Seeing your brand-new concrete slab start to flake is a frustrating experience. In this blog post, you’ll learn the answer to the question, “Why is my new concrete flaking?” You’ll learn about the common causes of flaking, what happens when surface damage continues to spread, and when to repair versus replace your concrete slab.
At Arise Concrete Leveling, we offer concrete leveling in Wichita and replacement services when extensive damage makes your slab unsafe and unstable. If you’re dealing with a slab that’s beyond repair, contact us to schedule replacement services.
What Causes Concrete Flaking?
Concrete flaking happens when the top layer of a slab breaks apart and peels away. The surface starts to chip, crumble, or shed small pieces, which exposes weaker material underneath. The following sections describe some of the most common reasons your new concrete slab is already flaking:
Poor Concrete Mix
A poor concrete mix creates a weak surface from the start. Too much water, low-quality materials, or incorrect proportions reduce strength and durability. The surface cannot handle traffic or weather exposure, so it begins to flake.
Improper Curing
Improper curing prevents concrete from reaching its full strength. When the surface dries too fast, it creates a weak top layer. The weak surface cannot handle normal wear, so it begins to flake shortly after installation.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Freeze-thaw cycles cause water inside the concrete to expand and contract as temperatures change. When moisture freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the surface layer. Repeated cycles weaken the top layer until it cracks, flakes, and breaks apart.
Deicing Salts
Deicing salts damage concrete by drawing moisture to the surface and intensifying the destructive effects of freeze-thaw cycles. The salts also break down the paste that binds the concrete together. Over time, this leads to surface scaling and visible flaking.
Cleaning the concrete might temporarily help remove salt buildup, but it won’t reverse surface damage once flaking starts.
Understanding When To Repair Versus Replace Your Flaking Concrete Slab
The idea of replacing your brand-new concrete slab might seem frustrating, but if you let it continue to deteriorate, the damage will spread, weaken the slab, and ultimately lead to a full replacement.
Minor surface scaling may allow for short-term repair, but repairs will not last if the surface continues to break down. When concrete spalling spreads, exposes aggregate, or weakens the slab, replacement becomes the better option. Early flaking often points to deeper issues, such as improper curing or a poor concrete mix, which means the surface will keep failing no matter how many times you patch it.
Call Arise Concrete Leveling To Schedule Leveling Services in Wichita
In this blog post, you learned the answer to the question, “Why is my new concrete flaking?” If the flaking on your slab concrete has gone beyond repair, call Arise Concrete Leveling at (316) 867-6565 to schedule concrete replacement services in Wichita, KS.
Make sure you check out our other blog post on the different types of concrete damage so you can figure out whether your concrete needs leveling, soil stabilization, or full replacement.
