There are several concrete and cement issues commonly faced by property managers and owners. This helpful guide to concrete and cement issues will help you identify and solve the problems you are facing with your concrete and cement surfaces.
Cracking
Concrete cracking |
Cracking in concrete is an irregular defect that forms in a similar way to asphalt pavements: transversely, longitudinally, or diagonally within a particular panel. Concrete panels are constructed with joints that are used to control the expansion and contraction of a panel by controlling the cracking between panels in a uniform manner that can easily be repaired. As with asphalt pavements, cracks can be due to base or subgrade insufficiency, climate conditions and concrete aging.
Because concrete is less flexible than asphalt pavement, aging and climate condition changes (i.e., temperatures) have a greater affect on the cracking of panels. Furthermore, the cracks allow moisture and other harmful elements to enter the base and subgrade, leading to faulting and settlement of concrete panels.
If cracking is infrequent, cracks can be sealed with a sealant material that protects against the seeping of moisture and other harmful elements into the base and subgrade. For more serious cracking problems in concrete panels, concrete patching is necessary.
To learn about Cracking repairs,  click here.
Concrete Spalling and Surface Deterioration |
Spalling
Spalling, which is an advanced problem formed in constructed joints or concrete cracks, consists of material fragments chipping off or breaking away from the edges of the concrete. Minor spalling includes small flakes of concrete material chipping off and progresses to larger wedges of material. If left unattended, this spalling increases the crack's width exponentially and eventually leads to serious tripping hazards and complete failure of the concrete panel.
As spalling develops from cracks, either in joints or across concrete panels, this problem is also remedied by the same scopes as those to remedy concrete cracking.
To learn about Spalling repairs, click here.
Faulting and Settlement
Faulting and Settlement are issues that occur in places where adjoining and abutting panels or segments join together. When "Faulting" and "Settling" occur, these panels or segments separate vertically at the cracks.
Concrete cracks leading to Settlement |
Due to this separation, a significant difference in height between the panels or segments occurs creating a serious trip hazard and liability issue. Both faulting and settlement occur due to the settlement of soft base and subgrade, warping of slabs due to temperature changes, or the effect of moisture gradient changes on base and subgrade or on the slab.
Most traditional remedies to faulting and settlement include removing and replacing the entire concrete area. More recently a remedy has included pumping an epoxy type material into the base of the concrete panel to essentially lift the panel or slab to the proper elevation. This remedy is only available in some geographic areas but is expanding quickly. U.S. Sealcoat & U.S. Paving is one of the only providers of this service in the country. To learn about Faulting and Settlement repairs, click here.
Surface Deterioration
Much like the asphalt raveling or other types of surface deterioration, concrete surface deterioration includes the flaking away and the general wear of the surface. As the concrete surface binder starts to wear away, the aging and roughness of the surface increases; eventually, aggregate particles become loose. After severe surface deterioration takes place, larger aggregate particles are lost and pitting extends to significant depth, jeopardizing the concrete base or subgrade.
Before significant deterioration leads to pitting and other more serious issues, concrete overlays are possible with emerging products that provide an abrasion-resistant surface for the concrete. Overlay depths and material strengths depend greatly on the concrete use and the issues faced. U.S. Sealcoat & U.S. Paving offers one of the most extensive concrete overlay coating offerings in the country.
To learn about Surface Deterioration repairs, click here.
If you are experiencing concrete issues, ask for a Free Pavement Analysis from U.S. Paving & U.S. Sealcoat and put our 20+ years of professional experience to work for you.
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