Using concrete on a variety of surfaces has now become the preferred option for homeowners. This is because concrete is considered one of the strongest building materials available in the market and one of the easiest to maintain. However, certain factors such as the weather can make the concrete more vulnerable to wear and tear. One example of damage that can result from bad weather conditions is scaling or flaking.

Scaling and flaking

Scaling is a result of freezing and thawing cycles, wherein water that seeps through pores on the surface freezes, which causes the concrete surface to scale off or to peel off. Scaling usually causes the loss of about 1/8 to 3/8 of the surface, which could be deep enough to expose the aggregate under the concrete surface. Other factors that can cause scaling include the use of non-air-entrained concrete, insufficient curing, application of calcium deicing salts, and finishing concrete while bleed water is still on the surface.

Resurfacing

To repair scaling or flaking damage, one of the most viable options is to resurface the concrete. Doing so involves making sure that before the new surface is placed on the old one, that the surface is free of oil, dirt and paint. Another important step is to make sure that any weak parts of the old surface is removed using a chisel, jackhammer, or sandblasting. This is because the strength of the new surface greatly depends on the strength of the base or old surface to which it would be bonded. As an additional pre-caution against scaling, a different and stronger mix should be used for the new surface, and the new surface should also be coated with a concrete sealer as to avoid water seepage.

Concrete is the preferred option for most homeowners for their building needs. This is mainly because of the relative strength of the material. However, a number of factors, which includes extreme weather, can render a concrete surface to be highly vulnerable to damage such as scaling. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to repair such damage, which includes resurfacing the concrete surface with better and more durable concrete.