How Will I Know When My Concrete Needs To Be Repaired?
30th November 2020Concrete is a common and versatile choice of material for surfaces such as driveways, patios and garages which is easy to install and finished off with a layer of concrete sealer. In commercial applications, this can be expanded to areas such as industrial buildings, factories, warehouses or carparks too.
As durable as concrete is, wear and tear will naturally occur over time when it is used externally and is exposed to strong weather conditions. This becomes more likely if you have omitted to use concrete sealer following application. The weakening of your concrete installation can have a significant impact on the integrity of your building. Therefore, you’ll need to be an expert at looking out for the signs that your concrete is in need of repair.
Cracks In Your Concrete Installation
A major sign that your concrete installation needs repairing is if you spot cracks appearing in the surface. This can be driven by the impact of weather conditions, which have forced the ground beneath to expand or contract, placing pressure on the concrete surface above. This may also be the case if you experience heavy rainfall which is followed by a long period of dry weather which will impact the soil surface beneath your concrete layer.
Drainage Problems
If your concrete installation experiences a pooling of water following a downpour, then you may have a drainage problem. Where the water is unable to drain away naturally, the pooling on top of your concrete layer will cause excess wear and tear on the surface of your installation. If you have applied Resiblock concrete sealer on top of your concrete application, then you don’t need to worry as this will prevent the surface from being damaged. However, if you have used a substandard sealant, or the waterproof layer has worn thin, then it may be time to recoat the surface.
Shabby Appearance
Over time, your concrete may begin to look shabby and less aesthetically-pleasing. This can be the case where the colour and condition of your concrete pavers or surface look worn. Concrete will age and may need to be repaired or even replaced to provide you with a fresher look for your home or commercial business.
Uneven Concrete Layer
If you look at your concrete and it appears to be somewhat uneven, then unfortunately this could be a sign that you have some problems with your foundations that need serious attention. This might include floors that start to slope or sink, cracks in your walls, decorative problems such as torn wallpaper or crumbling and cracked concrete surfaces. Uneven concrete is one of the most urgent installation problems and may require foundational work and a complete replacement of the concrete above at this stage.
Always seek expert advice on your concrete application before determining the type of remedial work which is required. In case of both repair or replacement of the surface, following up with quality concrete sealer will help to prolong the life of your investment.
When to use concrete sealer?
Resiblock’s concrete sealer can be used as soon as 8 weeks after a fresh application. This allows the surface area enough time to dry out completely. You must always prepare your concrete surface thoroughly before beginning the application. This means cleaning it to remove any stains or loose debris. Your cleaning procedure for the new installation should be the same as if you were preparing bare concrete.
What are the right conditions for applying concrete sealer?
If you have noticed problems in your concrete installation and wish to apply sealant as part of your repair work, then you may be anxious to complete this step. However, it’s important to wait until the conditions are perfect before you begin applying the concrete sealer. Best results are obtained when you work in an environment with plenty of ventilation as well as it being reasonably warm. A temperature of between 10 to 30 degrees Celsius would be ideal, and it’s essential that you avoid any extreme weather conditions. Always check the forecast to avoid the possibility of a downpour also.
How quickly can you access your concrete following repair work?
The great news is that you only need to use a single coat of Resiblock’s concrete sealer to offer protection for your installation or repair work which significantly speeds up the application time. Provided you have followed the application guidelines, your sealed concrete installation should be able to welcome both foot and vehicle traffic in as little as 24 hours.
If you have any queries about using concrete sealer following a reinstallation or repair work, then please feel free to get in touch with our professional customer service team here at Resiblock. We’re available on 01268 273344.