Over the years we have performed numerous concrete restoration and repair projects in Kamloops, BC and know what your concerns are….Cost, Budget, and Construction.
There are certain conditions under which using a patching compound and resurfacing product will only result in merely a short-term fix. Under these conditions, patching the concrete prior to resurfacing or doing a decorative topping would be a waste of time and money, as the surface or topping would soon display the same characteristics as the concrete you tried to repair.
These conditions include:
- Deep, widespread cracks where settlement has occurred. This may be due the weight of large trucks, improper preparation of sub grade, or the erosion of the sub grade
- Concrete slabs that have sunk, may be a result when the sub grade was not prepared properly, possibly loose dirt may have been used for the sub grade. When this dirt settles-sometimes due to sprinkler or rainwater going under the concrete- the concrete is then unsupported and will be more susceptible to sinking. It is also possible that the sub grade was compacted and the concrete was subjected to extreme weight, in which case, caused the concrete to sink.
- Concrete slabs that show obvious signs of frost heave. Frost heave is very common in cold climates. Moisture in the ground freezes and the concrete pushes upward.
- Concrete slabs that have so much spalling or pitting on the surface that is it more economical to replace the concrete rather than prepare the entire surface for resurfacing and resurfacing the concrete.
Under any of the above conditions it will be better to remove and replace the concrete.
There are a myriad of other reasons why concrete will need to be removed on a project:
- Addition to a commercial or residential building requires removing concrete that is in the way of the addition.
- The entire structure is being removed of which the concrete is a part of the structure.
- There is faulty concrete construction which the owner wants torn out and replaced.
- Old curbing is to be removed for street improvements, road widening, etc.