Commercial concrete can take a beating over time, no matter the type of industry in which you operate. Even without little accidents from time to time (like backing a delivery truck into a wall), commercial concrete structures will start to deteriorate by being exposed to weather, temperature shifts, rain and more. If you have not evaluated your building for damage or it’s been a while since your last concrete repair, now is a good time to consider talking with an expert-not just about commercial concrete repair, but also strengthening.
Why Commercial Concrete Repair Matters
Concrete repair for commercial buildings accomplishes multiple tasks, and all of them are beneficial to the building and its owners. While you may think about big dangers like walls collapsing, there are other reasons to repair your concrete as soon as you notice an issue.
Safety Concerns
As mentioned, there is a real concern about collapse or other safety hazards if concrete goes without repair for too long. If walls are beginning to crack or bricks are falling out, those walls may be prone to sagging or even buckling.When these vulnerabilities start to appear, water and pests can creep into the building, causing additional harm from the inside.
If the concrete you are concerned about is not a wall but rather a sidewalk or floor, you will need to consider other types of problems, like trip hazards that could injure employees or holes that may harm someone who is operating machinery in the area.
Aesthetic Appeal
Of course, cracked, flaking or otherwise damaged concrete is more than just a safety hazard-it’s an eyesore. You may not think that concrete damage matters if it is minor or not really harming anyone, but think about the aesthetics of your building as a commercial business. Potential clients who drive by or walk into your building and see cracks and chips may get the impression that you do not care about your business-and thus, do not care about them either.
You can demonstrate your commitment to quality and integrity by keeping your commercial concrete building and its sidewalks and parking lots in good repair as well.
Long-Term Expenses
Fixing concrete damage is about more than just repairing an immediate problem, like a crack or some missing bricks. Did you know that damaged concrete can cost you money in the long run? Cracks make it easy for the efficient atmospheric control inside your building to leak. In other words, your air conditioning will leak out during summer, and your heating will leak out during winter. All of this results in higher utility bills in addition to the cost of repair. Fixing commercial concrete while the problem is still small stops you from constantly bleeding money over time to preventable losses like these.
Is Commercial Concrete Strengthening Necessary?
Even the most expertly installed concrete will need repair from time to time-but how do you make sure that your new concrete lasts as long as possible? One option is commercial concrete strengthening.
Concrete by itself is certainly a sturdy material, but if you are placing heavy loads on your building or you find that a particular area is prone to damage repeatedly, strengthening may benefit you.
Instead of simply pouring concrete, strengthening will add more materials such as metal bars which the concrete can grip. This provides an additional layer of strength and toughness so that cracks and breaks are less likely in the future. You will still need to conduct minor repairs as the exterior concrete bakes in the sun and experiences temperature fluctuations, rain and maybe even snow or ice, but the interior structure should withstand these changes more effectively with the help of strengthening.
Those starting on new concrete construction may choose strengthened materials from the beginning. This will add to the cost, but it also increases the longevity of the structure so that fewer large-scale repairs are needed in the future. Strengthening can also be added little by little during repairs as long as you keep up with fixes regularly.
Trust the Experts to Help You Repair and Strengthen Your Structure
Maintaining a commercial building comes with a wide variety of important decisions, and how often to repair your concrete-as well as whether to strengthen it-are just a few of these choices. The good news is that the experts can help you make these determinations. The professionals at Waterproof Caulking & Restoration would be happy to help you understand the current state of your building and how to keep it in good repair for as long as possible. Reach out to learn more or to schedule an appointment to get started.