What Is Concrete Honeycombing & Do You Need To Fix It?
What You Need To Know About Concrete Honeycombing
Walking down the street you may have noticed on the sidewalk or road that resembles the look of a beehive on the concrete. This bumpy condition is often referred to as concrete honeycombing and causes broken bits of rock and stone on the edges of a concrete slab. While it’s not always common, it’s usually a result of voids in concrete due to the mortar not filling the spaces between coarse particles.
While this may not seem like a big deal, if it’s something you notice happening to the concrete foundation that supports your home, should it be considered a serious issue?
What causes concrete honeycombing?
Typically, concrete honeycombing can be caused by a range of factors, but the most common include weak compaction and holes/gaps in the formwork. Weak compaction causes the mortar to fill voids between the coarse aggregate. Holes and gaps, on the other hand, allow mortar to drain out of the concrete.
In some cases, the shape, detailing and placement of reinforced compounds can affect compaction.
Can it damage a home?
In general, concrete honeycombing is considered a cosmetic condition that can only be found on the exterior areas of the concrete pour. However, if left untreated over a long period of time, moisture could penetrate the exposed areas. This could cause serious structural conditions, including concrete cancer. Here, the steel reinforcement would rust from within the concrete layers and begin to push away the concrete surrounding it.
How can this condition be repaired?
While it may not seem necessary to rectify immediately, we recommend getting the issue fixed as soon as possible. The first step is to remove the layers of honeycomb until suitable concrete is exposed. The area then needs to be cleaned thoroughly by removing all loose aggregate. Then the non-shrink grout can be applied after wetting the slab. Lastly, apply texture and color to match the aesthetic finish.
Prevent concrete honeycombing with MSB Form
Poor workmanship is typically the cause of concrete honeycombing. Using effective tools to control the pour of concrete is the easiest way to eliminate concrete honeycombing. An efficient enforcer such as MSB Form can help to ensure tight compaction for a sleek and safe look when pouring concrete. Fixing to concrete, plywood or the ground, no matter what your operation entails, MSB Form is there to support you.
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MSB Form is made from zinc-plated steel, powder coated, and designed to improve efficiency when laying concrete slabs. With five different frames available for a range of use cases depending on the project, MSB Form is the innovative and hassle-free way to brace up concrete formwork.
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