If you're starting or expanding your business, you may be looking for a new property. After some time and research, you may have come across an ideal location and now it's time to get some reports and inspections back. If the property in question has basically a clean bill of health apart from a note about "concrete spalling," should you be concerned? What do you need to know about this condition that could cause you to turn away?

The Cancer Risk

There is another word for this type of condition, and it may cause you to pay a little more attention. Concrete cancer is as serious as the name implies. This happens when the steel reinforcement that is put into the walls and structures initially starts to corrode. When the steel rusts, it expands markedly and causes the concrete that surrounds it to be pushed out and become brittle. As cracks appear in the concrete, more water can get in and cause the rust problem to expand further.

It's not always easy to spot the signs of concrete cancer, and many people misinterpret the situation as simple wear and tear. While concrete can require some upkeep and maintenance as time goes by, a building inspector will always question whether spalling is at the root of the problem and investigate.

Sooner Than Later

The previous owner of the property may not have been aware of the extent of the issue. It's also possible that they were, but they chose to defer taking any action, which is always a mistake. If left to continue, the process will lead to destabilisation. It's possible that pieces of concrete may fall off and could of course present a hazard to yourself or members of the public.

Under the Carpet?

Furthermore, some people think that they can fix the problem by simply rendering over the cracks. This may well be "out of sight, out of mind," but the decay will still be taking place beneath the surface. Eventually the steel reinforcement will need to be completely replaced instead of repaired.

Exercising Caution

If you've been offered a particularly good deal for the property you're looking at, ask yourself whether this is too good to be true. It could be that the outgoing seller appreciates the extent of the spalling problem, and that you may be underestimating the cost of remedial repair.

Have a word with an expert in these matters before you go any further.

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