Home » Understanding Your Issues » Spalling Concrete

Understanding concrete spalling

Concrete cancer is caused when the steel reinforcing within a concrete slab begins to rust. As the steel rusts it expands, displacing the concrete around it, causing it to become brittle and crack thus accelerating the process.

Crazing and cracking concrete (concrete spalling)
Rust stains which seem to leak out from within the concrete
Bubbling (also called Plating) of concrete render
Leaks which appear in overhead concrete surfaces

The dangers of concrete spalling

Concrete spalling – especially on the outside of a building – not only looks terrible, but it is potentially dangerous too. Over time, and with increased exposure to the elements, untreated pieces of concrete may fall from your structure. The risk is it falling and damaging property, or even worse, hitting a person walking below.

The causes of concrete cancer

There are a number of reasons your building may have spalling concrete. The more common reasons include:

A poorly poured substrate which has allowed moisture to seep into it through cracks and voids
Inadequate preparation of the reinforcing steel when the original concrete was poured.
The ends of the reinforcing are too close to the surface. In heavy rains, water may seep through causing lime and other chemicals in the steel to oxidise.
Incompatible metals being used in close proximity to each other, thus causing a reaction which allows water into the slab
Stress fractures from bearing weight or general wear-and-tear allow water to penetrate the concrete and react with the steel

For more information, or to speak with one of our concrete spalling specialists, please contact the Remedial team.

Exposed Rust Reinforcement Bar - Concrete Cancer - Remedial Building Services

Rust Form On Reinforcement Left Exposed - Concrete Cancer - Remedial Building Services

Rust Reinforcement on The Concrete - Strutural Building Solutions - Remedial Building Services

Cracking On The Underside Of The Balcony - Structural Repairs - Remedial Building Services

Damaged Wall 2 - Concrete Cancer - Remedial Building Services

Spalling On Underslide Of Slab - Concrete Repair - Remedial Building Services

Concrete Repair Work - Structural Repair - Remedial Building Services

Concrete Spalling - Concrete Cancer - Remedial Building Services

Concrete Spalling - Structural Repair - Remedial Building Services

WHAT YOU SAID

Overall, the quality of the work, the attention to detail and the respect to residents by the entire team from Remedial was outstanding. The Residents, Shareholders and Board members of Lancaster Gate Pty Ltd were very happy with the outcome,

David Malcolm – Chairman

The detail, the recommendations, etc are perfect and I would like to say you have set the benchmark gold standard for me. I deeply appreciate your expertise, professionalism and commitment to doing the best job possible.

Kathleen – Strata Manager

With the works recently being completed to my unit I would like to express my satisfaction with not only the quality of the work but also with the courtesy, professionalism and responsiveness of all the workers with whom I dealt.

Linda (Resident)

The Owners Corporation thanks Remedial for the delivery of the refurbishment project at Beauville. The quality of the workmanship, skill and care shown to our client is much appreciated given the difficulty in working in a fully occupied property whilst attending to such a substantive scope of works in the transformation, both inside and out, of a 50 year old high rise in an exposed position.

Jim McDonald – Strata Manager

We have always received high quality work and very good project management. Advice given has been accurate, timely and cost effective. Very happy with the service.

Phil Baldwin - Chair Executive Committee, Owners Corporation

You have every reason to be proud of your team, and as our list of known remediations resulting from our water ingress problems gets towards its end, I just want to acknowledge your leadership and management of all the projects you have seen us through. We would have no hesitation in recommending RBS to other Stratas!

Rod Kefford – Owner’s Corporation

RELATED SERVICES

Building Façade Repairs and Upgrades

When it comes to your building façade maintenance and refurbishment, we create a customised solution based on budget and desired results.

Structural Building Solutions

You can be assured of quality workmanship and a specialised solution that covers structural remediation of concrete, steel or timber.

Concrete Repair

Treat the signs of concrete spalling, cracking and delamination.

Cladding Replacement

Do you need a competitive quote to rectify non-compliant combustible cladding on your building.

Fire Rating Solutions

We can rectify any fire related problem on your building.

HBCF Warranty Claims

Working alongside your insurance company, we can provide you with a cost-effective solution that works.

Building Façade Repairs and Upgrades

When it comes to your building façade maintenance and refurbishment, we create a customised solution based on budget and desired results.

Structural Building Solutions

You can be assured of quality workmanship and a specialised solution that covers structural remediation of concrete, steel or timber.

Concrete Repair

Treat the signs of concrete spalling, cracking and delamination.

Cladding Replacement

Do you need a competitive quote to rectify non-compliant combustible cladding on your building.

Fire Rating Solutions

We can rectify any fire related problem on your building.

HBCF Warranty Claims

Working alongside your insurance company, we can provide you with a cost-effective solution that works.

LATEST NEWS

Stay up to date on the latest thoughts, trends and news in building repair and maintenance

Who we are – A Remedial Building Services Overview

13 May 2021. By Jeff Anderson

You may have noticed (or if you are new to the blog – welcome) our habit in these blogs is to give you a smattering of information about an area we think will add value to you, the reader. We don’t necessarily want to talk about who we are, but in this piece we make an exception. Today, we give you an overview of Remedial.

Aparment With Windows And Balconies - Façade Upgrades - Remedial Building Services

Remediation and maintenance tips for Strata Managers

19 April 2021. By Chris

We recognise your struggles as a Strata Manager are real and wanted to take the opportunity to look at some key maintenance considerations which you need to be across. After all, knowing what is important to fix, what is an aesthetic issue only and what will cause ongoing issues is something that not everyone is skilled in.

Balcony - Building Facade - Remedial Building Services

The Ins and Outs of balcony Repair

12 April 2021. By Simon

Our advice to owner occupiers, building managers and strata managers is this: Keep an eye out for obvious signs of balcony disrepair. It may be nothing, but having an engineer or structural repair specialist attend earlier than later could go a long way to minimising the damage and thus minimising the cost of repair.

Spalling Concrete