Concrete is one of the best building materials to use because it is so strong and resilient. There are not too many elements that can damage concrete. These walls and surfaces are also pretty unlikely to be damaged by occasional spills or a bit of flooding.
Despite its strength, it is not completely invulnerable. These strong materials can be damaged if they are exposed to moisture for a long time. This is because concrete is porous and will absorb water. The absorbed water can weaken the concrete particles or their bonding abilities. Saturated concrete can also become vulnerable to all sorts of growths like mould, mildew, algae, or moss. These growths will also weaken and stain the concrete.
After some time, the concrete walls can become porous, and you might see issues like cracking, chipping or layers peeling.
Once concrete is damaged, it isn’t very easy to restore these types of walls. Let’s take a look at how this type of wall damage is typically restored.
Damage Assessment
The first thing your local wall repair company in Melbourne will do is evaluate the extent of the damage. Because concrete is absorbent, the moisture can spread deep into the walls and surrounding areas. This means that the damage can extend quite a bit from the water source.
Your roofing company will check just how far the water penetrated and will check if the concrete and brickwork in these areas are still structurally sound. They will also check for other damages like cracks, spalling, or mould growth.
Drying the Area
Naturally, the source of the water or leak will need to be repaired. For this, you might need to call a plumbing company to come and do some repairs. After eliminating the leak, the wall needs to be properly dried. To accomplish this, fans and dehumidifiers can be used. In extreme cases, moisture meters are also used to see if the wall is dry enough for the restoration process to proceed.
Repairs cannot be done to a wall that is still wet or damp. Any moisture trapped inside the wall will lead to mould growth or can make it impossible for the new materials to bond well with your wall.
Removing Damaged Areas
While the drying process is ongoing, your wall repair company can start removing some of the damaged materials. This will open up the wall a bit so the interior can dry out. Any loose or saturated concrete or paint needs to be scraped away. If the wall contains some mould growth, a special mould-killing solution should be applied to kill off this bacteria.
Repairs
After clearing away the damaged materials, the patchwork can begin. Concrete patching compound can be used to fill out small cracks. Larger cracks can be filled with some hydraulic cement. The concrete surface needs to be properly sealed and smoothed.
Repainting and Sealing
After applying the new concrete, the wall needs to be treated with a base coat. This base coat will help the new paint bond well with the wall. Once this is done, the wall needs to be painted. Several coats of paint might be needed so there will be no difference in colour in areas that are repaired.
Concrete Wall Restoration in Melbourne
If your concrete walls are damaged by prolonged exposure to water, then it is best to call experts like We Fix Walls. Our company can do a proper damage inspection and will evaluate the extent of the damage. We will also fully restore your concrete walls and will ensure that they are structurally sound and perfectly safe to be around.
Contact We Fix Walls for any type of wall restoration work in Melbourne.
