What Causes Concrete to Wear Down?

Concrete doesn’t wear down, so to speak. More likely it fails because of age or underlying causes.

The Biggest Enemy of Concrete: Water

Water is the biggest enemy to concrete. Whether it comes in the form of rain, snow, ice or water from irrigation, it can destroy the finish and reduce the life expectancy of concrete.

Concrete consists of cement, sand, rock and water. When the concrete cures the water in it evaporates. So by nature concrete has a tendency to absorb water. A constant presence of water will weaken the bond of the surface materials. Once that surface is weakened and begins to wear off it opens the concrete to rapid failure.

You can tell when the finish is gone because it is no longer smooth and you can see exposed rock. A crack in the concrete can allow water to be introduced into the sub-grade making it soft and unable to support the weight of traffic on the concrete. This will in turn cause additional cracking, especially after a hard winter.

Defending Your Concrete

Your concrete’s first defense against water and the elements is to seal the surface. This is possible for sidewalks, steps and driveways but can be costly for large parking areas.

The second line of defense for your concrete is to caulk any and all joints and cracks. This will prevent (or at least reduce) water infiltration into the concrete and sub-grade.

Lastly, fix problem areas as they occur. Damaged or failed areas will only get worse. If you fix them when they are minor issues it will be easier on your budget.

If you have concrete that’s worn down and needs replacing, please get in touch with us. We’d be happy to help out.