Concrete
NEW CONCRETE
Protecting new concrete
The protection of new concrete is widely recognized and preferred method of structure preservation. New concrete protection, even by coating or sealing, will slow down the contamination and breakdown of concrete due to use.
However, coatings are expensive and have a finite life where they wear out and need to be replaced in a timely manner if the structure is to be maintained. Sealants are permeable to chloride under pressure (static head, such as applied by car tires) and generally also need to be reapplied as they exist at or close to the surface.
SURTREAT advantage
In addition to the common benefits of a coating or sealant, such as reducing/prohibiting water penetration, SURTREAT treated concrete resists static pressure(such as applied, for example, by car tires), providing superior chloride protection. SURTREAT treated concrete has greater wearability and improved strength/durability. SURTREAT treated concrete resists chemical breakdown when exposed to hostile and aggressive environments. SURTREAT treated concrete resists pitting and spalling due to freeze/thaw or sometimes incongruities of modern day construction. SURTREAT does not alter structure appearance and does not wear off providing permanent solution to the task of structure preservation and protection.
Long-term cost benefits associated with SURTREAT use are substantial.
SURTREAT is easy to apply and can be incorporated in any construction detail.
DETERIORATED CONCRETE
Concrete formation and deterioration through chemistry
Hardened concrete is chemically formed through hydration, curing.
Conversely concrete deteriorates largely by chemical means – carbonation/loss of pH, addition of aggressive and hostile chemicals through infiltration, breakdown of the cement bonds associated with aging, impact of the environment, etc.
Therefore a solutions based approach to concrete restoration must include chemistry as the remedy for the underlying causes of structure deterioration.
Cause of the deterioration vs. the symptoms
Ordinarily the “tear out and replace” or “patch over” approach to structure restoration completely overlooks the underlying causes of concrete failure addressing only the outward visible symptoms such as delamination and spalling. The real problems of corrosion, weakened cement bonds, chloride contamination, and carbonation are often neglected until the symptoms soon re-appear.
Things can be worse…
Many times structures are repaired by random patching, coating or painting over weak, contaminated, carbonated, corrosion riddled concrete. Not only such repairs are temporary, but often make things worse by trapping the contamination, trapping moisture and creating other incompatibilities which tend to accelerate the deterioration process.
How to make things better
The cause of the deterioration MUST be addressed along with the symptoms to furnish an effective long-lasting solution. SURTREAT application addresses the deterioration cause by providing for improvements in concrete strength, water-soluble chloride content reduction, moderation of pH (in carbonated structures), improved static pressure and gas resistivity of concrete, improved chemical resistivity, and corrosion reduction of the imbedded (concrete covered) reinforcement. Once the properties of concrete have been chemically improved/restored meaningful durable repairs can be made.
Benefits of our approach
SURTREAT provides an effective restoration solution by modifying the proprties of the existing concrete without excessive replacement. SURTREAT prevents future deterioration. SURTREAT is a long-term solution to the problem of concrete deterioration. The use of SURTREAT extends structure service life.
SURTREAT is easy to apply.
The use of SURTREAT provides an excellent opportunity for cost reduction during restoration as well as future maintenance and operation costs.