As one of the most common and reliable building materials in the world, concrete is used in commercial and residential structures everywhere. If you walk through Indianapolis, Indiana, it is almost impossible to find a road, building, sidewalk or signage that does not contain concrete. Even though concrete is extremely strong, it is still susceptible to withering, cracking and other types of damage.
Concrete significantly impacts the appearance, structure and sustainability of commercial buildings. Therefore, damaged concrete can weaken the support of a building, causing potential safety concerns and lessening its curb appeal. If your building is experiencing wear and tear, concrete repair and restoration services should be a top priority.
Concrete restoration services are a cost-effective way to repair existing concrete without tearing down your current structure and building a new one. Repair and restoration services focus on fixing structural issues without compromising the look and aesthetic of the existing construction, allowing you to keep your customers, employees and assets safe and comfortable.
Common Types of Concrete Damage
Concrete damage can be caused by factors like extreme weather conditions, the quality of the original concrete, weight bearing capacity limitations and unexpected disasters. All types of concrete damage are an immediate reason to make repair and restoration a priority.
Structural Damage
Concrete walls, pipelines and slabs are at a high risk for structural damage. The expansion and contraction of concrete during extreme temperature surges, earthquakes and tremors, and the casting and de-shuttering process can all cause structural damage.
Chemical Damage
Chemical processes can cause concrete structures to crack and disintegrate. Any commercial buildings prone to chemical actions have an increased likelihood of experiencing chemical damages like carbonation, sulfate attacks, chlorides and leaching.
Reinforcement Corrosion
Chlorides are the main culprit of reinforcement corrosion. The presence of chloride tears away at concrete, causing rapid deterioration to structures surrounded by seawater, including bridges, piers, dams, docks and harbors.
Fire Damage
Not only does smoke impact the appearance of concrete, the heat produced during a fire decreases its strength and elasticity. Most concrete structures that become damaged from fire are unsafe to rebuild upon and need to be repaired right away.
Blast Damage
Direct and indirect explosions place concrete structures under extreme stress, causing them to crack and break apart. Even though concrete has a high blast-resistant capacity compared to other building materials, the impact of explosions will make the structure unsafe.
Insufficient Reinforcement
Any errors made during reinforcement installation can cause severe concrete deterioration. Poor concrete quality, improper design, incorrect steel bar spacing, improper aggregates and larger slab spans are common installation errors that are responsible for cracks and other types of damage.
Excessive Loads
Even though concrete is a strong building material, it has its limits. When concrete has an excessive amount of weight placed on it, the overload can cause it to crack or fail completely. It is important to pay attention to the load bearing capacity of your concrete to ensure you do not overload your structure.
How to Properly Maintain Concrete
With any commercial building, you want to get the most out of your investment. Therefore, it’s important to properly maintain your concrete to prevent future damage. The right maintenance can extend the life of your concrete and prevent serious damage from occurring in the first place. Whether you want standard concrete to stay clean and bright or decorative concrete to maintain its beauty over time, there are three easy ways you can properly maintain your concrete and keep it looking fresh.
- Clean it. At least once a year, you should deep clean your concrete to remove dirt and grime buildup, rust and stains. A little bit of cleaning will go a long way for the look and feel of your structure.
- Repair it. As soon as you notice a concrete crack or an uneven slab, you should call in restoration professionals right away to fix it. Repairing cracks and leveling out slabs minimizes potential water intrusion and safety hazards.
- Seal it. Sealing concrete floors and walls is highly recommended to minimize water intrusion, eliminate dirt from collecting and prevent weeds from sprouting. Sealing also keeps dust from collecting on the surface of concrete floors and walls, slows abrasion and enhances resistance to UV sunlight.
Has your concrete structure seen better days?
When your concrete structure becomes damaged, worn down or cracked, it’s important to call on concrete repair professionals right away. Since 1937, Robert Haines Co. has provided concrete coatings, repair and restoration services to commercial buildings in Indianapolis with unmatched quality, excellent workmanship and exceptional customer service.
When we handle concrete restoration and repair projects, we evaluate every factor contributing to the damage of your concrete structure in order to come up with the best solution for the problem. With 85 years of expertise in concrete restoration services, no project is too big or too small for our experienced team. Contact Robert Haines Co. today to bring your concrete structure back to life.