Protect Your Concrete | Koffler Coatingds | MT

We've all seen it happen—concrete driveways, patios, and floors that once looked pristine are now showing signs of wear and tear. Concrete degradation is a common issue that can affect the durability and appearance of our structures. As homeowners and builders, we must be aware of the chemicals that can harm our concrete surfaces and take steps to protect them. That's why we're diving into this important topic today.

This article will explore the common household and industrial chemicals that can damage concrete. We'll also discuss effective concrete protection techniques, including sealers and coatings. By the end, you'll better understand how to keep your concrete surfaces in top shape and extend their lifespan. Let's get started and learn how to safeguard our concrete investments.

Common Household Chemicals That Damage Concrete

We often overlook the potential harm that everyday household chemicals can cause to our concrete surfaces. Let's explore some common culprits:

Acidic Substances

Acids are particularly damaging to concrete. Weak acids like vinegar (acetic acid) can gradually weaken our concrete structures. Stronger acids such as sulfuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids are especially harmful, causing rapid deterioration of the cement paste and aggregates in concrete.

Oil and Grease

Contrary to past beliefs, oil spillage can be detrimental to concrete. When oil contamination reaches about 5% of the total batch volume in fresh concrete, it can compromise the strength and durability of the material. Oil can penetrate the surface of hardened concrete, making it more porous and susceptible to further damage.

Deicing Salts

In colder climates, we often use deicing salts on our driveways. However, these can cause significant damage, especially to new concrete. It's best to avoid using any de-icers during the first winter after construction. Instead, we recommend using sand for traction. After the first year, we can use rock salt (sodium chloride) in moderation, as it's less harmful than other deicing salts.

Industrial Chemicals That Harm Concrete

We've seen how household chemicals can damage concrete, but industrial environments pose even more significant threats. Let's explore some of the most harmful industrial chemicals:

Sulfates

Sulfates are among the most aggressive ions that can significantly damage our concrete structures. When concrete comes into contact with sulfates, it can lead to expansion, cracking, and even disintegration. We've observed that sulfate attack can cause physical and chemical effects, including forming expansive compounds like ettringite and gypsum. These compounds can weaken the concrete structure and decrease its compressive strength.

Chlorides

Chlorides pose a significant threat to reinforced concrete. We've found that they're the most prominent cause of deterioration in reinforced concrete across North America and many parts of the world. Chlorides can penetrate the concrete and reach the reinforcing steel, leading to corrosion. This process can be modeled by predicting the time for chlorides to achieve a concentration equal to the chloride threshold at the reinforcement surface.

Alkalis

Alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) is a significant durability issue affecting our concrete structures. We often refer to it as concrete "cancer" due to its devastating implications. ASR occurs when alkalies from Portland cement react with certain constituents in some aggregates. This reaction creates expansive products that cause cracking and can significantly impact our concrete structures' structural performance and safety, especially in critical infrastructure like dams and nuclear facilities.

Contact us today for information on how we can keep your concrete clean and strong.

Protect Your Concrete: Identifying Harmful Chemicals