Concrete deterioration and restoration in harsh chemical environments

Although many people perceive concrete to be solid and stone-like, the reality is that many things present in industrial applications can cause the concrete to break down, erode, and collapse over a period of time. Unprotected concrete can be attacked and degraded quite easily, leading to a loss of strength and a decrease in safety for those people working in and around the structure. Companies such as Vector Construction have been leading the way in either treating or restoring damaged concrete.

Chemical plants that produce materials such as fertilizers use substances that can leak into the concrete and cause damage to the structure. Although we think of concrete as a solid structure with no holes, concrete is actually porous. There are voids and micro-cracks within the structure that can easily absorb chemicals such as Nitric Acid or Ammonium Sulfate. Untreated concrete is like a hard sponge, absorbing liquids that it comes in contact with.

One initial solution to this is to treat the concrete after it has been set. A common application is to apply chemical-resistant linings and coatings in areas where the chemicals will be handled. A company could also have chemical resistant flooring installed over the concrete to prevent leaching into the structure. By installing protective barriers over the concrete, its lifespan can be increased dramatically.

Vector Construction also offers maintenance contracts for chemical plants that need someone to analyze the concrete in their structure on a regular basis, maintain protective coatings and linings, and prevent large-scale repairs from happening.

We also can work within a plant’s budget is repairs are needed, offering a variety of services to maintain the integrity and strength of the concrete within the plant. Vector Construction has the concrete restoration experience to work efficiently and quickly, limiting the down time and ensuring the plant is back up and running as soon as possible.

To learn more about how Vector Construction can help and what concrete restoration projects we’ve worked on, contact one of our amazing staff members today.