Concrete slabs Melbourne is an exceptionally long-lasting building material, yet it may still present some difficulties. Luckily, there are ways to address any potential issues.
Troubleshooting involves identifying issues and coming up with solutions to address them. This article will highlight six of the most frequently occurring concrete issues and their solutions – so let’s get cracking!
Cracks
Cracked concrete surfaces are an extremely common problem, whether during or after placement. While surface cracks often do not compromise structural integrity, they may serve as conduits for moisture and salts that cause corrosion and spalling. Surface cracks typically do not extend beyond a few millimeters wide and appear as fine lines (craze or map) on its surface; their source could include freeze-thaw cycles, poor construction practices or alkali-aggregate reactivity.
Cracked concrete may also be indicative of drying shrinkage, restrained thermal contraction or concreting errors; though not generally considered serious in their cause or severity. Cracked surfaces should still be monitored regularly to detect their progress and monitor them for their potential spread.
Wider cracks may indicate structural issues, such as shifting foundations. They should be evaluated by an experienced professional to ascertain the source of cracking and recommend appropriate repair solutions.
Discoloration
Concrete is a durable, versatile and popular building material; however, like all construction materials it degrades over time and may cause discoloration, shrinkage and scaling issues that must be dealt with immediately to prevent further damage to structures.
One of the more frequent problems associated with concrete pouring is air loss, caused by long vertical drops, higher initial slump or increased pressure. While this issue doesn’t cause too many problems it could adversely impact strength of concrete structures.
Blistering concrete surfaces is another common problem, often caused by air bubbles trapped beneath its sealant surface. To reduce this hazard, professional contractors who employ proper formwork should be used. Should an issue arise that requires professional intervention, concrete cleaners might help or stronger chemicals like hydrochloric acid may provide more lasting solutions.
Leaks
Leaks in concrete occur when water seeps through pores or cracks and evaporates, leaving behind white crystallized material known as efflorescence. Although not considered structurally detrimental, efflorescence should be monitored as it indicates prolonged exposure to moisture – potentially leaving concrete vulnerable to further degradation over time. An excellent penetrating concrete sealer will help stop leaks while prolonging its life span.
Errors during construction such as using too much water in the concrete mix, improper consolidation and curing procedures and excessive amounts of added water can cause issues with scaling, cracking, honeycombing, efflorescence and spalling in your finished concrete work. Use eSUB software as a reliable concrete contractor software to prevent these from arising during your building process.
Weakness
Concrete is a durable material used in structures from the Pantheon to the Colosseum. However, concrete can also be fragile and vulnerable to damage over time without proper care and attention being provided by its user.
Concrete can become fragile if given insufficient space and moisture for curing, leading to cracking that poses potential danger for you and your family.
Concrete may suffer from segregation and bleeding, in which the cement paste separates from aggregates in its mix, usually caused by lack of water or improper mixing; poor placement and handling are also major contributing factors to segregation and bleeding issues. To mitigate such effects, water-reducing admixtures and placing concrete during cooler weather should be used.