Why do garage slabs rebar rust?
Why are suspended garage slabs so prone to having the repar inside rust?
Expert
Maestro
Rusting may occur on any slab where moisture is present, of course, but one of the most troublesome areas is suspended garage floor slabs. In areas where salts are used on roads, vehicles carry salts and slush into garages during the winter months. This moisture leaks down into slabs and the salt water rusts the steel reinforcing bar quickly.
Steel expands to 6 or 10 times its original volume as it corrodes. This will crack or spall the concrete dramatically. This deterioration is sometimes called delamination. The strength of suspended concrete slabs is dramatically reduced when the rebar rusts. Repairs can be expensive and replacement may be necessary. There are several strategies to address this problem, although they are not common on single family homes.
Watch for evidence of rusting at slab surfaces, particularly on suspended slabs (tops and bottoms) where you can get a look. Where you see suspended slabs and evidence of rusting, either on the top of bottom, we recommend further investigation by a specialist.
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