Reasons for Concrete Scaling
What are some of the reasons for concrete scaling?
At some point, all concrete will break down. One sign that something has gone wrong is when it starts to scale. What are some of the reasons for concrete scaling? Let’s find out together!
Air Entrainment Issues
Air entrainment is simply a more technical way to describe how air is injected into workable concrete. This technique is necessary for further protection against the freeze-thaw cycle. Even on its coldest days, that wouldn’t sound like a problem in the summertime. But you need to think beyond the current time frame. What will your concrete look like in a few months? Will it last that long? You don’t know. That’s why monitoring and maintaining concrete is so important.
Subpar Finishing
Another issue could arise from the finishing process. Bleed water shouldn’t get into the concrete mix either. This creates a higher water/cement ratio. Although that doesn’t sound too bad, it really is. The surface will be weak and lack durability. That’s the exact opposite of what you want concrete to do. The concrete can’t be overworked either; this is as bad as it sounds. This means that there isn’t as much air content in the surface layer. It could make the concrete more brittle, and thus prone to cracking or breaking in hot summer weather or scaling in the bitter cold of wintertime. One final problem has to do with how much curing time the concrete had before it set.
Not Enough Curing Time
No matter what it is used for, concrete needs ample time to cure. Without it, the concrete might not be as stable or as solid as you would expect it to be. One of the reasons why concrete scaling might become a problem is simple: it didn’t have enough curing time. There will be a weak surface skin, which will lead to a host of problems that can be a nuisance in the summer and even worse in the winter. Why is this the case? The freeze-thaw cycle can exacerbate matters. Luckily, there are six months to go before you need to think about that problem.
Prioritize Safety with G&M Services
G&M Services is proud of our employees and the dedication they have for safety in the workplace. We reward our employees for displaying positive safety practices. We incorporate weekly and monthly discussions and meetings to ensure that all involved are aware of how to handle equipment and potential situations that could occur during a project.
G&M Services offers services in the way of concrete drilling and sawing, concrete scanning, and Firestop. To get started with us, call today at 410-787-8828 or visit our contact page. Follow the official company page today on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
