Articles about the annual cost of concrete repairs in the United States often use the range of $18 to $21 billion per year. The fact is that these figures were calculated in 2004 — over twenty years ago! That was before the Great Recession and well before the Great Inflation that came with the pandemic. If we apply the cost of living to those figures, homeowners, municipalities, and businesses are likely paying somewhere between $31 to $36 billion each year for repairs on roads, sidewalks, bridges, foundations, and more. Much of this concrete repair work can be avoided with quality installations and effective protection.
Therefore, let’s take a look at three items mentioned in that 2004 report about concrete repairs nationwide: balconies and decks, residential buildings, and industrial facilities. For each category, we will look at the cost of annual repairs using current dollar values. Then we will consider the recommendations made by the original report on how these failures can be fixed and prevented.
Protecting Concrete Balconies and Decks
Building repairs due to damaged decks and balconies can cost up to $3.5 billion per year in the United States. Many balconies and decks are exposed to the elements. Airborne pollutants, winter temperature fluctuations, and natural deterioration eat away at concrete over time. Since these building features are typically well above ground, unrepaired damage can lead to catastrophe, especially when the balcony or deck is overloaded during an event.
Although natural causes can lead to concrete distress, close examination can also reveal construction errors. A failure to waterproof the concrete properly with high quality epoxy coatings is a common problem. After any repair or replacement of concrete balconies or decks, a thorough waterproofing with concrete coatings is recommended.
Protecting Residential Structures
Soil settlement and winter temperature fluctuations cause the majority of residential concrete damage, with an approximate repair bill of $500 million per year. Damage caused by soil settlement is preventable with proper preparation of the ground in advance of pouring concrete. Construction designs that account for the type of soil and building materials that are of high quality are also important factors to prevent damage from minor soil movements. Epoxy coatings actually add tensile strength to concrete and can assist with both of the major problems that destroy residential concrete.
In the event that your concrete needs complete resurfacing, California Custom Coatings can provide this service with urethane concrete. You can restore the original smooth surface by building up the low points in your foundation or filling in the cracks. Completing the repair with a waterproof coating is highly recommended. Naturally, a close examination of the concrete is necessary before deciding upon any form of repair or renovation.
Protecting Industrial Facilities
Industrial facilities are typically carefully constructed. Therefore, although they are more expensive than the usual residential building, they are generally more durable. This is likely reflected in the fact that annual costs to repair industrial properties is also about $500 million per year.
Typical causes of concrete failure for industrial sites include chemical attack of the concrete surface and overload on the concrete during peak operations. This causes spalling, cracking, and disintegration. The recommendation from the Concrete Repair Bulletin is to strengthen concrete surfaces with “concrete coatings, liners, and [add-on] membranes”. California Custom Coatings is skilled in techniques required for strengthening industrial concrete.
Strengthen or Renovate Your Concrete
Whether you want to protect your concrete to avoid future repairs, or if you need to renovate your concrete now, contact California Custom Coatings. We offer a free consultation to determine the nature of your concrete situation and we can offer solutions. From protective coatings to resurfacing with resilient urethane concrete, California Custom Coatings has the knowledge, expertise, and availability to help clients in Sacramento, all of Northern California, and parts of Nevada. Contact us for assistance today!
