What to do in case of concrete cancer

Concrete cancer is one of the most common conditions observed in concrete constructions. This is a degenerative condition in buildings that result due to contaminants or the action by weather in association with atmospheric properties. The result of these influences could bring about rusting of concrete reinforcement bar or a range of any other concrete failures, the most prevalent one being carbonation or what is also called as alkali �" silica reaction.

These days, it is hard to find a home built without the use of concrete. If not laid properly, concrete can report a seriously degenerative condition known as concrete cancer. This condition will necessitate immediate repair failing which the consequences could be unbearable. The most obvious reason for concrete cancer is the rusting of the steel reinforcement inside the concrete. While rusting, the steel expands displacing the concrete around it. With such a displacement, more water penetrates through the cracks affecting the steel thereby worsening the rusting problem. Such expansion of concrete results in delaminating and spalling. Spalling can be understood as condition where the concrete cracks and breaks away. There are several effects of spalling. Spalled concrete looks horrible. It is a dangerous condition since the pieces might fall off on the people under. This condition could also seriously weaken the building structure.

Concrete cancer condition could result from several causes like poorly treated reinforcing steel while pouring the concrete. If the ends of the reinforcing is too close the to surface, then there are more chances that water can seep inside. This will result in fractures in the concrete. Once you suspect that the concrete has been subjected to cancer, it is very crucial that you resort to treating the condition as early as possible. If you leave it unattended or delay the treatment, then it could mean a serious damage to the structure, which might also turn irreparable. The other point to note here is that the treatment of concrete cancer is to be done by specially qualified professionals since poor treatment cannot remedy the problem than worsening it. If the new concrete is laid over the rusting surface, it cannot stop rusting and the rusting will continue inside. This will result in further displacement and might demand replacing the entire steel in the reinforcement.

Before any remedial measure is initiated, it is important to ascertain the reason for concrete cancer in the specific case. After identifying the cause, the repair can happen. The most popular methods of concrete cancer repair is to remove  the flaking concrete, fully removing the rust from the reinforcing steel, applying anticorrosive materials to the steel, and applying a fresh concrete. In this way, the process can restore the original look. If necessary, the process could get a perfect completion by applying a waterproof treatment. This kind of treatment can help replace and rectify the cancer affected areas in concrete rather than replacing the entire structure or wall. Yet another way of treating concrete cancer is to repair all of the minor cracks noticed. This is highly important in the exposed area since there could be several cracks through which water can get in causing the problem to get worse.


Author is a freelance writer and having successful experience in writing about construction industries. Currently he is writing about Concrete Cancer Repair and Industrial Abseiling Sydney Services.