A common question that the client asks is whether or not they should replace or repair their concrete. The good news is that most concrete repair work has made great strides in its respective field over the past few decades, which is why it is often cheaper and even more environmentally friendly. So contact us for a consultation when you see any cracks or issues with your patio, driveway, etc. Our highly-experienced team will be able to identify if it can be rectified by a simple repair.
Once you have made your decision to repair the concrete, there are still some other factors to decide. Will you simply repair the damaged (cracks, potholes, etc.), or renovate the entire slab of concrete in order to maintain some level of uniformity? Damage assessment is an integral factor in this selection process.
Fortunately, Omega Masonry specializes at concrete installation and repair jobs. We ensure that you get the best advice in regards to choosing the type of concrete repair as well as the myriad of other decisions you have to make as the client.
Types of Concrete Repair
At Omega Masonry, we offer a wide array of concrete repair services.
Epoxy Injection: This method is utilized in residential and industrial concrete repair, as it is designed for fixing small cracks in the concrete (0.05 mm). It involves the injection of a flexible adhesive (epoxy) into the fault in the concrete through the entry port that was previously drilled into the concrete. Although it is used for repairing large structures like buildings and bridges, cracks have been known to recur near the sight of the epoxy injection. This is why epoxy injection is a delicate process that requires a lot of skill and experience in order to achieve a satisfactory outcome. This should be taken into account when selecting the method of concrete repair.
Stitching (Cross Stitching): If you choose this method, we will be drilling holes on both sides of the crack in order to grout U-shaped pieces of metal with short legs (staples/stitching dogs) that will cover the crack in its entirety. The holes made in the concrete will then be cleaned, and the staples bonded into the concrete through a bonding adhesive or non-shrink grout. It’s important to note that this is typically utilized for longitudinal cracks which appear to be in relatively good condition.
The Drill and Plug: This method is mostly used for vertical cracks, i.e. cracks that are accessible only from one side. A hole ( 50 to 75 mm in diameter ) will be drilled into the center of the crack. A grout key ( a fluid ) will fill the gaps in order to prevent the concrete around the crack from moving or worsening the crack. If you wish to avoid water leakage at all costs, then we will fill the gaps with an alternative to grout.
These are just some of the many methods for concrete repair, and our team will be more than happy to suggest other methods during your consultation with us.
