7. Concrete surface treatment

Unlike compact, non-porous materials such as ceramics, granite and glass, concrete facings lose some of their surface laitance with each wash, making them more sensitive and fragile on the surface. It is therefore necessary to protect them against the risks of damage caused by abrasion induced by the transit of hard dust in micro-cracks, against the cyclical actions of freezing and thawing, and also against the increased permeability of concrete (which favors the migration of moisture, a factor that aggravates the risks of corrosion of reinforcement).

At present, the best protection solutions involve the following two treatments: hardening and waterproofing.