Concrete Repair is a very strong and durable material but it degrades over time due to several environmental factors. It is recommended to repair concrete as soon as possible to avoid major structural damage. There are various methods of repairing concrete and they depend on the extent of the damage.
The first step in repairing concrete is to identify the cause of the damage and determine if it is significant. For instance, cracking resulting from design, detailing or construction errors may pose significant safety concerns while the cracking caused by intrinsic volume changes such as drying shrinkage, thermal expansion or contraction is not necessarily a serious concern.
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Next, it is important to prepare the concrete for repair by cleaning it thoroughly. For example, the cracks should be cleaned and the area should be free of loose debris. A suitable bonding agent should also be used. The most common bonding agents are concrete repair mortars. These are mixes of Portland cement and aggregates with a polymer additive that results in high bond strength.
Another crucial step in repairing concrete is to choose the right material. The repair material must have a compressive strength similar to the existing concrete. It is also important to consider the effect of thermal expansion and contraction on the selected repair material.
Finally, a proper curing regime should be established. This is to ensure that the repaired concrete achieves its full strength and durability.