Consider "Fifth Step" of Concrete Repair to Ensure Integrity and Durability

Every year, incomplete concrete repairs and insufficient corrosion protection cost building owners throughout the United States considerable money and time. A simple, yet often overlooked, "fifth step" of concrete repair has proven successful worldwide in ensuring the integrity and durability of concrete repairs - while significantly lowering overall lifecycle costs.

It is estimated there is more than 9 billion cu. yds. of "in-place" concrete in the United States, most of which is more than 20 years old. The use of concrete in construction has continued to grow rapidly, from approximately 220 million cu. yds. in 1990 to 400 million cu. yds. in 2004. This significant quantity of concrete and strong growth rate of concrete use in construction translates into a U.S. repair market of more than $18 billion (USD) per year.

Consult an engineer

These statistics indicate that the typical repair involving deteriorated concrete and corrosion of reinforcing rebar will become more frequent. Before defining a specific repair method, it is necessary to consult an engineer with the appropriate expertise for an assessment of the key dynamics behind the deteriorating concrete. The engineer examines the extent of structural damage, along with a determination of the cause, in order to design a material repair system that will ensure integrity and durability of the structure.