Concrete scaling, also known as flaking or scaling, is a common issue that can compromise the durability and aesthetics of concrete surfaces. It occurs when parts of the concrete surface start to flake or chip away, eventually exposing them. This flaking or peeling is caused by hydraulic pressures caused by the expansion of water from repeated freeze-thaw cycles within the concrete. Environmental and material factors, including exposure to freeze-thaw cycles, the application of deicing chemicals, and poor curing and finishing practices, contribute to concrete scaling.
Exterior concrete must be provided with durable ingredients achieving adequate strength, density, and a proper air-void system throughout its depth by proper placement. Understanding the underlying causes and implementing effective preventive and repair measures can help prevent this problem. Factors such as overworked surfaces and improper curing can also contribute to concrete scaling.
The most common causes of scaling are related to one or a combination of factors: lack of or inadequate curing and protection. Surface scaling, mortar lift-off, and aggregate popout can occur from cyclic freezing and thawing of concrete, or from improper finishing. The responsibility for addressing scaling lies with the specifier, the concrete manufacturer, and the contractor.
In conclusion, concrete scaling is a critical issue that can compromise both the durability and aesthetics of concrete surfaces. By understanding the underlying causes and implementing effective preventive and repair measures, concrete can be repaired effectively and maintain its integrity and aesthetic appeal.
📹 Intro to concrete scaling
This video explains deicer salt scaling and how to stop it. Deicer salt scaling is typically caused when deicers are applied to the …
How do you fix scaled concrete?
Concrete replacement is a crucial method for repairing spalled concrete, ensuring a long-lasting repair. It involves removing damaged concrete and pouring fresh concrete in its place. To prevent concrete spalling, use the right concrete mix with the right amount of water, cement, and other materials. Proper curing keeps the concrete moist and at a specified temperature, enhancing its resistance to spalling. Protect the concrete from moisture by sealing it with appropriate coatings to prevent water infiltration.
Regular maintenance ensures the concrete remains intact over time, and any cracks or spalling should be repaired immediately. Avoid deicing salts, as they can be corrosive and exacerbate spalling, and use them sparingly. These steps can help prevent concrete spalling and ensure long-lasting repairs.
How do you remove scale from concrete?
Effluence and calcium deposits can be removed using two methods: a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, which can be used to spot treat and scrub affected areas, and RainguardPro Restore-N-Prep, which can be sprayed onto the surface and rinsed off with a power washer or hose. The acidity in vinegar helps break down mineral crystals, while the water helps remove the deposits. Both methods can be effective without compromising the material’s structure, but excessive mineral loss can cause the material to become brittle, so it’s essential to replace the surface if necessary.
How do you fix scaling and spalling in concrete?
Concrete spalling is a condition characterized by the disintegration of the concrete surface layer, resulting in pits, flakes, and cracks. It can lead to significant damage and compromise the structural integrity of anything built using concrete. Common repair options for spalling concrete include concrete overlays, topical sealers, penetration sealers, and concrete replacement. Concrete spalling can be caused by various factors, such as improper maintenance, improper construction methods, or improper maintenance of the concrete surface. Preventing and repairing concrete spalling is crucial for maintaining its structural integrity.
What is the difference between scaling and spalling concrete?
Scalling is a process where the surface of concrete expands deeper, causing it to disintegrate into larger fragments. Common causes include rebar corrosion, intense heat, improperly constructed joints, and crack deterioration. Delamination, a hollow plane below the surface, forms when a finish is applied before water and air can escape. When crushed, it detaches from the slab, exposing aggregate. Carbonation, a process where carbon dioxide penetrates the surface and reacts with moisture and calcium hydroxide, forms calcium carbonate, which initially hardens the concrete but reduces its pH, making it vulnerable to corrosion.
What is scaling on concrete?
Scaling is a common issue with concrete, characterized by flaking or peeling due to repeated freeze/thaw cycles. This process exposes the coarse aggregate below, with light scaling not exposing the particles, and severe scaling causing surface mortar erosion and loss exceeding 20mm. In addition to freeze-thaw cycles, improper air-entrained concrete, deicing chemicals, and poor finishing practices can also contribute to scaling. Scaling typically starts in one area of concrete but can expand to others if left untreated. Proper air-entrained concrete and proper finishing practices can help prevent future scaling issues.
What causes cement to scale?
Concrete scaling is defined as the local flaking or peeling of near-surface concrete, which can be attributed to a number of environmental factors. These include freezing and thawing, the use of low-strength concrete, the presence of deicing salts, and the ratio of water to cement in the concrete mixture.
Why is my concrete Chalking?
Laitance, also known as dusting, is a condition that affects the upper surface of concrete, causing it to break down and erode more easily under traffic. This results in a powdery or chalky appearance. This phenomenon can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including the presence of uneven pavement, surfaces, or terrain. The surface is characteristically malleable and can be removed with a fingernail or sharp implement.
How do you stop concrete from Chalking?
Concrete dusting is a common issue that can negatively impact the appearance of concrete surfaces, causing a chalky white or gray color over the natural gray of the concrete. This dusting is not indicative of failing structural strength or compromised integrity, but can be a nuisance. Concrete is created through a process that involves mixing water, Portland cement, and aggregate, such as sand or gravel, to create strong concrete. However, when the curing process is not properly completed, concrete dusting can occur.
Concrete curing is the process where the aggregate, water, and Portland cement are mixed together, and the new concrete sets at a specific temperature and moisture level. Without a consistent temperature and moisture level, the concrete will not reach its full potential, leading to undesirable conditions like concrete dusting. To address concrete dusting, it is essential to cure the concrete properly and use a concrete coating or concrete densifier if the dusting persists.
How to treat scaling concrete?
To repair scaled surfaces, use a bonded base surface and ensure the surface is dirt, paint, and oil-free. Remove unsound material using a jackhammer, chisel, and hammer. Prepare a clean, textured, rough surface for resurfacing products like concrete floor sealer. Capital Industries, Inc. is a leading supplier of commercial and industrial concrete repair products, serving contractors, factories, warehouses, and distribution centers for over 30 years.
They carry a full range of concrete repair materials, including those designed for low temperature areas like freezers and coolers. Their floor repair products are rapid hardening, allowing minimal downtime and reopening repaired areas with minimal downtime. All products are designed for in-house maintenance personnel and come with an ironclad 100 guarantee of satisfaction.
How to stop concrete spalling?
Regular cleaning and sealing of concrete can extend its lifespan and prevent spalling. Sealing cracks with specialized polymer caulk prevents water entry and freeze-thaw damage. Addressing concrete spalling is a common issue, but effective repair and preventive measures can maintain its durability and appearance. Understanding its causes and implementing these measures can help prevent damage.
Is concrete spalling serious?
Concrete spalling is a significant issue in Houston homes due to its potential to compromise the foundation’s load-bearing capacity and structural integrity. Spalling is caused by excessive moisture or water, which enters concrete through cracks or capillaries, creating different stresses. The amount of water absorbed can lead to flaking, chipping, or crumbling. Spalling can also occur when concrete hasn’t been mixed or cured properly after being laid or hasn’t been allowed to harden completely before construction.
In extreme cases, hairline cracks around affected foundation areas may widen and deepen, causing large sections of concrete to move, shift, or detach from the rest of the structure. Spalling worsens when freezing occurs, as water expands when it freezes, causing cavities within the structure to burst, resulting in more damage. Therefore, it’s crucial to address concrete spalling promptly to prevent further damage.
📹 Concrete Resurfacing – How To Fix Spalled Concrete
Concreteresurfacing #fixspalledconcrete #howtorepairconcrete In this video I’m showing you how to resurface a spalled concrete …
I have been pouring concrete flat work and structural walls since 1986 I quit school and start at 16 and third generation Concrete and Mason and I’m 50 years old now got 34+ years in a breaking my ass made it to senior project manager many different times in the past five years and nobody ever fucking has taught me the most important shit about concrete and pouring concrete then I’ve learned from you in the past two hours since I find your website I don’t know how much you appreciate a man and I’m taking myself back to school with you over the next year and i’m going to become one of the best and only concrete guys on the East Coast that still at 51 years old I’ll be I can put it down pull the stick on offload finish it hard trailer blown whatever it is and fucking tell you everything about the material so thank you again
Do you think you could go farther on this topic and talk about de-icers that do the most damage and which do least to the concrete? I’ve read some studies that magnesium chloride is the worst and rock salt is actually best. I’m doing a bit of an experiment on my own this winter, I’ve taken some extra concrete beams I’ve made this season of different mixes and air contents and kept them, and I’ve put rock salt on one side and magnesium chloride on the other to compare them. I even managed to make one of non air entrained concrete at the ACI recertification class. We got our first snow on Monday, so first application has been put on!
Hello Tyler, thank you for a lot of effort you put into all of this! I am kinda confused with different advice in different articles. As fas as I got, bleed water is helpful to avoid plastic shrinkage. But here we see that water on the top leads to formation of concrete of lower strength. So what should be done? Bleed water should be striken off but only after several hours after placement?
Hi Tyler Do you have articles on the following topics ? 1. Thermal properties of concrete structures 2. The effect of thermal shock on concrete material 3. The durability effect high temperatures have on existing concrete., does the rise in temperatures are shortening the life of concrete infrastructure ? 4. Is it possible to measure the water flowing through cracks ? 5. Repairing cracks with movement ? Perhaps in elevated slab ?
Good content and you are a charismatic speaker – I would recommend framing yourself so your hands are in view at all times so they are not popping in and out of frame. Seems better to leave the background in (totally fine to shoot in your office – you are a professor) than to have software remove the background, which leaves a weird line around yourself. I would also leave the music out – informational youtube articles typically don’t have music. The ones that have music are the ones where a guy is showing off a technique and only talking intermittently.
Sir Ley thank you for the very informative articles you are sharing. They’re very helpful in my work. What I would like to know also are what are other causes of scaling aside from those caused by deicing salts, improper curing and finishing (I assume the condition you are talking about in this article is that the concrete is properly proportioned). What if the concrete is not properly proportioned but finished and cured properly? Will this also cause scaling? We don’t have snow in our country. I ask this question because I have seen newly constructed pavements but scaled too early. Thank you very much.
Can this situation happen with natural freeze-thaw cycles or does salt need to be present? The article is unclear on this point. Within a week of winter, my patio was poured. Five days after the pour we started to have very cold and freezing weather at night. During the day the weather was warm enough for thaw. There were a few days of rain during this time and a dusting oi snow on the 19th day after the pour. Curing temperature was poor. The concrete was left unprotected. No salt was needed. After 19 days we had scaling. It possibly started sooner but was noticeable after the snow especially in areas where the snow was left standing instead of cleared.