What is Concrete Spalling and What Causes It?

What is Concrete Spalling?

If you have a concrete surface in the colder areas of the country, it has most likely seen many weather-damaging seasons—which can wreak havoc on your concrete. If your concrete walkway, patio, or swimming pool deck was poured many decades ago, it most likely has some pitting, chipping, or surface flaking. This is what concrete professionals call spalling—and it’s not pretty. This article explains what causes it and how to be able to make your concrete look like new with resurfacing.

What Causes Concrete Spalling?

Spalled concrete can be caused by:

• Freeze-thaw Damage due to Cold Climate Locations: When water seeps into your concrete and freezes, it expands which can cause the surface to chip, crack, and cause overall surface damage.

• Rebar Corrosion: When underlying metal rebar within the concrete corrodes, it pushes against the concrete and causes spalling.

• Chemical Damage: When you expose your concrete to chemicals like salts and deicing agents, this can lead to spalling.

• Concrete Contractor Error: Spalling can also occur is if a concrete contractor did not prepare the concrete mix properly before pouring or did not use best practices when finishing.

What Can Be Done to Fix Concrete Spalling?

The first thing to do is to call a qualified concrete contractor who has extensive experience in restoring and resurfacing old, worn concrete. Gruttadaurio Masonry at (315) 310-7193 will offer an onsite evaluation of your concrete to determine if your concrete can be repaired and saved, or if the damage is more than cosmetic, in which case resurfacing or replacement may be necessary. There are several approaches our concrete spalling repair experts may recommend:

• Surface Patching Method:

  Our concrete professionals will remove any loose concrete, prepare the surface, and fill in the chipped areas with a patching compound. After the curing time is complete, a sealant will be applied to help prevent future surface damage.

• Concrete Resurfacing Method:

  If your concrete has more extensive damage, you may want to consider concrete resurfacing. This is when new concrete is laid over the entire surface after proper preparation has been done. Not only will this make your patio look like new, this is a good opportunity for you to create a brand new look to your area. You can choose to add a new integral color to your concrete to liven up your outdoor living space. There is a wide variety of concrete finishes to choose—from traditional broom finish to decorative stamped concrete.

• Stamped Concrete Resurfacing: If you'd prefer a more sophisticated, decorative treatment, beautiful stamped concrete is a great option. Stamped concrete not only kicks up your home's curb appeal a few notches, but it also increases your property value. The stamps used can mimic various types of stone, slate, brick, and even wood planks. You can choose from a variety of colors, textures, and patterns. We recommend adding an accent color to the surface of your stamped concrete, also known as antiquing. This will add depth and bring out the details of the stamp for an even more realistic look.

Concrete Resurfacing, Before and After 

Sometimes our cosmetic concrete restoration services may not be enough. In some cases, the entire slab may need to be replaced if the damage is severe enough due to structural issues. That’s when Gruttadaurio Masonry steps in. This would require that the existing concrete be torn out and a brand-new concrete slab be installed. Gruttadaurio Masonry offers free, on-site inspection of your concrete and will provide a free detailed estimate.

How Can I Prevent Concrete Spalling?

• Ensure Good Drainage

When installing a new concrete patio or pool deck, your concrete contractor will need to ensure that it is graded for proper drainage. In certain instances, a drainage system can be installed. Of course, Gruttadaurio Masonry takes all the necessary steps to ensure that will not pool causing potential damage to your concrete.

• Proper Concrete Mix is Vital

One of the ways to prevent spalling is to hire a concrete contractor who is reputable and ensures that the concrete mix they use has the correct water-to-cement ratio and has been properly cured.

• Use High Quality Materials

Your concrete contractor should be using the highest quality concrete materials and reinforcements that are resistant to chemical and environmental damage.

• Apply a Concrete Sealer Regularly

For new concrete surfaces, after the concrete has properly cured, your concrete contractor will need to apply a sealant to prevent water from penetrating the porous concrete. To help keep your concrete in top shape, you should reseal your concrete every few years.

Proper Sealing is Required Every 2-3 Years

Conclusion

At Gruttadaurio Masonry we serve our customers in a way that makes the most sense. For example, if your concrete has extensive surface spalling, we would rather that our customers choose a concrete resurfacing solution, rather than starting from scratch since resurfacing less costly than a total tear out and starting from scratch. If your existing concrete has structural issues and it cannot be repaired or resurfaced, you can trust that Gruttadaurio Masonry will build it to last by using the highest quality materials and qualified concrete craftsmen. Call us at 315-310-7193 or email us to set up an appointment so that we can inspect your current concrete and make recommendations for you that makes the most sense.