Restoration of reinforced concrete buildings

Without exception, building materials have a limited lifespan. Over time, any structure is subject to more or less rapid deterioration. Concrete and reinforced concrete, whose durability we have experience of lasting around a century, are no exception to this rule. Ultimately, any structure exposed to the elements needs to be maintained, repaired, rebuilt or replaced.

The weakest point in reinforced concrete, and the one that most jeopardizes its durability, is its reinforcement. Corrosion of metal parts is a potential threat to the preservation and stability of buildings. This phenomenon is reflected in the appearance, on surfaces exposed to the exterior, of various types of deterioration (rust stains, cracks, spalling, etc.).

If certain preventive or comfort measures are not applied, these physico-chemical phenomena can amplify and lead to deterioration of the reinforced concrete, which will no longer perform its load-bearing function. It is essential to detect the onset of steel corrosion as early as possible, before the process reaches a critical stage.

By acting quickly on a material that is still healthy, the corrosion mechanism can be slowed down or even stopped altogether.