old concrete building

Tips to Maintain Your Concrete

There is nothing eternal, each building structure deforms over time as a result of mechanical influences and the influence of the natural environment. Concrete is a durable building material that is made on the basis of cement and is also susceptible to destruction. Therefore, many private developers are interested in what to do if concrete crumbles and how to maintain concrete.

 

The Main Causes of Destruction

The main factors of deformation of concrete structures:

 

  1.   Moisture that gets into the voids of the building material. Every person from school physics lessons knows that water can take 3 states: steam, liquid, ice. After freezing, water crystallizes and expands. Accordingly, water trapped in the voids of the structure expands in winter and destroys it.

 

  1.   Sharp changes in ambient temperatures.

 

  1.   If in the process of pouring a poor-quality building mixture was used, the composition of which did not comply with building codes.

 

  1.   For the mobility of the cement slurry in the process of its manufacture, additional water was added, and no special additives were used.

 

  1.   Structures at the stage of hardening and curing of the solution are not provided with proper care. In order for the solution to acquire the required level of strength, it must set gradually over several days. To do this, in hot weather, the flooded foundation is sprayed with water and covered with a film, in winter it is heated with special devices (mats, electric cables).

 

How to Maintain Concrete and Prevent it From Crumbling  

Recommendations of concrete repair contractor Rockwall Tx for maintaining concrete and for the prevention of crumbling of concrete structures:

 

  1.   When preparing the building mixture on your own, it is necessary to additionally use water-repellent additives. To ensure the homogeneity of the mixture, increase the strength, it is necessary to add plasticizers.

 

  1.   It is recommended to treat the already poured foundation with a hydrophobic compound.

 

  1.   If the concrete structure is constantly exposed to moisture, it must be impregnated with a water-repellent agent under high pressure. To do this, you need to use special equipment.

 

The concrete surface must be maintained. It is not recommended to put into operation concrete structures earlier than the set time. The setting period of the cement slurry is 28 days. During this time, concrete is gaining strength characteristics.

 

hand tool

Concrete Foam Repair Aftercare

Concrete foam repair is not a simple job both industrial and private construction. However, many inexperienced workers who specialize in the repair or construction of buildings neglect the maintenance of the concrete surface, believing that pouring is the final stage. Meanwhile, the provision of conditions for the correct hardening of the solution allows you to guarantee the maximum strength and durability of the structure being erected.

 

Basic Rules After Concrete Foam Repair 

It is believed that concrete acquires the required strength precisely at the stage of hardening (maturation). For this reason, you should treat the surface with the utmost scrupulousness, ensuring:

  •   the minimum shrinkage rate of the solution poured into the formwork;
  •   protection of the structure from temperature drops;
  •   sufficient moistening of the surface before hardening to avoid cracking;
  •   protection against exposure to chemicals or mechanical stress.

 

Foam Repair – Formwork

It is categorically not recommended to dismantle the formwork structure until the structure has gained 70% of its strength. In order for the process to proceed at the proper level, immediately after pouring, it is necessary to inspect the formwork for leaks or geometry violations. It is possible to eliminate the shortcomings in the first two hours after laying the 

mortar: the mixture should not give in to shaking at the time of setting.

 

Microclimate

Another important aspect is the creation of optimal microclimatic conditions. After pouring the solution into the formwork, the surface should be covered with a film, preventing it from drying out in hot weather and freezing in winter. Recommended humidity for solidification is 90%. Providing such indicators guarantees that the concrete has the required strength and stability indicators.

 

Hydration

In no case should you speed up the concrete hardening process using a hairdryer or similar equipment. Such a solution will only harm the structure, because, without gaining the required strength, the solution can exfoliate or crumble. Among other things, the resistance of the structure to chemical, atmospheric, mechanical influences decreases, and the risk of shrinkage cracks formation increases.

To avoid such consequences, it is necessary to cover the surface with a film for at least 8 hours. After removing the polyethylene, the screed must be moistened by spraying with water. Such measures must be taken if the air temperature is above +5 degrees.

If the ambient temperature is below +5 degrees, it is not required to take measures to moisturize the structure. On the contrary, the surface must be additionally insulated by covering it with rags, sawdust, etc.