Concrete is among the most affordable and durable construction materials recognized all over the world. The material is used to construct floors, driveways, bridges, roads, and many other structures.
However, if not properly installed and maintained, concrete structures start to develop some deficiencies like cheeping, peeling, cracking among others. The good news is that these deficiencies can be dealt with by either repairing or replacing the concrete. The only difficulty is deciding when to repair and when to replace the concrete.
Here is how you’ll know if you need to repair or replace your concrete!
1. What’s the age of your concrete?
They say nothing lasts forever. Despite being more resilient than other construction materials, concrete has a limit to its longevity. Therefore, one of the major determinants of deciding whether to repair or replace your concrete is the age of the material.
Generally, the life expectancy of a concrete structure is about 25 to 30 years.
This means if your concrete develops some deficiencies at the age of 30 and above, then it will be worth replacing the entire concrete rather than repairing it. Don’t waste your money repairing old concrete since the repairs won’t last.
2. How big is the damage?
The extend of the damage on your concrete should tell you whether to repair or replace it.
For instance, small cracks and chippings on a concrete surface can be easily repaired by patching. Fillers or sealers are recommended for repairing damaged concrete.
However, if the damage is big and resulting from the base of the surface, then a replacement would be the best option. If you choose to repair the concrete when the base beneath it has a problem or is not holding up, then you will be wasting your time, resources, and money.
Also, if you’ll need more than two inches of material to repair the concrete, then it will be better to replace it.
3. Time can be an issue
When deciding whether to repair or replace concrete, you need to factor in the period that each process takes.
For instance, if the damaged area is part of a busy structure or building, being used by many people, then it will be worth repairing it rather than replacing it, using concrete forming. The repair will take less time and thus will cause fewer disruptions.
However, if the place isn’t busy, then a replacement might be the best option.
4. Cost difference
The cost of repairing concrete is not the same as that of replacing an entire concrete surface. A replacement costs more than a repair.
Apparently, this is one of the main reasons why most people prefer concrete repairs rather than replacements. You can’t replace concrete if you don’t have enough cash to complete the whole project – also you don’t want to start a project and stop it on the way due to lack of money or materials.
Therefore, if you have the money to do a replacement for the whole concrete, do it, if you don’t have enough money, it won’t hurt settling for a repair.
5. Uniformity
A repair will in most cases affect the looks and uniformity of a concrete surface. For instance, if it is a floor, there will be patches all over it making it unattractive. Also, the new layer might make the concrete taller and uneven.
If the repair greatly affects the uniformity of the concrete, then it is best to do a complete replacement. However, if the damage is not in visible areas, then a repair might just be fine.
6. Seek Professional Help
When you can’t make the decision on whether to repair or replace your concrete, even after considering all the factors then you have no option but to call a professional like JDL Surface Innovations.
The expert will assess your existing concrete, identify the extent of the damages, and offer professional advice. Professionals never tell lies to their clients.