Concrete spalling and concrete repairs

What causes spalling

Concrete protects the steel reinforcement inside it. Over time, moisture, salt air and carbonation reach the steel, which rusts and expands to several times its original size. That pressure cracks and pushes off the surrounding concrete, the classic signs are rust stains, cracks and chunks of concrete falling from slab edges and balconies.

Spalling is a safety risk as well as a structural one. Falling concrete can injure people below, so it needs attention quickly.

Our repair process

1. Locate and mark affected areas, sounding for drummy concrete.
2. Break out damaged concrete back to sound material and expose the corroded steel.
3. Clean and treat the reinforcement, or replace it where section loss requires, to the engineer’s specification.
4. Reinstate with repair mortars suited to the location and exposure.
5. Apply protective coatings and make good the finish to match.

Licensed work is carried out by appropriately licensed trades in line with NSW requirements. Ask us about licensing for your specific scope.