Reinforced concrete is a widely used structural material which, when properly specified and constructed, is capable of delivering years of maintenance-free service. However, exposure to aggressive environments, physical damage, inadequate design and poor construction can all lead to loss of integrity and failure creating the need for concrete repair.
Steel reinforcement is used to provide the tensile properties that are needed in structural concrete. When reinforcement corrodes the formation of rust leads to a loss of bond between the steel and the concrete, with subsequent cracking, delamination and spalling of the concrete, exposing the steel to further corrosion.
In order to carry out an effective concrete repair, it is essential that an appropriate investigation of the cause and extent of the damage or deterioration is carried out by a suitably qualified professional. Once this is established, concrete repair is normally effected by removing the defective concrete, cleaning and protecting the corroded reinforcement before reinstating with a proprietary concrete repair material. Smaller repairs would normally be hand placed; larger repairs can by shuttered and poured or even sprayed back in.
It is also important to consider the exposure conditions and assess the benefits of providing additional protection to minimise the risk of future deterioration.
At Gunite we have over 100 years of senior management experience in the assessment and repair of concrete. We are approved installers of all of the major national concrete repair material manufacturer’s systems and can call on their expertise to provide specifications and recommendations to produce a fully co-ordinated solution.
All of our concrete repair works are covered by our own free-of-charge Company Guarantee; we can also offer a fully independent Insurance backed Guarantee scheme for a one-off premium.
