Concrete cancer repair costs will come down to how soon you detect and begin fixing the problem. On a high rise building, like those on the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast, detecting the early signs of concrete cancer may not be straightforward, but it can be done with a professional high rise building inspection. So, what does concrete cancer look like on a high rise building, and how do you repair it?
What does early-stage concrete cancer look like?
One of your tenants mentions that the render on her floor looks “bubbly” after a weather event. The building is looking a bit shabby, and the exterior appears flaky and rough. These are the early stages, when the infiltration is only “skin deep.”
What may seem like a small problem could be the early signs that moisture has infiltrated your high rise concrete and is slowly creating a very, very expensive problem. When you notice a rust stain on the exterior of the building, maybe a reddish discolouring in the paint, it could be a sign that things are already urgent.
What’s happening when a building begins spalling?
Concrete cancer, also known as concrete spalling, starts when the seal on your high-rise building deteriorates, either through a damaging weather event or gradually over time. As the porous concrete becomes exposed to the elements, it allows air and water to infiltrate the voids and pores that form when concrete is manufactured. This makes for “concrete cavities” – a bit like what sugar does to teeth. It weakens the concrete and can cause bubbling and flaking. However, when moisture reaches the metal reinforcement inside the concrete (the rebar), minor repairs become major remediation works. It’s a bit like putting off getting a filling only to end up with a painful and expensive root canal!
If you notice bubbling or flaking on your high-rise exterior, it’s urgent that you book an inspection.
Carbonic acid and large-scale concrete cancer
When you mix water infiltration with carbon dioxide from the air, it can react with the calcium hydroxide in cement. This produces calcium carbonate, which reduces the alkalinity of the concrete and leads to rusting of the metal reinforcements. So, if you see rust patches on your high-rise, the building’s safety and integrity may already be at risk.
How much time do you have to act?
For an affordable, relatively simple repair, the time to act is the moment you notice any kind of irregularity on your high-rise building’s exterior. Concrete cancer repairs are relatively affordable and straightforward in the early stages. Our team of professional abseil concrete repairers can remove and repair damaged surfaces in a few days or even hours, with minimal disruption to your tenants and minimal impact on your body corporate budget.
Learn more about our high rise concrete repairs service
By the time you see rust, the matter is urgent. The corrosion process varies from building to building but is sped up by salt in the air. If you see rust in your building’s exterior on the Sunshine or Gold Coasts, or even in the Brisbane CBD, you could be sitting on a ticking time bomb. The longer the issue is left untreated, the building’s structural integrity will be increasingly compromised, causing the steel reinforcements to completely rust away. You must act now to protect your building, your reputation and your legal position.
What to do next
- Photograph damaged concrete. Where possible, take photos of the damaged concrete so we can determine the extent of the problem and provide you with an accurate quote for inspection.
- Check for other signs. Check the rest of the building for other areas of potential damage. Check for light bubbling and more serious rust stains across the whole façade.
- Discuss the risks with your body corporate or building manager. Fixing concrete cancer can mean some disruption to tenants and may require financial contributions. Keeping your tenants and building managers fully informed will ensure the process is simpler.
- Determine access. Our team of abseilers will need access to the area from your roof.
- Get in Touch. Our team will talk you through the process and provide a comprehensive quote.
The Gecko team has been repairing concrete cancer on high-rise buildings on the Sunshine Coast, in Brisbane and the Gold Coast for nearly two decades. Our team are highly trained not just in concrete repairs but in minimising the impact on tenants. This is a serious issue, but we’re here to help.
Request a free quote today. Simply fill out our online form.