How to Repair Water Damaged Concrete

Homes that have had a flooding event can suffer badly from the effects of water damage to concrete. While water damage to carpets and furniture is a pain, concrete that has been damaged by standing water can affect the foundation of the house itself. The damage caused by flooding can not only weaken the concrete foundations but in the worst cases, potentially cause the house to become unstable.

There are some easy ways to determine exactly how the concrete has been affected, as well as taking the correct actions to deal with the problem.

  1. Firstly, it is important to access the damage by investigating the area for any stains or cracks that may have formed due to standing water.
  2. Get a tape measure to find out the length and width, and if possible the depth of the damage. This will help to decide how to treat the area later on.
  3. Once the areas have been identified that need to be repaired, use a good concrete cleaner or even soap and water. This will get rid of any residue or material that has built up after the flooding. Let it dry completely before moving onto the next step.
  4. It will then be necessary to decide which areas need to be re-surfaced. It may be a good idea to get advice from a local expert for this . Water damage on concrete can cause surface cracks that can get worse and turn into deep cracks, which is not advisable.
  5. Purchase a good concrete repair product from your local hardware store. Follow the instructions after making sure the surface is as clean as possible. Usually the process of re-surfacing means applying a thin layer of concrete.
  6. For damage that is more significant such as small cracks and holes it is advisable to remove any old concrete with a chisel and insert a metal reinforcement and glue it into the hole using an appropriate adhesive. This will help to provide a framework from which the new concrete can take hold.
  7. Once this has been completed the new concrete mixture can then be added into the crack or hole. It is a good idea to mark and protect the repaired area with wooden planks to allow the area to dry within people standing on the soft new mixture!
  8. To finish off, a concrete sealer can protect the area from future damage and keep it looking good for a long time to come.

It is crucial that after you have sustained water damage to your concrete path, driveway or foundations of your home that you discover the extent of the damage. Concrete that has been compromised due to flooding can seriously affect the structure of your house if not dealt with quickly. If this has happened to you, make sure to seek advice from a specialist to identify how it may affect the foundations and safety of your home.

Fortunately there are some easy ways to repair fairly minor damage to concrete as described above. Again though, acting quickly can prevent the damage from getting worse and causing more problems. Well, I hope these steps have been useful and help you get your home back to normal after the water damage you have suffered.

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