Concrete cancer, also known as concrete deterioration, is a serious problem that can affect the structural integrity of a building if left untreated. It is caused by the exposure of steel inside the concrete to air and water, which accelerates the corrosion and deterioration of the building. The simplest treatment for concrete cancer is to repair the areas of concrete that are damaged, rather than completely removing the concrete and having to replace the entire wall. The most effective way to prevent concrete cancer is to waterproof the concrete.
This will help protect it from water damage and other elements that can cause corrosion. If you suspect that your building has been affected by concrete cancer, it is important to have it checked by a professional (such as repair site builders or waterproofing contractors) to find out what type of repair work needs to be done. When carbonation of concrete and concrete does not cover steel properly, polymer-modified repair is often used. This method starts by removing the concrete around the affected area and cleaning up the rusted steel.
Then, a steel primer is applied and a polymer-modified material is placed on top. An anti-carbonation sealant is usually also placed over the entire surface of the concrete to reinforce its strength. If the damage caused by concrete cancer is moderate, you may be able to remove damaged concrete, clean and replace oxidized and exposed steel, and fill in cracks. In this process, all chipped and cracked concrete is removed to reveal the steel inside, which is then cleaned and corrosion free using different techniques.
Another preventive treatment for concrete cancer is to repair minor cracks and other damage to the concrete as soon as you notice them. This is especially important for concrete in exposed areas, as water entering the concrete through the cracks will cause the problem to worsen quickly. Remedies may include site-specific electrochemical treatment for near-ocean properties, or simply removing damaged concrete, cleaning or removing affected steel, and replacing with new material. Six common causes of concrete cancer are poor waterproofing, formation of saltwater chlorides in buildings near the sea, construction defects, weather, poor quality concrete and insufficient concrete cover, and ground movement under construction that causes cracking. Cracking accelerates the concrete cancer process by exposing more steel, significantly weakening the building. If it's a case of chloride contamination in a building near the ocean, you may need specialized repair work to treat concrete cancer.
Concrete Cancer Can Slowly Kill a Building If It Doesn't Stop. If left untreated, not only is it unsightly, but pieces of concrete can come off and fall off the building, posing a risk of injury to people passing by and damage to other properties. The cost of treating concrete cancer depends on the size of the surface that needs to be treated and the severity of the damage. Repairing severely damaged concrete can cost thousands of dollars, so it may not be cost-effective compared to replacing it. Concrete cancer treatment may be possible and much cheaper if the problem is detected early. Waterproofing your building's concrete is essential for preventing concrete cancer.
If you suspect that your building has concrete cancer, it's important to have it checked by a professional as soon as possible so that it can be treated before it worsens.
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