Concrete Replacement

Replacement is favoured when deterioration extends through most of the section, the base has failed, reinforcement or load transfer is inadequate, elevations must change, or previous shallow patches have repeatedly debonded. Local repair remains suitable when sound concrete can carry the intended load. Harrowgate verifies depth and support before defining the removal limit.

We combine sounding, visual mapping, cores, reinforcing scans, survey, and test openings. Limits extend beyond delamination, cracking, contamination, or unsupported edges to competent concrete and base. Structural areas follow the engineer's sequence. Sawcuts are laid out around retained reinforcement, services, joints, drainage, and practical pour geometry rather than following only visible surface damage.

Yes. We divide work at designed joints or engineered pour boundaries, maintain protected routes, and schedule noise, removal, concrete delivery, curing, and reopening around production or tenant needs. Each phase must still allow proper reinforcement, concrete placement, testing, and cure. Temporary ramps or plates are used only where their support and loading are approved.

Strength is selected by the engineer and CSA exposure requirements, not by one universal value. Many exterior placements specify at least 32 MPa, while industrial, structural, early-opening, or low-permeability work may differ. Air content, aggregate, shrinkage, curing, and permeability can be as important as compressive strength for actual service conditions.

Traffic return depends on mixture, slab thickness, temperature, curing, test results, axle load, and edge condition. Harrowgate ties reopening to the specified strength milestone or approved maturity data. Pedestrian access, light service, forklifts, and loaded transport trucks do not receive the same release time, and coatings or sealants can require additional cure.

We scan and expose bars with controlled tools, then clean and assess them against the repair drawings. Sound bars are retained with adequate clearance and development. Corroded or damaged bars are supplemented or replaced as directed. New dowels and couplers are installed with recorded drilling, cleaning, embedment, alignment, and adhesive cure before concrete placement.

Common causes include unstable base, restrained shrinkage, late joint cutting, rapid moisture loss, re-entrant corners, excessive water, thermal change, and early loading. Harrowgate addresses these through base testing, compatible reinforcement, planned joints, controlled placement, evaporation protection, continuous curing, and a defined reopening threshold. The crack-control plan is set before the truck arrives.