VISUAL SIGNS OF WEAK CONCRETE

Being able to pick the signs of a weak slab is not always easy. There are various mechanical means for testing the integrity concrete, like rebound hammer tests or tensile pull-off adhesion tests, but you don't always have the ability to conduct these types of physical tests.

In this post, I want to share some photos to demonstrate a few quick and easy ways to pick if you're dealing with a weak slab.

In the first photo you'll see how easily a screwdriver was able to gouge the surface of this slab. If you're able to gouge the concrete as easily as this then it's a good sign you've got a weak slab.

In the second photo you'll note the weathering on one side of the roller door line compared to the other. In this case the house was less than 12 months old and to see this amount of deterioration is something that would set off a few alarm bells.

The third image shows a divot in the floor that has easily popped out down to the larger aggregate layer.

The fourth photo shows the rapid wear and tear of the floor directly outside the entrance. Even though it's only foot traffic in this case, the twisting of footwear was enough to cause significant damage.

The final photo shows a degraded area of a slab where the fine trowelled finish has quickly worn through and begun to pit the surface. The rate of deterioration is much quicker once you have loose aggregates and sand that tend to contribute to the grinding of the surface.

A special thanks to Tough Floors for sending me these great photos!

If you're asked to install a resin floor on a slab that's showing any of the signs of weakness above, take care to carefully analyse the concrete and determine the best way to prepare the slab and build some integrity back into the surface first.

As always...

Take Care and Keep Smiling

Jack

@resinjack

I hope you enjoyed my post! If so, please scroll up and click the LIKE button. Better yet, SHARE it via the social media icons if you think it might help someone you know.

 A little bit about me – 

Jack Josephsen became known as “Resin Jack” while sitting on the committee to create a new Flooring Technology qualification in Australia.

Getting a proper resin flooring stream added to this qualification is just one of the problems he’s solved on his mission to make resin flooring mainstream.

Resin flooring businesses are held back, facing big hurdles or completely stuck because of the confusion that comes from being in an industry that's had no association, qualification, best practices or mainstream presence.

I help resin flooring businesses solve problems, so they can gain more clarity, direction and confidence.

By doing so, I can help build a stronger resin flooring industry that is capable of reaching its full potential and become a mainstream flooring option.

If you’ve got a resin flooring problem that you want solving, please get in touch.

A couple of years ago I wrote my first book, a 210-page epoxy contractor handbook titled: “Finally, real answers for real contractors – Industrial Flooring”, which is available through NACE and Amazon. Find out why it’s received 5-star reviews and have been endorsed by major industry bodies by clicking on the image below and grabbing a copy.