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In the last five years or so, the detection
and remediation of concrete deterioration has become an industry unto itself.
The source of the problem is primarily attributable to the brutal environment
of South Florida, particularly along the coast. The air has a high content of
humidity, and also a high content of calcium chloride (salt). Most hi-rise and
mid-rise buildings are constructed of either pre-cast or poured-in-place
concrete. In both cases, concrete is a porous substance. When the "skin" (paint
surface) of the building is not waterproof, the concrete absorbs the moisture
and the salt from the air. This causes the steel reinforcing bars ("rebar") to
rust. When steel rusts, it expands. This then causes the concrete to break away
from the building, commonly known as "spalling." By the time significant
spalling is detected, there is often significant damage already done to the
reinforcing steel structure of the building.
The complexities of
structural repair and protection of concrete demand specialized expertise and a
full-range of service capabilities. By applying new technologies to
well-established repair principles, SPECIAL FORCES partners with owners
and engineers to safely deliver cost-effective solutions. We draw from our many
years of experience to perform the optimum repair that best meets project
needs.
In the commercial and public markets, we offer solutions
applicable to the repair of structures including buildings, high-rise
structures, parking structures, plaza decks, and historic structures. Our
experienced, highly skilled technicians repair spalled concrete surfaces, seal
leaking cracks and joints, and apply coatings and linings.
Concrete
repair replaces defective, damaged or deteriorated concrete, restores
structural function, protects itself or underlying concrete from aggressive
environments and restores any lost performance requirements.
Concrete
repair problems are diverse in nature. Each condition requires a clear
understanding of what is expected of the repair including appearance,
protection needs and load carrying requirements.
An effective repair
strategy must draw from a variety of repair materials, each having an
installation technique that best suits both the material and the strategy. Some
examples of the techniques utilized are: Dry Mix Shotcrete, Dry Packing, Form
& Cast-in-Place, Form & Pump, Full-Depth Repair, Hand Applied Repair,
Overlays, and Wet Mix Shotcrete.
At SPECIAL FORCES we have the
expertise to utilize specialized techniques applicable to repair or restore
damaged concrete.
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