How to Repair Crumbling Concrete

When concrete lacks density, it suffers from the vagaries of time. It becomes porous, even crumbly, and disintegrates. Less resistant than before, it cracks and weakens the structure. The plaster, coating, or paint that covers it no longer adheres and comes off.

We give you all our tips for repairing a crumbling concrete wall and repairing a concrete surface.

How to prepare resistant concrete?

Let’s start at the very beginning. To prevent your concrete from crumbling over time, you need to prepare a quality composition. For this, it is important to control the dosage of water. The chemical reaction of cement powder depends on the amount of water. If there is too much, the surface is weak in cement and the concrete becomes porous. Be careful not to add too much water.

You must then let the concrete harden for a minimum of seven days, ideally twenty-eight days. During hardening, the mixture must remain moist. For a design and solid concrete, protect it from the sun and the wind so that it does not dry out.

How do identify the condition of a concrete surface?

Before concrete repair, you need to determine its condition. Concrete is in excellent condition and is easy to define: if you pour water on its surface, it does not immediately become wet. Good concrete that is already a few years old may darken upon contact with water, but if the surface is smooth and no holes are visible, it remains in very good condition.

Tip: scrape the surface with a metal tool to check the solidity of the aggregates.

When the concrete is in poor condition, it is friable on the surface. It crumbles easily when rubbed, although it has few cracks. If several blocks are broken and the concrete is crumbly despite the thickness, then it is better to destroy the wall and start again with new concrete.

How to densify concrete?

When the concrete is in poor condition, you must first densify it. For this, there is a silicate-based densifier. Cover your concrete with it to fill the pores and penetrate them deeply. Repeat two or three times before starting any other procedure.

When the concrete is densified, you can seal it with finishing concrete. Please note that the operation will depend on the product purchased. Some land on dry concrete; therefore, it is advisable to apply a hardener based on potassium, sodium or lithium before starting. You will sometimes find it in stores under the name of “concrete glue”, suitable for both low-carbon concrete and conventional concrete.

Which sealant to choose?

To guarantee the stability of your concrete, you must choose the right sealer. On the market, there is a water-repellent sealant, which makes the surface waterproof. This concrete adhesive prevents dirty water stains and frost bursting.

However, we advise you to choose a penetrating sealer, which crystallizes on the surface of the concrete without being visible. If you have to apply a new coat every five years, you will nevertheless find that it allows more resistance to wear.

The most economical but least effective solution is the protective sealant. It forms a film on the surface of the concrete but it wears off quickly, alters the color of the surface, or peels off over time. If you opt for this option, prefer a poly aspartic-based sealant rather than an acrylic-based one.

By following the different steps prescribed in this article, you should be able to overcome the crumbling of your concrete. Whether it is the facade of a low wall, a house, or another structure, take the time to determine the condition of the concrete and carefully read the instructions for the products used during the concrete repair.

Call the Experts

If you’re not sure whether your cracked concrete requires expert repair, don’t take a chance: get a Concrete repair Houston specialist to come out and inspect it. They will not only examine the damage but will also investigate the cause of the damage and provide you with an honest evaluation of what you should do.