What Does Concrete Cancer Look Like?

Common signs of concrete cancer include cracking, crumbling, or flaking of concrete, rust spots or bubbles on concrete or cement plaster, and leaks in the ceiling and walls. Concrete cancer is the spread and worsening of concrete shedding, which is caused by the oxidation of steel within a concrete slab. This process causes the steel to expand, displacing the surrounding concrete and making it brittle and prone to cracking. Watch for signs such as concrete chips, rust spots that seem to leak from inside the concrete, bubbles from concrete plaster, or leaks that appear in raised concrete.

Cracking accelerates the deterioration process by exposing more steel, which significantly weakens the building. The cost of treatment for concrete cancer depends on the size of the surface that needs to be treated and the severity of the damage. It is important to consult a professional and get advice on the type of repair work that needs to be done. The solution typically consists of removing the concrete around the reinforcing bars and cleaning the steel, before applying both a steel primer and a polymer-modified material.

To minimize the risk of concrete cancer in a building, it is important to constantly maintain it with waterproofing coatings and inspect it regularly for imperfections. If you have detected signs of concrete cancer in your building, it is recommended that you entrust the repair work to an experienced professional.