Concrete Cancer Repair in Wollongong

Water can seep into cracks or pores in concrete and react with the steel reinforcing, and the product of that reaction is rust. The trouble is twofold: the corrosion product takes up more volume than the metal it formed from, and the part of the concrete that gives it strength is the part that is corroding. The rust then pushes outwards. In UNSW's newsroom the end of the process is described as the concrete fracturing apart, known as spalling and more widely called “concrete cancer”.

Why it keeps growing

Rust formation opens bigger cracks, and each new crack lets more water in, so the concrete degrades further. It remains a major concern in older buildings. The NSW Government sets the licence line: a contractor licence is needed to carry out, advertise or contract for building or trade work valued above A$5,000 in labour and materials, GST included.

Ask what the quote assumes about how far the steel has corroded, and who will look at the structure where the damage goes beyond the surface.

Is there a concrete cancer licence?

NSW has no licence class of its own for concrete cancer repair. Building or trade work valued above A$5,000 in labour and materials, GST included, needs a contractor licence, so ask which licence the quote sits under.

What causes concrete cancer?

Water can seep into cracks or pores in concrete and react with the steel reinforcing, and the product of that reaction is rust. The trouble is twofold: the corrosion product takes up more volume than the metal it formed from, and the part of the concrete that gives it strength is the part that is corroding.

Why does it get worse?

Rust formation opens bigger cracks, and each new crack lets more water in, so the concrete degrades further.