In part one of this multi-part blog series, we went over some of the basics on why standing water is such a risk to concrete surfaces on your property. From basic physical hazards to the way water damages concrete continuously over time and several other areas, there are a few important reasons why you want to prevent major standing water risks on concrete areas.
At Lift Right Concrete, we're happy to provide numerous residential and commercial concrete lifting and leveling services, including for concrete that's been damaged by moisture infiltration or related themes over time. One of the key items we note to clients when they're dealing with these concerns: The importance of addressing standing water and concrete issues quickly so they don't worsen, which will happen if you leave them for too long. Let's dive in.
It's understandable why some home or building owners don't deal with standing water right away – water is a normal part of our lives, and it's not unusual at all to see puddles after a rainstorm, so it's not exactly a top-of-mind item for many who lead busy lives. However, for those with concrete surfaces on their property, this can come with some risks.
Specifically, there is no such thing as water damage to a concrete slab that improves over time – only the opposite. The longer your slab deals with moisture seeping into its interior, especially during winter where this moisture risks cracking settling concerns, the worse the damage will become, and the more expensive repairs or replacements will be. If you deal with them immediately, on the other hand, you might avoid concrete damage or repair issues altogether.
Our next couple sections will go over a couple specific areas to attend to when dealing with standing water.
One of the key culprits in standing water issues is an issue with your drainage system in the area. Low concrete areas will often come with a water drain to prevent standing water issues – but if this drain isn't adequately maintained, it may clog or back up and cause standing water issues to take place anytime it rains or snows. If you've had these issues in the past, we recommend keeping a close eye on your outdoor drains and having them serviced regularly.
In addition, we wanted to note an area that doesn't speak directly to concrete, but is still important for standing water: Related health risks. Standing water is a major source of bacteria, mold, parasites and other contaminants, including those that cause serious illness to people or pets. It also leads to major mold growth concerns, plus pest issues we discussed in part one.
For more on standing water and why it's so important to remove from concrete areas, or to learn about any of our concrete repair services, speak to the staff at Lift Right Concrete today.
