Concrete Replacement | vs Repair | New Concrete Installation
Concrete Replacement | New Concrete Installation | Repair vs Replacement of Concrete | Replace Concrete | Orlando & Central FL
Despite the numerous benefits of cement and concrete construction, deterioration can happen -- especially over prolonged time and magnified by poor construction initially and not maintaining it. Such deterioration of concrete isn't always apparent; but, when it's clearly visible and worn, the damage is generally just the proverbial tip of the iceberg.
If left untreated, the problems such as spalling concrete will become expansive and expensive. In such cases of severe concrete spalling, structural damage that compromises the concrete and negatively affects its structural integrity, concrete repair alone (a band-aid fix) won't yield the best results for concrete driveway repair if the damage is extensive. Thus, new concrete installation is necessary; and such concrete work will provide long-lasting and stylish results while helping protect you from legal and monetary liability.
To that end, we provide expert and timely concrete replacement -- from initial inspections and diagnosis of problems to completing appropriate repairs to make a structure safe for a longer term. Our concrete services benefit the fine folks of Longwood, Orlando, Lake Buena Vista, Clermont, Kissimmee, Lakeland and our happy clients elsewhere in central FL.
Concrete Replacement | New Concrete Installer | Orlando, FL
Concrete Replace | New Concrete Install | Orlando & Central FL | Hot Topic | Surfside Condo Collapse
Whether or not concrete can be restored it to its original integrity is the key consideration when determining if repair alone is sufficient and safe. Do a truthful assessment of how bad any deterioration has become: Is there spalling (exposed aggregate on a concrete structure)? If so, then concrete will likely require replacement. Is damage caused by poor installation? If so, then replacement is again the best course of action.
Regardless of the initial quality of the concrete, it'll eventually wear out over the years as, for example, the elements will cause the break down and -- ultimately and even more dangerous and perhaps fatal -- total failure of structural integrity. (The horrific, June 2021 collapse of the residential highrise in Surfside, FL appears to have been just such an awful scenario that played out.) In the north, especially, where wide temperature swings are typical, cracking is more commonplace than in the southwest USA; and pitting caused by road salt is also prevalent in snowy northern climates, as well as oceanside and hot climates near saltwater.
Thus, the key issues are the following questions: How much spalling is present? How much chipping is occurring? Is there a structural break? How much material is missing? If it’s an excessive absence of materials with major structural concerns, then the concrete will absolutely need to be replaced in a timely; for repair alone would not be a safe choice. A rule of thumb: If a potential repair requires more than two inches of material in a given area, then the better option is replacing such concrete.
Concrete ultimately deteriorates for a plethora of reasons: poor installation, with inadequate attention given to the sub base; mismatching a cement product application; or the improper location of expansion joints. Concrete expands in the heat and, conversely, contracts in the cold. If expansion joints lack proper spacing, then stress caused by expansion and contraction will result in cracking.
There are most definitely occasions, then, when repair is neither a safe nor feasible option. Indeed, if a subbase has suffered corrosion, then a concrete section must be cut out and a new subbase installed and compacted. Furtheremore, large cracks are problematic, namely those that extend completely through to and eventually erode a subbase; for water and accompanying freezing and thawing cycles will, in the end, expose weak points in concrete and create additional, potentially catastrophic deterioration. Simply put, there are occasions when replacement is the only option!
Conversely, if subbase and the aforementioned big concerns aren't an issue, then the decision to repair vs replace concrete could boil down to expense, for repair is generally less costly than replacement.
Note, importantly, that it’s not just exterior surfaces that deteriorate over time: Interior floors can become uneven from settling or just plain wear-and-tear; and replacing such effected flooring can be even more expensive than replacing exterior surfaces.
Longwood, FL-based concrete contractor and subcontractor ACCG, Inc. excels at the following services:
- concrete step replacement
- driveway replacement orlando
- concrete driveway replacement
- driveway replacement orlando