Spalling
Concrete surface breaking, flaking or falling away, usually driven by expansion of corroding reinforcement pushing off the cover, exposing the steel beneath.
Concrete Repairs
Concrete Repairs London
Concrete defect assessment and engineering-led repair recommendations for spalling, reinforcement corrosion and cracking, defects assessed before repair.
When To Act
When concrete needs assessment
Concrete defects are progressive, assessing them early keeps repairs smaller and cheaper.
Concrete should be assessed when you see surface spalling or flaking, exposed or rusting reinforcement, rust staining, cracking that follows the line of embedded steel, or crumbling and delamination, particularly on balconies, soffits, beams, columns, car park decks, retaining walls and exposed structural concrete. Damp, water ingress and freeze-thaw exposure accelerate deterioration, so external and below-ground concrete is most at risk.
EMA Structures is an engineering consultancy, not a general repair contractor. We inspect and diagnose the defect, assess its structural significance, and prepare repair recommendations or a specification before any works begin. We then coordinate specialist concrete repair contractors and inspect the completed repair so it follows the engineering intent.
Common Defects
Common concrete defects
The defects we most often assess in London concrete structures.
Reinforcement corrosion
Rusting of embedded steel, shown by rust staining, cracking along bar lines and loss of section. Left untreated it reduces the structural capacity of the element.
Cracking
Cracking from shrinkage, loading, corrosion or movement. The pattern and location determine whether it is cosmetic or structurally significant.
Carbonation & water ingress
Carbonation and chloride or water ingress break down the protective alkalinity around the steel, initiating corrosion and accelerating deterioration of the concrete.
What We Provide
What we provide
Engineering-led concrete assessment and repair support from inspection to completed works.
- Concrete defect inspection
- Spalling and corrosion assessment
- Structural significance assessment
- Crack and cause diagnosis
- Repair recommendations
- Repair specifications
- Specialist contractor coordination
- Site inspection of completed repairs
Our Approach
Our approach to concrete repair
Assess the defect, understand its significance, specify the right repair, then verify it on site.
1
Inspect
Site inspection of the affected concrete elements and surrounding structure.
2
Assess
Diagnose the defects and assess their structural significance, arranging testing where required.
3
Recommend / specify
Prepare repair recommendations or a specification with calculations where required.
4
Coordinate contractors
Coordinate specialist concrete repair contractors, or specify works for your own team.
5
Site inspection
Inspect the completed repair so it follows the engineering intent before sign-off.
Related Services
Related inspection and repair services
Concrete assessment sits alongside wider survey and structural repair work.
FAQs
Concrete repair questions
What causes concrete spalling?
Spalling, where the concrete surface breaks, flakes or falls away exposing the reinforcement, is most often caused by corrosion of the embedded steel. As the steel rusts it expands and pushes off the concrete cover. Carbonation, chloride attack, water ingress and freeze-thaw action accelerate the process. Diagnosis confirms the cause and extent before repair.
Is concrete cracking serious?
It depends. Fine surface cracks can be cosmetic, but cracking that follows reinforcement lines, is accompanied by rust staining or spalling, or appears in loaded members such as beams and slabs can indicate corrosion or structural distress. A structural assessment establishes whether the cracking affects load-bearing capacity and what repair is needed.
Do you carry out concrete repairs?
EMA Structures is an engineering consultancy. We assess the concrete defect, prepare repair recommendations and a specification, and coordinate specialist concrete repair contractors to carry out the works. We then inspect the completed repair so it follows the engineering intent.
What is in a concrete assessment?
A concrete assessment typically includes a site inspection of the affected elements, identification of defects such as spalling, corrosion, cracking and carbonation, an assessment of the structural significance, and repair recommendations or a specification. Further testing, for example cover and carbonation testing, can be arranged where required.
Concerned about concrete defects in London?
Send us photos and details of the affected concrete and we will arrange an inspection, assess the defect and recommend the right repair.