If you have been in the construction business for any length of time, you have probably heard the term spalling concrete. In the construction industry, it describes when concrete is splashed on the surface of a job and then removed. The resulting concrete lump is very attractive and can be used as a decorative or functional material in many applications. However, in some cases, spalling concrete can create unsightly water stains and can leave unsightly seams.
There are several reasons that spalling concrete has been occurring more lately. One of these reasons has to do with the materials that contractors choose to build with when they are building homes. Over the last decade or so, new home construction has become increasingly inexpensive. Contractors have been able to use this lower cost to make homes with inferior quality products without spending a larger amount of money on tools or materials. This can cause problems, such as spalling concrete when contractors try to repair the concrete.
As stated before, many times contractors will spall concrete just to repair a problem they are having with the exterior of their house. For example, if there is too much water sitting on the surface of the garage, contractors may decide to repair the area to prevent water damage. Unfortunately, they end up causing even more damage to the garage because they did not properly repair the problem in the first place.
Another reason why some homeowners may end up repairing the surface instead of repairing the issue at its source is that they think the damage is too severe. In these cases, homeowners should call a contractor specializing in surface repairs before they do anything else. Even minor damage that is caused by improper repair techniques can easily become larger and more expensive if not corrected in a timely manner. If water seeps into an area where it is not supposed to, or if an area has been painted over, it may be necessary to repair it from the inside out.
Sometimes the spalling concrete fix is necessary after a structure has been torn down. This occurs more than you might think and it can cause problems for any home. When home construction crews rip down a building or structure, they sometimes do not take care to level the site properly. The ground may have been leveling prior to the tearing down of the structure, and this can cause additional stress on the ground beneath the surface. Once the teardown is complete, the soil may no longer be level, and this can create a big problem down the road.
Homeowners who need to spalling concrete repair may end up repairing the surface improperly, causing even more stress on the already strained budget. If the repair is not properly done, the area will be filled with cracks and holes, which can increase costs even more. Instead of spending money and time fixing the damage, homeowners should invest in hiring a contractor who specializes in this type of repair. The contractor will make sure that the area is leveled properly and will patch up any cracks and holes in the concrete. The repair job will last for years to come.
Homeowners can prevent the problem from ever occurring by consulting with contractors who are knowledgeable and experienced in the area of repair. There are certain factors that play a role in whether a concrete surface will spalling problems or not. Factors such as the amount of water, the quality of the soil, and the climate are important factors that need to be considered before any repair is carried out. Even if there has only been slight damage, homeowners should still contact professionals who can help them fix the problem before they spend money and time taking it to a building site to have it repaired. In the long run, repairing spalling concrete will save money on future construction costs because the problem won’t return.
When the spalling concrete fix is needed for any home, the homeowner should first identify the cause of the problem. This way, a homeowner can then choose the right kind of repair. If the problem has to do with poor water drainage, the homeowner may choose to pour a concrete sealer over the surface and then use landscape fabric to cover the repaired area. If the problem is due to poor soil quality or poor maintenance, the homeowner should remove rocks and remove any excess roots from the soil surrounding the foundation. These steps will improve the soil and make it more suitable for the foundation to absorb water and keep the area dry.