Concrete is one of the world’s most durable and long-lasting building materials. From bridges and highways to sidewalks and parking lots, concrete structures can last for decades. Despite its strength, concrete is not as invincible as it seems, and may require concrete repair. It all depends on the environment it is in, weather elements and the quality of its construction. All of these things can lead to your concrete pavement cracking and failing sooner than it should. Understanding why this happens and how to address these issues through concrete repair, concrete crack repair, and pavement repair is crucial for extending the life of your concrete pavement.
Cause of concrete deterioration:
- Moisture & Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Moisture is one of the primary reasons that concrete fails. Water seeping into the concrete will undergo the freeze-thaw cycle during the winter months. As that water expands and contracts it causes cracks and surface degradation. Over time, the repeated stress of these will compromise the structure, causing a need for concrete crack repair.
- Corrosion of Reinforcement: Most concrete structures contain steel reinforcement bars (rebar) to add strength to the structural integrity. However, with concrete being so porous, when de-icing salts and water penetrate the concrete, it will begin to rust the rebar. Rebar that has started to rust will begin to expand, leading to cracks and spalling. Significantly reducing the structural integrity of the concrete pavement.
- Chemical Reactions: Concrete is susceptible to certain chemical reactions, like alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and sulfate attack. ASR happens when the silica in the aggregates starts reacting with the alkali in cement, forming a gel that absorbs water and expands, causing cracks. Sulfates from surrounding soil or water can also react with concrete, weakening it over time.
- Poor Construction & Materials: Improper mix ratios, low-quality materials, inadequate curing, and simply subpar workmanship can lead to premature concrete failure. Improperly mixed or cured concrete is more prone to cracking and deteriorating under stress as well as heavy traffic.
- Excessive Loads and Stress: Concrete pavement is designed to withstand certain loads. However, when it experiences excessive weight beyond its design, heavy traffic, or sudden impacts, it can experience premature cracking. This is especially common in parking lots, requiring concrete pavement repair.
Solutions to deterioration in your concrete pavement
- Concrete Repair: Spotting issues in your concrete early is key to preventing costly, extensive repairs or possible full replacement. Methods such as patching, resurfacing, and epoxy injections will help restore structural integrity and extend the life of your concrete.
- Concrete Crack Repair: Cracks in concrete should never be ignored. There are plenty of techniques like polyurethane or epoxy injection, routing and sealing, and overlay applications that can effectively repair cracks in your concrete and prevent any further damage caused by water infiltration.
- Concrete Pavement Repair: Heavy traffic can take a toll on concrete pavement, often requiring repair. Whether you’re facing failed or buckled concrete in your parking lots and sidewalks, or cracks that pose a trip hazard, timely section replacement can prevent further damage to surrounding areas. We offer effective concrete pavement repair solutions to address these issues and ensure the safety and longevity of your surfaces.
- Protective Coatings and Sealants: These are your most effective solution to preventing penetration of your concrete pavement. It will protect the concrete from the harmful effects of de-icers. It will significantly reduce the penetration and effects of water, which is the main factor that causes cracks.
- Proper Maintenance and Inspection: Regular maintenance, such as cleaning, sealing joints, and inspecting for early signs of damage, will prevent major failures in the concrete over its lifespan. Property Managers and Municipalities should invest in routine inspections and assessments of their pavement to prevent any much-needed costly repairs in the future.
Strength with Care
While concrete is certainly a strong and durable material, it is not immune to damage. Proper care and maintenance will greatly extend the life of your concrete pavement. Elements like the weather, moisture, chemical reactions, poor workmanship, and excessive heavy loads will contribute to the early deterioration of your concrete. However, reaching out to McConnell & Associates for timely concrete repair, concrete crack repair, and any preventative concrete inspections will greatly extend the lifespan of your concrete pavement. Whether it’s commercial concrete or the walking path at your city park, proper care and maintenance will keep your concrete in its peak shape for many years to come!
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