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Concrete spalling Gold Coast

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vcex_image_flexslider unique_id=”concrete cancer” thumbnail_link=”none” custom_links_target=”_self” img_width=”9999″ img_height=”9999″ caption=”true” animation=”slide” slideshow=”true” randomize=”false” control_nav=”true” control_thumbs=”false” direction_nav=”true” smooth_height=”true” slideshow_speed=”7000″ animation_speed=”600″ image_ids=”1791,1792,1793″][vc_column_text]Concrete spalling Gold Coast

What is concrete spalling ?

Concrete spalling also known as concrete cancer, is the degradation of concrete, which includes the rusting of the steel reinforcement as well as other failures such as carbonation or the Alkali silica reaction. Concrete spalling is Quite common in the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads Region. There can be a number of reasons for this, however the close proximity to the beach with the salty air and sub standard building practices plays a major Factor.

Identifying concrete cancer?

The most important thing with concrete cancer is to identify it early. Concrete cancer is quite easy to repair if it is caught in the early stages. If the problem is not addressed the damage may start to effect the structural integrity of the building. If this happens the cost of repairs can escalate significantly. In severe cases the building may have to be demolished.

Signs of concrete cancer

Cracking Concrete
Chucks of concrete falling off walls
Rust stains seeping through concrete
Calcium deposits
Exposed steel reinforcement

Concrete spalling can be more common in places that have more exposure to the weather especially balconies or places that tend to hold more water and moisture .

Repairing Concrete cancer

Repairing concrete cancer correctly can be an art in itself. From what I’ve seen, there are not many people that actually know how to repair concrete correctly. I think that at least 50% of the jobs that I inspect have already been repaired by someone who has charged a lot of money for a repair that doesn’t last and doesn’t blend in with the existing finish of the building. In most cases they haven’t even used the correct materials.

It is extremely important to totally remove the concrete spall, before patching the affected area. I have seen many cases where people have tried patching over the spalled area, without treating the area correctly to start with. All this does is make matters worse by hiding the concrete cancer and allowing it to spread unnoticed. By the time the cancer is noticed, the damage to the concrete has spread making it more difficult and expensive to repair.

We do not use regular cement for repairing concrete cancer and neither should anyone.

What do you use to repair concrete cancer

We use a high tensile concrete patching compound that is specifically designed for repairing concrete. This compound is extremely strong and has excellent adhesion and durability properties.

See our concrete cancer service page for details.

Making your concrete repair blend in

It requires a skilled trades person to actually follow the correct procedures, using the correct materials to repair concrete cancer. It also requires a great level of skill and experience to shape and mold the repair to blend it in to the existing finish of the building. If a repair is done correctly it should not look out of place and there should be minimal scaring. If you care about what your repair will look like, it is important to use a contractor who knows what they are doing.

How much do concrete cancer repairs cost ?

First of all every job is different, If the extent of the repairs is small and the problem is detected early and there is just a couple of small patches, say the size of a football the damage bill could be in the hundreds of dollars. If the concrete cancer has spread and the problems have started to effect the structural integrity of the building, that’s when the cost of repairs can escalate into thousands or even millions of dollars.

Read these articles below

Article 1

Article 2

Article 3

How to prevent Concrete cancer

The best way to prevent your property from getting concrete cancer is to do regular building maintenance. Always try and keep your building weather proof by painting, sealing and waterproofing where needed. If you come across any cracking that may look suspicious get it looked at straight away by a qualified person. always ensure that the drainage around your building is letting the water get away. if you have concrete garden beds around the building make sure they are waterproofed adequately.

If you are unsure and would like some assistance you can email me some photos to this email address solacebuildingservices@gmail.com

If I think that the problem needs to be addressed I can arrange a time for us to meet onsite to quote the repairs. If you would like to call me you can see our contact page below.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_cta_button call_text=”For a free, friendly no obligation quote !” title=”Contact Us” target=”_self” color=”btn-primary” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” position=”cta_align_right” href=”http://solacebuildingservices.com.au/contact-us/”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Steps to building your own home

An independent over view of the Steps to building your own home

Blog Post - 10/26/2013

Gold Coast Tweed Coast Termite damage repairs

Termite or white ant damage is a common occurrence in our region. We employ experienced carpenters to tackle these building issues. Termite can become extremely expensive if the problem is not noticed in the early stages. Some types of timber are more susceptible than others. For example Timbers such as hardwoods tend to be less favored by termites than the softer pines such as Radiata Pine which is a very common product for timber frames at the moment. Although hard woods can be eaten by termites in my experience the termites tend to eat the soft parts such as the gum veins or parts of the frame that get wet due to leakage. How ever they still can eat Australian hardwoods. Cypress pine is a timber that has an excellent track record against white ant damage in the 70’s cypress pine was used in many houses to deter white ants. Many but not all builders now use treated timber for framing It comes with a 30 year guarantee. However I have still seen termite damage on treated timber.

To alleviate any potential termite risk to your property it is a great idea to clean up any timber lying on the ground around your house, also have your house regularly inspected by a licensed pest controller. I use a company called Pest ex I find them extremely approachable and well mannered they also very competitive compared to other companies i have used, you can find them here Pestex.

Remember If you require a no fuss consultation about any issues regarding Termite damage, we employ very experienced carpenters who have seen it all. whether you need to replace structural beams, walls, roofs, or just a few architraves we would be glad to assist in any way we can.

Uncategorized - 10/15/2013

Terracotta Tile Restoration Gold Coast – Tweed Coast

Terracotta tiles are very common in our region. Through out the 80’s and 90’s terracotta floor and roof tiles were very popular, however in many instances most of them are a pour es tile . Which means that they absorb moisture and can stain quite easily. It’s quite common to see terracotta tiles that have acquired rust, dirt and calcium stains which are the white salty looking stains you see not just on terracotta but also brick work and concrete.

To clean terracotta

You must be careful what type of cleaners you use. Some cleaners have a tendency to discolor the tile, others may react with the sealer that is used to waterproof the tile. As a rule of thumb use as little chemical as possible.

Repairing terracotta tiles

Can also be tricky. When tiles start to de laminate or go as they say “drummy”. You need to be extremely careful when pulling up the loose tiles that you don’t loosen all of the other tiles, otherwise you may find yourself ‘re tiling your whole house or balcony again. Which is not what we want.

Sealing Terracotta tiles

Is another tricky job. Believe it or not if you don’t use the correct sealer your tiles have the potential to explode due to trapped moisture. For sealing terracotta tiles outside you need to use what they call a penetrating sealer or soloxane sealer. Solaxane sealers are solvent based sealers that have the ability to any trapped moisture out of the tile once sealed. They are quite easy to apply, always be generous on the first 2 coats, let the sealer soak right in and apply the second coat before the first coat dries, then come back 24 hours later and apply a third for the best results.

There are many brands of these sealers on the market and it really pays to shop around.

If you are not confident about doing it your self you can contact me any time for a free consultation and quote.

Hope you found this useful !

Blog Post - 08/17/2013

Building Services Kingscliff and Tweed Coast

Building Services Kingscliff and Tweed Coast

Solace Building Services is a local Kingscliff business who services the Gold Coast and Tweed Coast region. Whether your home is in need of a full renovation, bathroom upgrade, minor or major repairs. Our specialty is finding the correct solution for your needs. With our experience we are able to assist all types of property owners in finding the right solution relating to their needs and budgets.

Our services include

Free advice
Home remodeling
Energy efficiency
Bathroom repairs and sealing
Carpentry
Plastering
Rendering
Concrete repair
Water and termite damage
Water proofing
Painting

The team at Solace Building Services is a small group of professional trades people that are fully qualified and have been working in the industry for years.

We guarantee honesty, quality and value for money !

Blog Post - 08/04/2013

Building maintenance and repairs for Apartments and body corps

Gold Coast / Tweed Coast Building maintenance and repairs for Apartments and body corps

Total refurbishments
Balcony Repairs
Bathroom sealing and renovations
Water proofing issues
Concrete cancer
Rendering, Texture and white set
Painting
All carpentry

We are an owner operated business that is custom tailored for the needs of body corporate and high rise apartments on the Gold Coast. Our trade back grounds consist of Solid plastering, architectural coatings, carpentry, plastering etc . We deal with issues such as Render and concrete repairs, leaks, concrete cancer, water damage, plaster repairs, tile repairs and the list goes on. We have the social skills and the technical knowledge to be able to deliver the most challenging of jobs on time and on budget with as little disturbance to residents as possible.

Before you call one of the larger companies on the Gold Coast try giving us a call.

Why ?

Most big maintenance companies sub contract the majority of their work out to contractors like me. These large building maintenance contractors are making a lot of money by standing around and watching everyone work. Whilst they sit there waiting for the dollars to roll in.

For a better idea of what we do see our full services here

http://solacebuildingservices.com.au/building-maintenance/

Blog Post - 06/12/2013