Parking structure repair and maintenance can involve a lot of work due to the massive square footage of multi-level garages and parking lots. Here, we have put together a series of options to help you fix cracks in a parking deck in simplified steps. Settling and shrinkage cracks happen naturally as the concrete ages and can be aggravated by vehicular traffic. Without proper treatment, these cracks can develop further into the concrete and the waterproofing membranes overtop. Through ongoing maintenance, cracks can be minimized they will not lead to greater issues like leaks and water infiltration to the surfaces below.
Common Reasons for Concrete Cracks
Concrete cracks are highly common in parking garages and here are several reasons why they occur:
- Thermal cycling extremes
- Initial settling cracks not treated
- Structure settling and aging
- Waterproofing was applied before concrete reaches 85% of its final compressive strength
- Extreme movement
Fixing Cracked Concrete Floors
For those who are on a time or budget crunch, making use of Tremco’s Dymonic 100 can provide an effective treatment for short-term repairs. Rout out the cracks 1/4 inch wide by 1/4 inch deep using a blade or grinder. Use a broom to clean the surface and blow with a blower. Apply the sealant into the crack and properly tool it before letting it cure. To repair concrete cracks to achieve enduring waterproofing protection, here are the other three methods:
- No Existing Traffic Coating – Rout out the cracks 1/4 inch wide by 1/4 inch deep with a crack chasing blade or grinder. Use a broom to clean the surface and blow with a blower. Apply the Tremco Dymonic 100 into the routed crack and tool. After curing, you can install additional waterproofing layer across the deck for protection.
- Minor Cracks in Existing Traffic Coating – For localized repairs in a traffic coating system, start by squaring off the area to be repaired and completely remove existing coating to bare concrete. Make use of scarifying or grinding methods for this process. Rout out cracks 1/4 inch wide by 1/4 inch deep by using a chasing blade or crack. Use a broom to clean the surface and blow it with a blower. Apply the Tremco Dymonic 100 into the routed crack and tool it before allowing it to cure fully. Next, to allow for a smooth transition of the area, feature out the edges of the current well bonded coating. Reinstall a suitable traffic coating according to proper instructions and overlap the new coating over the current coating by 2 inches. Let it fully cure before providing access to vehicular traffic.
- Widespread Cracks in Existing Traffic Coating – For widespread cracks, you may either remove and re-install all the coating or just a large portion of it. Clean it down to bare concrete using scarifying or grinding methods. Clean out the concrete using a high pressure washer and make sure it gets dry fully. Check the concrete surface profile and achieve 3 to 4 of proper ICRI concrete surface profile. You should also remove any old or damaged sealants and replace them. Route out the cracks and seal with Tremco Dymonic 100 and tool them and cure.