When it comes to concrete cancer repair, there are a few things you need to know. First, what is concrete cancer? Concrete cancer is the name given to the deterioration of concrete, usually caused by water or salt damage. It manifests itself as cracks, spalling, or pitting on the surface of the concrete. 

If left unchecked, concrete cancer will continue to spread, and the damage will become increasingly severe. In severe cases, the entire structure may need to be demolished and rebuilt. However, with early detection and proper repairs, concrete cancer can be stopped in its tracks.

The Causes of Concrete Cancer

There are some common causes of concrete cancer:

Exposure to excessive moisture

This can happen if you live near a body of water or if there is excessive rain during commercial construction. It can also occur due to leaks in plumbing systems or even poor drainage around your home.

Freeze-thaw cycles

This is one of the most common causes of concrete cancer because it occurs naturally when temperatures drop below freezing during the winter. As water freezes inside cracks in your concrete driveway or sidewalk, it expands and forces small pieces out from inside your concrete structure. When temperatures rise above freezing again, those pieces reabsorb into place creating larger holes and more damage as time goes on.

Excessive salts

Salt has been used as a de-icer for decades now, but it does have some side effects when it comes to concrete. Salt draws out moisture from the ground because it lowers its freezing point (which makes it good for de-icing).

How to Repair Concrete Cancer

If you’re dealing with concrete cancer in your home, there are several ways to repair it. We’ll go over the most popular methods below.

Epoxy Coatings

Epoxy coatings are one of the most popular ways of concrete repair because they can be applied directly over the damaged area, whether it’s vertical or horizontal. The epoxy base dries clear so that it blends seamlessly with your existing concrete surface. Most epoxies require two coats due to their thin viscosity, but this will depend on how thick your concrete is and how much spalling has occurred.

Concrete Resurfacing

Concrete resurfacing involves in concrete cancer repair removing all or most of your existing concrete surface (either by hand chipping or using a commercial saw), then applying a new layer overtop using either cement or polyurethane resins as an adhesive. There are many different types of resins available for this process including polymers .