Guide to Reinforced Concrete Repair in the UK

Reinforced concrete plays a crucial role in the stability of a building. But what happens when the reinforced concrete pillar develops cracks or gets damaged due to harsh weather? That’s when you need a reliable repair for the reinforced concrete structure.

Besides harsh weather conditions in the UK, a lack of attention to detail by the workers during the construction may be a reason for its decay. However, as soon as you notice a crack or a damaged area in the concrete, you should take immediate measures to repair it.

In this blog, we will discuss how to repair reinforced concrete structures in your building.

Reasons for Reinforced Concrete Structures' Deterioration in the UK

The main reason for the failure of the structural integrity of reinforced concrete might be the weather. The freeze-thaw cycle, where water seeps into the concrete crack, freezes, and expands, damaging the concrete structure.

Additionally, heavy rainfall and damp weather are not ideal conditions for the health of the concrete. Moreover, at the time of casting the concrete, a lack of sufficient cover on the structure might lead to structural defects. A small crack at the time of concrete construction might lead to large-scale faults in the system.

Signs That Your Concrete Structure Needs Repair

You know that your reinforced concrete structure will need repair if you see a hairline crack on the surface, partial crumbling of the concrete, damp patches, or other signs. These things suggest that your reinforced concrete structure needs significant structural repairs.

Besides, if you see the crumbling part of the reinforced concrete structure has exposed the reinforced bars, you know for sure that there is a serious issue with the structure. In such a case, the additional surrounding area of the structure should be discarded and repaired with new concrete materials.

Common Types of Concrete Repairs

In the UK, you will see some ordinary concrete repairing cases, including patch repairing, recasting, applying protective coating on the surface and others.

a. Patch Repairs

In case of minor defects on the reinforced concrete structure, a patch repair can be undertaken. In the event of a hairline crack, a small amount of concrete mix is applied to the crack to prevent further deterioration.

b. Recasting or Sectional Replacements

In the event of slight damage to the reinforced concrete structure, recasting may be necessary. To resolve such structural defects, recasting of a part of the concrete structure might be required.

c. Crack Injection

To repair the cracks on the reinforced concrete, epoxy resin and polyurethane chemical grout injection can be used. The primary difference between these two types of injection is that epoxy injection is more effective on a dry surface, whereas polyurethane injection performs well on a wet substrate. 

The latter is more suitable for sealing a wet surface to stop an active leak. On the other hand, the epoxy injection is used in sealing off dry cracks in concrete. It offers excellent tensile strength.

d. Surface Coatings and Sealants

To protect the concrete structure from decay and the development of cracks, a protective coating is applied. Such coating works as a barrier against the moisture in the environment and also do not allow CO2 in the air to react with the concrete.

Latest Repair Technologies Available in the UK

As the construction industry becomes more technologically advanced, so do its activities. Let’s take a look at the latest technologies used in repairing reinforced concrete construction.

a. Carbon Fibre Reinforcement (CFRP)

To strengthen the concrete structure carbon fibre mixed with polymer matrix is used. The powerful carbon fibre is mixed with polymer resin and applied to a reinforced concrete structure. The polymer resin binds the carbon fibre together to increase the tensile strength of the concrete. 

b. Hydrodemolition Techniques

High-pressure water from a jet spray is used to remove concrete from the reinforced concrete structure. The hydrodemolition technique carefully removes concrete from a particular portion of the structure without damaging the reinforced concrete bars.
The technique is ideal for repairing a damaged concrete structure without damaging the undamaged portion of the structure.

How Professionals Repair Reinforced Concrete in the UK

To repair a concrete structure, professionals inspect the damaged area of the concrete and attempt to determine the best repair method. Then the surface is prepared, and the repairing material is applied. Once the repairing materials are applied the curing of the concrete gets started.

Once the concrete curing process is complete, the long-term maintenance of the concrete begins. 

How to Choose a Trusted Concrete Repair Contractor in the UK

You should always go for a local concrete repair contractor to repair the concrete structure of your building. A local contractor will understand the weather conditions of the area and common issues faced by other residents in the area. He will be able to guide your properly.

Moreover, you can ask for local references for you to verify the contractor’s credibility and experience in the field. Ensure the contractor understands the nature of the concrete damage to apply the correct material for its repair.

Next time you start reinforced concrete construction work, give us a call. With us handling your project, you won’t need a repair contractor for years.

Conclusion

A reinforced concrete structure can be durable, but it is also vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. Additionally, poor construction methods are another reason for damaged reinforced concrete. So, always rely on professional expertise when constructing a reinforced concrete structure for your residential and professional use.