Six common concrete problems and how to fix them

When it comes to construction, concrete contractors are a few of the most in-demand stakeholders in any project. That's because concrete still is a popular material when it comes to building structure. Because of its versatility and endurance, most contractors still prefer to use concrete up until today. However, the process of using concrete isn't all that easy. There are times that things don't usually go as planned, which can affect the overall output of the project.

No matter how easy concrete is when used, concrete can degrade as the year’s past. Fortunately, there are ways to help you slow down its wear and probably even fix the damages.

Concrete issues can vary from discoloration, scaling, and other various challenges. That's why it's crucial to conduct routine inspections to resolve the problem before it gets worse.

The list will cover the primary concrete challenges as well as how to solve them. Even more, it can even preserve the appearance of your structure as well as its durability.

Cracks

Cracks are one of the most common problems that people encounter when working with concrete. If not resolved, these cracks can seep into the bottom of the slab after a couple of months. Then, it'll reach through the subgrade. Thus, affecting the stability of the project. To fix these issues, you need to replace the concrete structure entirely.

As soon as you see any small cracks, you can fix it by cleaning any loose material out of the damaged areas. Then, you can fill it with concrete filler to restore its appearance. Also, applying a sealant product once the patch has cured can help strengthen it.

Crazing

Another common issue when it comes to working with concrete is crazing. It's a network of tiny cracks found in the concrete's surface. It often occurs when you use an improperly mixed or cured cement during the installation process. Although these cracks won't work their way into the structure's foundation to create an impact, the fine lines can reduce the property's aesthetic value.

To prevent crazing from happening, concrete contractors often perform a quality installation process. However, if it occurs on an aesthetic indoor concrete structure, you may still fix it by applying a layer of epoxy paint to cover the cracks. Unfortunately, surface hardeners and sealers can make the cracks appear more noticeable. So, it's only practical to add a layer of resurfacing concrete to cover it.

Discoloration

There are times when concrete can also have light or dark patches because of improper installation techniques. Stains from materials such as automobile fluids and cleaning chemicals can cause it, too. So, as soon as you notice any stains or discolorations, it's best to address it as quickly as possible. Doing so will prevent the stains from seeping in and spreading throughout the entire concrete slab.

You can scrub the stained part with a stiff brush that's dipped in a diluted vinegar solution. Doing so will somehow halt the stains' progression and might even restore it to its original appearance. Meanwhile, more potent chemicals like diammonium citrate or hydrochloric acid can do the job for severe discoloration problems. However, since these solutions are too strong, it's always ideal to ask help from an expert before using any of them. 

Scaling

Scaling often occurs during winter months, primarily when you use de-icing salts on concrete. Although it's an effective way to eliminate all the ice, it'll slowly lose the surface material and continue until the damaged areas get repaired. One effective way to solve this problem is by adding a new layer of resurfacing concrete. Once you've completed applying the new concrete layer, you need to let the material cure for at least 24 hours. Then, the contractors will use a waterproof finishing treatment for additional protection.

Buckling

Another issue that you might encounter is buckling. If there are massive trees around the property, there's a big chance that the roots will grow under the structure. Thus, causing the slab to split apart. The same case can happen when the slab gets exposed to extreme freeze-thaw cycles and heat exposure. To fix the issue, you need to get rid of the concrete's damaged part, along with the roots that might have caused the damages. Next, the concrete contractors will install a large patch to protect the buckled area from cracking and splitting.

Curling

Concrete curling happens when there's a sudden shift in moisture and temperature of the concrete slab's top and bottom surface. Once this happens, there’s a chance that the concrete slab's surface can lose its support from the base. To prevent it from happening, concrete contractors should use proper curling techniques. They can place the joints correctly. Then, they can either use water-reducing admixtures or low water content with the largest possible aggregate size. Once it's complete concrete contractors can guarantee that the slab has properly bonded once they apply thin topping mixes. It's essential to use just the right amount of topping combinations when reinforcing steel in the concrete slab. Doing so will make it look more polished and cleaner. Finally, they need to place the concrete on a damp but absorptive sub-grade. Putting it in an absorptive sub-grade will prevent the bleed water from getting to the top of the slab.

Extra costs of coming up short of concrete

• Overtime for the crew
• A short load charge from the ready-mix supplier
• A cold joint can occur (where one pour ended, and another pour began)

Three steps to ordering enough concrete:

• Use the concrete calculator to calculate how much concrete you need.
• Figure depths and widths have been built on the site, not merely what the plans say.
• Add a margin of safety.

Rule of thumb for margin of safety:

If your order is Order this much extra

1-5 cubic yards .5-1 c.y. extra

6-10 c.y. 1 c.y. extra

11-20 c.y. 1-1.5 c.y. extra

It can be upsetting to end up with any extra concrete. After all, you'll be the one to pay for it. However, you need to understand that ordering just the right amount can help you complete the task as what your client expects.  

Requesting your ready-mix supplier to visit your site

After choosing a Ready-Mix Supplier, have a representative come to your site to give his/her opinion on the quantity required. Compare the figure with what you came up with. Discuss any variances with the supplier.

Your ready-mix supplier is invaluable for checking your view of job conditions. They also play a significant role in checking your margin of safety and identifying underlying issues. Lastly, they can also help you in informing you of any local conditions you need to know.