Concrete spalling is seen when the surface of concrete has flakes broken off of it, typically due to high impact, corrosion, or weathering. Concrete spalling is the process of the concrete’s surface breaking up into flakes leaving behind ugly pits once the flakes are swept away.
Spalled Concrete Repairs
Spalling in concrete occurs more often in colder climates where you have pronounced freeze-thaw cycles. DO NOT PUT SALT OR USE SALT ON ANY CONCRETE SURFACES!! Do your homework on Deicers you use. Deicers might be environmentally safe and good for the ducks but some can eat big holes in your driveway. Do your research. If you park on your driveway in the winter do not shovel your driveway totally bare. Reason being is the salt that’s on your car is actually a very corrosive road gel that will eat you driveway when it falls off or melts. With a little bit of snow on the driveway at least the snow will dilute it a bit. If you can manage parking in the garage or on the road that is your best bet. Once spalling occurs you really can’t do anything it usually gets worst because water in capillaries of the concrete expands when frozen and contracts when it thaws. Thus making the concrete flake and brake off, unfortunately spalling is almost like cancer once you have it you can only slow it down total eradication is impossible.
Porous construction materials like concrete, stone, brick are subject to salt spalling. Salt dissolved in water enters the material and crystallizes near its surface. When the water evaporates, the salt crystals expand building up stress which causes spall. These materials may be protected by the right concrete sealer, but extreme care is advised in the choice of sealant material for compatibility with the material’s breathability.
Repairing spalled concrete is best avoided by applying waterproofing sealer on new concrete. This reduces the likelihood of water-induced spalling if done within a month after laying the concrete, and then repeating the process every couple of years.
However, if spalling has already happened, it’s not good but there are solutions with pressure washing the concrete and sealing it with a custom tint to hide the affected areas.
Concrete spalling can be avoided through proper installation and careful maintenance, preserving the attractive appearance of professionally finished concrete.
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