In parts one and two of this multi-part blog series, we've gone over the issues with standing water on your property as it relates to your concrete surfaces. Moisture and concrete are not an ideal blend, and while a bit of contact with water is just fine, preventing long-term standing water issues on your concrete slabs is important for their durability and lifespan.
At Lift Right Concrete, our commercial and residential concrete lifting and leveling services assist many clients who are dealing with damage primarily caused by water. In addition, however, we're happy to assist with general expertise and tips to prevent future such issues, especially if they've already caused a need for concrete repair on your property. Here are some general prevention and property tips, plus a quick word on another form of damage you avoid if you adhere to these.
We've gone over many of the risks and dangers of standing water on concrete already in this series, but we also wanted to address a couple other trickle-down areas that will negatively impact your concrete or your property. The first of these is discoloration: Concrete slabs exposed to major standing water damage will often change color and become quite unsightly, which decreases curb appeal for visible areas.
In addition, this issue often leads to sinking of your surfaces. This is most harmful when it relates to the home or building's foundation, as we discussed in part one, but it also may take place in other areas of your property if you aren't careful.
We wanted to give some specific notes on one potential result of standing water, especially on commercial properties: Bird baths, which form when significant standing water impacts an area like a street or parking lot with significant water. Because these areas sometimes get less attention from property owners, they may go months or even years without being addressed.
However, this comes with a huge risk for the concrete surface. Replacing large concrete areas with new pours is very expensive, but you can avoid this by maintaining proper drainage and upkeep in the area – and by calling our pros if you see minor water damage issues.
That same theme we just hit is vital for all properties: Simply paying attention to your concrete and managing any water or related issues that arise goes a long way. Consider things like the way your surfaces slope – are they directing water to your concrete surfaces (bad) or away from them (good)? In addition, if you have current cracks or gaps in your concrete, contact our team for affordable repairs that will prevent additional moisture infiltration and further damage.
For more on the problems with standing water and concrete, or to learn about any of our concrete repair solutions, speak to the staff at Lift Right Concrete today.
