What Does Peeling Concrete Look Like?

Learn what peeling concrete looks like and how to prevent it from happening with this guide.

What Does Peeling Concrete Look Like?

Descaled concrete may appear as round or oval indentations along surfaces or joints. The good news is that a condition known as chipping is one of the most common issues affecting concrete. In this case, the top layer of concrete peels off, leaving the surface uneven and pitted with the aggregate exposed underneath. If left unchecked, it will eventually spread, weakening the surface until it can no longer be repaired and must be completely removed and replaced.

Moreover, if the structure is in an area that is accessible to the public or workers, then peeling concrete can be hazardous in terms of falling debris or tripping hazards. Ignoring this issue will only lead to more costly repairs down the line. First, an inspection of the concrete slab must be done to identify any potential concrete chipping problems that need to be addressed. Concrete Spalling Sydney offers a free inspection of the concrete slab to detect any chips.

This type of reaction is caused by a reaction between reactive silica found in concrete aggregates and alkaline cement pastes. Therefore, when you are considering a terrace design for your pool and patio, you may think that concrete is a good choice of material. The damage caused by peeling concrete can be easily spotted, but the cause of the damage is not always obvious. The chips may have a diameter of 150 mm or more and a depth of 25 mm or more, while smaller chips are also possible.

Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy the look of concrete without all the associated costs and problems. When a concrete structure is exposed to sub-zero temperatures, water stored in its capillaries solidifies and expands, creating internal pressure on the upper solidified layer.

Concrete chips

, especially on the outside of a building, not only look terrible but can also be dangerous. Flaking concrete on driveways or sidewalks usually occurs because of weather changes during hardening or something else that prevented the concrete from ever hardening.

In new concrete, you can drastically reduce concrete flaking by applying a penetrating waterproofing sealant 28 days after concrete placement and every few years thereafter.