Commercial & Residential Concrete Repairs Contractors Tarrant County TX

One of concrete’s strongest selling points is its durability. Concrete is very resistant to the elements, including fire, so the risk of damage sustained by a concrete structure during a fire is often minimal. However, this does not mean that some concrete repair isn’t necessary after the flames have been extinguished and the smoke has cleared.

What Damage Could Make Concrete Repair Necessary After a Fire?

Cracking and spalling of the concrete surface are the two most common telltale signs that the concrete surface has sustained significant enough damage to warrant the attention of a concrete contractor. Expansion may occur within the layers of the concrete, causing any moisture that’s trapped within it to turn into heated steam. This expansion causes damage like cracking and swelling that need to be repaired to restore the structure’s appearance and functionality.

The presence of these two visible problems within the concrete could be indicative of a greater need for concrete repair. There are other indicators as well, though they may not be as apparent, like color changes beneath the surface of the concrete.

How a Concrete Contractor Assesses Fire Damage

After a fire has occurred within your concrete structure, it is advisable to bring a contractor onto the scene to evaluate the extent of the damage. Each concrete professional has their own way of doing this, but the basics of this assessment include:

• A visual inspection for cracks, spalling, discoloration and other abnormalities.
• Non-destructive testing to get a deeper look into the damage, beyond what is seen directly on the surface. A framing hammer can be used to “sound” the concrete, enabling the contractor to identify internal damage.
• Lab testing of concrete samples to evaluate the concrete’s integrity and confirm how far down into the concrete the fire affected the structure. The contractor may compare a sample of the damaged concrete to a sample of undamaged concrete for the sake of comparison.
• Discussion of repair options

What concrete repair options that are made available to you depend on the nature and extent of the damage sustained. Temperature profiles and the remaining strength of the concrete will play a large part in determining what method of repair is necessary in each individual case.

Repairing Fire-Damaged Concrete

A quick and minor repair might be all that is needed if the damage is minimal or localized. However, some particularly nasty fires have resulted in entire slabs of concrete needing to be entirely replaced. Soot removal and resealing of the concrete will likely be a part of any concrete repair process, no matter how big or small the damage actually is.

Many homeowners will try their hand at repairing the concrete themselves, but this is rarely a wise idea. Testing needs to be done to determine the remaining strength and integrity of the concrete before any repairs can be safely made. Concrete repair should be left to the professionals, who can diagnose and treat the problem at its source. Treating only the visible surface could leave your structure vulnerable to further, unseen damage that will cause you problems in the future.

While brick is one of the most long-lasting materials when it comes to your house’s structure, the mortar holding those bricks together is not quite as long-lasting. If you’ve been noticing damaged mortar on the exterior of your home, it may be time to take advantage of our professional tuck pointing service.

Tuckpointing is sort of like filling a cavity in that it is the process of removing damaged portions of your home’s grout and replacing these damaged portions with new mortar. When this process was first created, the tools used were made of forged iron. While the method of tuck pointing has not changed much since the 18^th century, technology has led to new and improved tools fashioned from hardened tool steel. Modern tuck pointing can also involve the use of pneumatic and electric tools, as these are beneficial when grinding mortar.

The mortar that binds brick and stone will usually need replacement in between twenty-five and fifty years. Homes that follow this pattern of maintenance can last an extremely long time, which is part of what keeps historical buildings standing. The length of time mortar remains intact depends on the materials within the mortar.

Limestone and clay were the most common materials used in the 19^th century. This is mostly because these materials were accessible locally. Today’s mortar does not have to rely on local sourcing due to seemingly limitless transportation. Some mortar manufacturers today are utilizing waste such as fly ash to create grout. There are many other materials used today, however, including shells, slate, silica sand, and iron ore.

While the material does affect the lifetime of grout, the environment is usually the most deciding factor. Temperature variation and high humidity are two factors that wear down grout. Dry, temperate climates are usually more hospitable to grout. Geographical areas with both moisture and low temperatures are especially damaging, as the moisture can invade the grout and expand when frozen, creating cracks. These cracks hasten the degradation of the mortar. Grout becomes increasingly porous with age, which makes freezing water more of an issue as time progresses.

If you are concerned about your grout’s condition, you should conduct an inspection yourself. Simply survey the mortar around your home and check for any cracks and worn areas in the joints of the brick. Discoloration is another sign of damage. If you notice these issues in any abundance, you should call a professional masonry contractor.

Another neat way to test the condition of your grout utilizes a screwdriver. Taking a screwdriver or any similar tool, scrape along your grout in certain areas and check for either scratch in the grout or production of powder. These are also indications that your grout is in need of repair.

If you find your grout is in need of repair, contact us here at Omega Masonry and ask about our professional tuck pointing service. Our quality service can restore your home’s mortar to its original glory.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, call today to speak with an Omega representative.