To know how to repair concrete, we need to know the origins of concrete.
The first known concrete structures date back to 1300 BC, Middle eastern builders used burnt limestone to harden the surface of clay structures, this layer offered protection from the elements.
This is the first known reference to what we know today as cement, and without cement we would not have concrete.
Concrete is a combination of cement, water and various types of aggregate. When placed (poured) it is in a “liquid” form and once the concrete begins to cure, it goes through a process of hardening. If the placement is according to SANS (South African National Standards) then the results are normally good, however the reality is that in the construction industry, budget and qualified personal are a limitation to achieving a good concrete placement result.
What can go wrong?
Placement – all concrete must be vibrated to eliminate air and encourage the movement of the concrete into the forms or shutters. Over vibration can result in the sinking of stone and sand to the base of the forms. It can also cause a loss of fines (small aggregate) through gaps in the forms, leaving behind honeycombing (voids) or segregation (separation).
Curing – all concrete must go through a process of curing , either by means of water or a curing compound. If concrete is not cured correctly, the results could be sever cracking caused by rapid loss of water.
Protection – freshly placed concrete must be protected from the rapid loss of water/moisture, either by plastic sheeting or hessian cloth. These methods slow down the loss of moisture allowing the concrete to cure at an acceptable rate.
With the above noted, the majority of placed concrete will require some repair, and depending on how the concrete was placed, cured and protected, would determine the severity of the repairs required, from simple shrinkage cracks to large honey combing issues.
Maxlife Solutions offers all types of concrete repair and rehabilitation, ensuring the concrete structure is in optimal condition, and able to perform as per design.