Repair of reinforced concrete pillars: our tips

Reinforced concrete structures are widespread as a highly effective solution due to their enormous strength. Reinforced concrete is widespread in large-scale construction, both in buildings of various types and functions and in tunnels, bridges and a large number of industrial works.

However, even such materials can suffer from damage and require repairs. Reality shows that, like many other building materials, they undergo significant degradation processes that require maintenance and repair work.

At Molins we are experts. And we offer you technical advice and a wide range for the repair of reinforced concrete structures. So, for the repair of reinforced concrete pillars we can offer you a lot of tips. We have everything you need to get down to work.

Reinforced concrete columns: definition

To begin with, a reinforced concrete column is a vertical structural element that takes the loads from the different floors of the building and transmits them to the foundation.

Despite the enormous strength of reinforced concrete, reinforced concrete pillars also suffer from damage, cracks and dampness, which require all kinds of repairs.

At Molins, we have a technical team that can offer you the most appropriate solution depending on the damage. Our professionals will explain step by step how to solve problems such as repairing a cracked column or rusted reinforcement.

The first thing to bear in mind is that the timely repair of a reinforced concrete column prevents the development of cracks, fissures or spalling.

We are talking about constructive elements that do not offer their maximum safety and endanger the building, so it is essential to repair the pillars in order to preserve full safety for the structure and, of course, for the inhabitants of the building.

It is therefore essential to know the causes of the damage to the column in order to make a proper diagnosis of the pathology: design flaws, execution defects, water leaks, erosion, atmospheric conditions, rust and corrosion cracking the concrete column, etc.

We are experts and have been working for almost a hundred years on all types of solutions to any type of damage. The most common and frequent is carbonation, a chemical process in which the concrete loses its capacity to protect the reinforcement against corrosion. Carbonation advances as a front in the concrete and when it reaches the reinforcement, in the presence of humidity, corrosion begins.

The rebars, as they rust, increase in volume, producing internal stresses in the concrete that result in spalling or spalling, which can eventually weaken the structure.

Reinforcement corrosion can also be caused by the action of chlorides, known as pitting corrosion, which is common in coastal or mountain areas where de-icing salts are used (it occurs at certain points of the reinforcement, in a discontinuous manner).

Tips for repairing reinforced concrete columns

For all these reasons, it is a priority to establish a map of deterioration in order to make decisions and choose the best products from our range. The sooner you come to Molins, the sooner you will receive our technical advice and learn about the different ways to repair in an optimal way.

How to repair a wall, a pillar or any reinforced concrete structure? We have the best advice and audiovisual material in our e-training section. We explain in detail how to solve problems in concrete pillars that have been affected by different pathologies and how to repair, protect and reinforce structures. And we offer you specific cases and reference works in which Molins details the repair step by step.

In general terms, for the repair of a column with pathologies, we cannot forget fundamental aspects such as: the shoring up of the structure and the previous action notes; the demolition of concrete in poor condition; the cleaning of the reinforcement until the rust is completely eliminated; protection of the reinforcement with special products to achieve protective coatings; recomposition of the initial geometry of the pillars with mortar, etc.

In the case of a building with serious damage to its pillars, do not hesitate to contact the Molins team to receive the technical advice you need.

We have a wide range of products. Our repair mortars from the PROPAM® REPAR TECHNO range are thixotropic, sulphur-resistant, ideal for complex repairs and in demanding environments. We are talking about the rehabilitation of all types of concrete structures where the reinforcement has been exposed and must be protected.

Properties of this range:

• Structural repair with one product and in one step.
• High mechanical resistance.
• Sulphate resistance.
• High thixotropy.
• Applicable in thicknesses from 2 to 50 mm manually or by spraying.
• Protects armour from corrosion.

In addition, among its applications, we highlight that it is ideal for pillars, beams, slab edges and slabs. But also for all types of structural concrete repair and structural rehabilitation of buildings.

In this sense, for structural concrete repairs we have PROPAM® REPAR TECHNO 40 and PROPAM® REPAR TECHNO, Class R4. We recommend you read our post on R4 mortar and its role in repair.

Both products are recommended for the structural repair of pillars, but also for balcony fronts, slab edges, cornices, etc. and precast concrete structures with a fine aesthetic finish.

We also recommend these two products for the reconstruction of beams or columns with exposed reinforcement, as well as for the realisation of half reeds in waterproofing works.

And for non-structural repairs, Molins also offers its solutions:

PROPAM® REPAR TECHNO 20 (sulphur-resistant, fibre-reinforced mortar for concrete repair) and PROPAM® REPAR 20R (for fast-setting, quick-hardening repair in 2 hours), both with maximum reliability and efficiency. Suitable for the aesthetic repair of balcony fronts, slab edges, repair and smoothing of façades, edges, cracks, execution of half-rounds…