Concrete cancer, also known as concrete deterioration, is a serious problem that can cause structural damage to buildings. It is caused by low concrete cover or carbonation of concrete, and can be identified by rust spots, chipped concrete, and exposed steel. Fortunately, there are several treatments available to address this issue. The first step in treating concrete cancer is to saw off the perimeter of the repair area to eliminate the edges of the affected area.
Then, all chipped and cracked concrete must be removed to reveal the steel inside. This steel must then be cleaned and corrosion-free using different techniques. 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. 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. Chemical water repellency can be added to the concrete surface itself by applying Resistain, a waterproofing sealant for concrete. 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. An anti-carbonation coating or other specialized coating can be applied to strengthen and preserve the concrete.
Before you start, it's important to understand what specific cancer is, what you can do about it, the importance of getting expert help, and how you can prevent it from happening again. If there are voids on the surface, they need to be repaired so that the concrete surface does not crack before applying Resistain. If you suspect that a particular cancer is developing, call a concrete repair service immediately and let them diagnose and treat the problem. Resistain is an advanced liquid waterproofing sealant that is applied to concrete surfaces with a brush, roller or spray. It is immersed in concrete to a depth of 10 mm, attaches to the concrete structure at the molecular level and forms a water repellent barrier. If the surface is still soaked in Resistain, another layer can be applied since concrete is very porous. Depending on the cause of the concrete cancer, the structural engineer may recommend different solutions.
Early diagnosis and treatment will stop further deterioration of the structure and save you money which you would otherwise have to spend on ongoing repair work. A structural engineer can accurately diagnose cancer in concrete, but he may be able to determine if your building has been affected by the problem by looking for some telltale signs. If it's a case of chloride contamination in a building near the ocean, you may need specialized repair work to treat concrete cancer. If you simply trust a practical man, you can't expect a long-term solution unless that person truly understands how each of the specific symptoms of cancer are related to other possible structural problems. You don't want to agree to buy a home that hasn't yet been discovered concrete cancer just to have the problem arise in the honeymoon stage of your purchase. Although this is costly, it will fix the problem before the reinforcement and concrete suffer serious damage. This option removes the concrete around the rebar and cleans the steel before applying both the steel primer and a polymer-modified material. If you can see rust spots, see that the problem you've discovered seems larger than you initially thought or you can see the steel itself it will be a sign that the concrete has chipped and it's time for you to hire a professional to identify the cause and get to the task of rectifying the problem as soon as possible. Treating concrete cancer requires an understanding of what it is, what treatments are available, how it can be prevented from happening again, and when expert help should be sought out.
Early diagnosis and treatment will stop further deterioration of your structure and save you money in ongoing repair costs...
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