Scaling is the regional flaking or peeling of a finished exterior of solidified concrete due to vulnerability to freezing and thawing. Generally, it begins as localized little patches, which later may integrate and expand to expose extensive areas.
Light scaling will not uncover the coarse entirety. Intermediate scaling will reveal the aggregate and may pertain to a loss of up to 1/8 to 3/8 inch of the exterior mortar. In intense scaling, more of the exterior is forfeited, and the aggregate is uncovered and stands out.
Professional concrete contractors can help you mitigate concrete scaling and flaking. This blog outlines ways to help you prevent concrete flaking and scaling.
Air-Entrained Concrete Mix
Concrete disclosed to freezing and thawing rotations must be air-entrained. Extreme exposures demand 6 to 7 percent air contents in freshly mixed concrete made with 3/4-inch or 1-inch aggregate. In medium exposures, where deicing salts will not be utilized, 4 to 6 percent air will be acceptable.
Air-entrained concrete of intermediate slump and sufficient quality should be utilized. Generally, a concrete strength of 3500 psi [24 MPa] for freezing and thawing disclosure and 4000 psi [28 MPa] when deicers are utilized should be sufficient to stave off scaling.
Avoid Deicing Salts
DO NOT use deicing salts, such as calcium or sodium chloride, after setting the concrete. Use sterile sand for traction. Also, don’t use ammonium sulphate or ammonium nitrate as a deicing salt. These are chemically assertive and destroy concrete exteriors.
Impoverished drainage, which allows water or salt to stand on the exterior for lengthened periods, greatly expands the harshness of the exposure and may cause scaling. This is often seen in trenches and sidewalks where the snow from plowing keeps the surface wet for extended periods.
Rightful Curing
Provide proper curing by utilizing a liquid membrane curing compound or by coating the surface of the newly positioned slab with wet burlap. Curing guarantees the adequate response of cement to water, known as hydration, which permits the concrete to accomplish its highest potential stability. Only certified concrete services can provide such curing.
Avoid Early Finishing Operations
DO NOT conduct any finishing procedures with moisture present on the surface. Bull floating must promptly pursue initial screening. Postpone finishing operations until all the bleed water has ascended to and evaporated from the surface. This is crucial with air-entrained concrete in dry and windy situations where concrete that is starting to bleed again may seem dry on the surface.
Weather Protection
Safeguard the concrete from the severe winter climate. It is crucial to deter the recently placed concrete from becoming drenched with water before freezing and thaw cycles during the winter. Apply a commercially available silane or siloxane-based breathable concrete sealer or water repulsive classified explicitly for use on concrete slabs. Follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for application methods and frequency.
Another option is a 1:1 mixture of boiled linseed oil and mineral essences spread in two layers. The concrete should be well dry before the application of a sealer. Late summer is the perfect time for exterior treatment. The sealer can be sprayed, dusted, or rolled on the exterior of the concrete.
Read also: Benefits Of Hiring A Professional Concrete Contractor
Pursue These Rules to Prevent Scaling
- For intermediate to intense exposures, use air-entrained concrete of medium slump and remedy correctly.
- Do not employ deicers in the foremost of winter.
- Fill the surface with a commercial sealer or a mixture of boiled linseed oil and mineral essences.
- Utilize accurate timing for all rounding-out operations and avoid the use of steel trowels for outer concrete slabs.
- Restrict air-entrained concrete. In chilly weather, the concrete temperature should be at least 10C, comprise an accelerating admixture, and be positioned at a downward slump.
About SprayForce Concrete
SprayForce Concrete Services Ltd. is COR certified and has been administering Calgary and the area since 2010. Our American Concrete Institute-certified nozzleman on our team has the knowledge in both wet and dry mix shotcrete application, structural shotcrete repairs, shotcrete soil nail walls, slope stabilization, erosion protection, structural walls, architectural rock and shotcrete swimming pools.
We proudly serve the communities of Calgary, Airdrie, Banff, Canmore, Chestermere, Cochrane, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Prince George, Grand Prairie, Kelowna, Kamloops, Invermere, and Vancouver.
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