Concrete Repair & Protection

Concrete has been used in construction for many years and it has proved itself as a very versatile, high performance long lasting construction product. Despite high quality construction and resistance, damage can occur even to concrete. Concrete repairs and additional protection are therefore necessary. Different internal and external influences can have a long-term effect on the resistance of concrete. Through the typical use of concrete bonded with steel, so-called reinforced concrete, one of the most important damage mechanisms is corrosion of the steel reinforcement. This usually occurs because the concrete carbonates in the area that covers the steel or chloride ions (e.g. from de-icing salt) can penetrate the concrete. Further damage arises when moisture continuously enters through cracks which in turn promotes rust on steel and also causes frost damage.

Environmental influences can be exhaust gasses, acid rain, frost and de-icing salt, but also simply carbon dioxide from the air. These either cause damage directly or change the chemical properties of the concrete so that the steel reinforcement in the concrete starts to rust. Since rusted steel is larger in volume than non-corroded steel, compression stress results, causing the covering concrete to crack and burst. If the reinforcement is too close to the surface, such damage can occur at a very early stage if the concrete is not protected.

Concrete repairs can only be successful when the concrete repair is restored, as close as is possible, to its original state. Once the concrete repair is made it is important to provide future protection to the concrete repair and the surrounding area. This can be achieved in a number of ways either by using rust inhibitors or concrete impregnation creams to protect the concrete against the ingress of corrosion promoting substances (e. g. water, other liquids, vapour, gas, chemicals) and biological forms of life.

Alternatively surface treatments like facade paints can give high water repellency, excellent hiding power of discoloured or damaged concrete, CO2 inhibiting effect which prevents carbonation, water vapour permeability (allowing the building to “breath”) and they also provide limitless possibilities for decoration.

All of our concrete repair products are professional grade products brought direct to you from our range of manufacturers. If you require help or advice in choosing the right concrete repair product please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our technical advisors.