Reinforcing Readiness: Concrete Tips
for Hurricane Season
Concrete isn’t just the world’s most trusted building material — it’s one of the toughest. But even strong structures need adequate care to ensure they can continue carrying out their work safely. With Atlantic hurricane season fast approaching and experts anticipating an above-average number of named-storm threats, now is the time to ensure your concrete structures are ready for whatever lies ahead. Whether you have a freshly poured foundation or decades-old concrete roadways, extreme conditions can take a toll. Here, General Chipping’s concrete pros offer insights to keep your crew and projects protected all season long, and
your fleet ready to roll.
Protect Your Pours Against Storm Scenarios
High Winds Put Concrete to the Test: Concrete’s legendary strength makes it a go-to option for builds in areas prone to wild weather, but even the strongest structures aren’t immune to damage. Check existing concrete for cracks, weaknesses and defects before storms roll in, and make repairs when possible. Remember to reinspect after severe weather hits, too. A quick evaluation today can prevent more significant problems tomorrow.
Heavy Rains Result in Wear & Health Worries: Standing water on roadways, parking lots, concrete flooring and infrastructure can lead to a form of erosion called scouring — and, in extreme cases, structural failure. Soaked concrete also often harbors mold and bacteria which can be dangerous to people, pets and wildlife. When pouring fresh material, limit your set concrete’s exposure to moisture. Following a high-water event, perform a careful inspection for new damage. The sooner you spot and address potential trouble, the less likely it is to require costly repairs.
Sites Themselves Require Storm Season TLC: Storm scenarios don’t just carry impacts for your finished product. Issues such as equipment at risk of being blown around and puddled water near power sources can result in serious — sometimes deadly — safety hazards. Have a clear weather contingency plan in place for your job sites, factoring in everything from who needs to report where to what needs to happen and how to remain in touch with the team as work progresses. Communicate your plan early and often to ensure your crew is on the same page and fully
prepared.
How Does Flooding Affect Concrete? Storm Season Answers and Insights
As wild weather scenarios make headlines more and more frequently, people everywhere find themselves looking for ways to ward off potential storm damage, better protect their construction sites and position communities more safely for the road ahead. For many, that means seeking answers to questions such as “how does flooding affect concrete?” or “what could we be doing better?”
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