Other causes of spalling concrete cancer
Another cause of spalling concrete cancer to internal concrete slab floors is when there covered with a magnesite topping. The magnesite topping concealed beneath carpets is installed to provide level flat and smooth floors, and for acoustic reasons to reduce impact noise to the apartment below. However, the reasons for increased spalling concrete deterioration is due to:
- the salt laden air, damp and water saturating through the magnesite floor topping
- corrosive chemicals from the magnesite migrates into the interior concrete slab floor causing a chemical reaction with the cement. This eventually creates severe corrosion of the embedded reinforcement steel cast originally within the concrete slab floor
- destructive carbonation occurs due to the environment penetrating through the top surface and the ceiling below of internal slab floors including to cantilevered balconies and terraces.
Tell tale signs
The first evidence of the owner and property managers noticing a serious spalling concrete problem concealed below is after the floor surface (carpet, timber parquetry or ceramic floor tiles) has:
- a lump in the floor surface
- an upward bulge or cracking
Rectifying spalling concrete cancer
It is often the case, severe corrosion travels through the floor slab into adjoining rooms within the apartment and through the ceilings below of adjoining apartments.
After our investigations, rectification must be carried out to the spalling concrete damage to internal floor slabs and ceilings below (including the base of walls) for the safety and long-term structural stability of the apartments.
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