/stain product that matches your existing driveway. This will help prevent moisture from seeping into your driveway and causing more damage in future years.
The bottom line:
Repairing and preventing spalling concrete takes time, but it is worth the effort.