What is "Concrete Cancer"?

Corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete structures is well known to be "Concrete Cancer", which is a significant worldwide problem and causes multi-billion dollars losses  to the infrastructure and building owners each year. The detection, diagnosing and appropriate treatment of this complicated problem requires very special expertise in this field.

How Can we Help?

SydneyWidePainters.com offer consultancy on corrosion of reinforcement in concrete structures. Our extensive experience in condition survey, corrosion investigation, development of remedial and maintenance strategies and specifications are your benefit.

Concrete Cancer or Spalling  is a time bomb ticking away in many industrial, commercial and even residential buildings. With the post war building boom, Australian architects commenced a love affair with concrete which reached its peak about 10 years ago. But a number of buildings which incorporated untreated concrete in external applications are now showing signs of surface deterioration and even structural failure.

The problem is that concrete can be affected by loss of protective alkalinity due to reaction with atmospheric carbon dioxide.  Where this occurs chemical changes can take place in the concrete which reduces its strength. Worse still, steel re-enforcing within the concrete can rust and the pressure this creates can cause the concrete to crack and crumble. Buildings in coastal areas are especially at risk.  The most frightening thing is that the corrosion can be going on under the surface and will not be noticed until the concrete starts visibly disintegrating.

One solution is the use of a protective coating. A number have been developed by paint manufacturers and some have now been in use for over 10 years and continue to give good protection.  The range of cements aggregates and other constituents in use is so wide, however, that care is necessary in assessing the type of coating most appropriate.  Due to roughness, coating defects, etc. the use of a sealer, filler or levelling coat may be required.

Concrete cancer can be treated but, like the real thing, prevention is better than cure and property owners could save themselves thousands of dollars by inspecting concrete surfaces and applying protective coatings before structural failure occurs.

Spalling Concrete

Spalling or Concrete Cancer has the possibility to affect any building in which reinforced concrete was used in its construction - floor slabs, stairs, balconies, walls, columns, beams and pathways.

Spalling concrete is the process in which the steel in the concrete is affected by rust. The early treatment of spalling concrete will not only cause less damage to your building, but will be less expensive to repair.

Our use of a system devised by Sika (Australia) Pty. Ltd., a leader in the manufacture of repair compounds, ensures a sound solution to the problem.

Structural repair strategies

Our work includes concrete repair, brickwork repair and facade repair. We also solve building roof waterproofing problems through the use of various types of roof membrane systems.

We undertake:

• building facade restoration
• marine structure repair
• civil structure repair
• heritage restoration
• industrial plant repair

Just like people, a house or structure can be attacked by illness and when the symptoms point to Concrete Cancer it's time to call the professionals. Our remedial builders will know just the treatment for your property, and best of all, they'll make a house call.

We are a contracting company that is highly experienced in remedial and restoration work of Concrete Cancer. Over the years, many buildings have been constructed quickly or to a tight budget so eventually they need repairs. Natural weathering is also a factor in the breakdown of materials and the signs become obvious with age.

A building shows the typical signs of Spalling Concrete Cancer, or rusty reinforcement steel showing and crumbling concrete falling away. Some steel is too close to the surface and has inadequate cover so this will need rendering and waterproofing. The spoilt concrete must be removed carefully by using appropriate tools to avoid damage to the surrounding area — we want to replace the ruined concrete, not the entire structure.

When treating concrete cancer, first the spalled concrete is removed. Any rust affected steel is cleaned, treated and replaced. The area is repaired to the original concrete profile using cement mortar, epoxy mortar or concrete, depending on the size of the damage and the structural requirements. Cracks are repaired using suitable epoxies, special mortars and injection techniques.

Our core capabilities include the management and execution of thoroughly-formulated structural repair strategies. We repair building facades. We repair high-rise commercial office buildings. We repair public buildings. We repair high-rise residential buildings. And we repair civil structures. We also undertake heritage restoration to buildings and structures.