Chematics Restoration Engineering ServicesStructural Restoration Engineering ServicesBelow are some of the core services offered by Chematics of the South Structural Concrete RepairChematics of the South is a member of the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) and follow the repair guidelines that ICRI publishes as industry standards today. Chematics of the South is well established in the restoration community with a reputation for performing quality work with integrity. We have a track record of providing long-term solutions to complex restoration projects. Our structural concrete repair experience includes but is not limited to removing all deteriorated concrete, exposing and restoring corroded reinforcing steel, surface prep of exposed reinforcing steel and concrete, application of corrosion retardant solutions, and finally backfilling the repair with appropriate patching material consisting of similar properties to the original concrete. Chematics of the South, incorporated for over 20 years has performed hundreds of diverse concrete repair projects ranging from small five figure projects to multi million dollar projects. Our mantra is treating every project the same, regardless of size, scale or complexity. General structural concrete repair includes but is not limited to:
Balcony RepairBecause balconies are horizontal and exposed to the elements, they are typically the first to receive large quantities of salt penetration form the salt lade air which leads to corrosion of reinforcing steel. Once repair is needed, it includes concrete repair, railing or rail cage removal/reinstallation or replacement, shutter removal/reinstallation or replacement, deck coating removal and replacement, replacement of caulk and waterproof membrane. Because balcony restoration is close in proximity to the owner's living space, the restoration requires timely and concise work. Today, most balcony decks include railing systems, rail cages, shutter tracks, etc. All of these components act as a “system” and addressing one and not the other can create short-term and long-term issues. It is critical that the restoration Contractor have experience working with all components of this “system” to ensure a successful long-term repair. General balcony repair includes but is not limited to:
Post-TensionStructures that were constructed using Post Tension Cable (PT cable) use steel cables as strengthening components. This construction method uses steel strands inside a plastic sheathing encapsulated with grease as a corrosion retardant. The strands inside the sheathing are tensioned against the concrete at the ends of the slab via a PT anchor head. It is critical that the PT anchor head be protected from the harsh environment. The design of PT cables creates a slab that can support more weight without having to add additional columns. Once installed, the PT cables are tensioned prior to removal of the forms during original construction. When a structure that has a PT cable design is in need of repair, the repair is much more complex than conventionally reinforced slabs. The anchor heads that are attached to the end of the structure are very sensitive and the restoration contractor must have experience restoring them. PT cables are under great tension loads and can pop like an over-stretched rubber band. If the Contractor is not precise during the restoration, the cable can snap and damage adjacent property or personnel. General PT repair includes but is not limited to:
Waterproofing & ProtectionThe harsh environment in which you are surrounded by penetrates most materials used in construction. Water, moisture, chlorides, etc., are present 24X7 and are relentless in infiltrating deteriorated coatings and or waterproof membranes. Eventually, as water infiltrates the concrete, it will penetrate the reinforcing steel and begin the corrosion process – which ultimately impacts the structural integrity of the structure. This water penetration that starts the corrosion process is the reason we are in business today. Once corrosion starts, the reinforcing steel expands 8-10 times its original volume and exerts forces on the concrete, causing the concrete to spall and crack. Every structure needs to maintain its coatings within 3-5 years of original construction. If this doesn’t happen, as we described above, the structure will deteriorate. It can take anywhere from 10-15 years for chlorides from the salt laden environment to reach the reinforcing steel and initiate the corrosion process. Then, it can only be a few years before major restoration and waterproofing is needed. Waterproofing includes utilizing materials for caulking, glazing, flashings, cold/hot membranes, clear sealers, roofing materials, and more. All waterproofing solutions are manufactured using various types of material. For example caulk can be purchased as a dielectric, urethane, silicone, acrylic or a combination of these materials. With so many materials available, it is critical that the Contractor stay abreast of all manufacturers and various products offered. It is also imperative that the Contractor apply the waterproof solutions in accordance with the recommended application procedures and manufacturer specifications. Chematics of the South has over 20 years experience, installing waterproofing systems to commercial and Condominium structures. General waterproofing includes but is not limited to:
Epoxy/Chemical InjectionOne thing we can guarantee you is that your concrete will crack. Cracks need to be treated as soon as they are visible to the human eye otherwise the harsh environment (Water, chlorides, humidity, moisture) will infiltrate your porous concrete and lead to structural issues. There are two types of injection solutions that Chematics focuses on, they include: Chemical injection: This methodology is used to stop water from penetrating cracks in concrete walls and slabs. Often times commercial and condominium structures have flower beds, fountains or decorative areas that are a source for leaks. Chemical injection is an alternative to ripping out and replacing with a waterproof membrane. There are many chemical injection solutions that are designed to expand (as much as 300%) once injected into the crack in the concrete. Epoxy Injection: This methodology is used to addresses structures that have gone through a one-time load or shift event. The epoxy acts as a glue-like substance in the crack. This type of repair will not be effective in areas of repetitive thermal movement induced cracks. General epoxy and chemical injection includes but is not limited to:
Expansion Joint ReplacementExpansion joint systems are typically used in all structures where the anticipated movement exceeds the design criteria of standard sealants. Many of the expansion joint systems available today can accommodate not only a large horizontal movement but also the differential shear caused by vertical movement. Inherently, expansion joints are challenging to keep covered and protected from the surrounding coastal environment. Therefore, when installing expansion joints, the joints must be properly sized to the opening and the anticipated design movement over a yearly cycle. This is even more important for coastal structures that are exposed to many storms, hurricanes and high force winds. These conditions exert movement and forces at the joints – and if the wrong solution is used, the structure will encounter a failed joint. Expansion Joints are another component of the structures “system” that needs annual monitoring and maintenance. Just like all technology, expansion joint solutions continue to evolve and your Contractor must have experience with various solutions. Chematics of the South has installed several expansion joint systems as part of our restoration work on plazas, walkways, and garages. General expansion joint installation includes but is not limited to:
Rail InstallationOne of the biggest challenges for Condominium structures is outdated railing systems. Inherently, rail systems hold water and if the rail system is core bored into the concrete slab, water will ultimately penetrate the concrete and cause deterioration. As the concrete deteriorates, so does the rail stanchion and eventually the entire rail system needs to be replaced. If not addressed early in the process, deteriorated rail stanchions will lead to significant concrete restoration work which leads to large sums of money. Today, there are many rail system options in the market. There are also various code requirements that need to be satisfied. Chematics highly recommends a 4” welded rail system that is base mounted to the concrete. Most rail manufacturers today offer 10+ year warranty and high end coating guarantees. In order to offer a variety of railing system options, Chematics of the South works with many railing manufacturers. We have installed over a million square feet of railing over the last 20 years and our experience and knowledge is unmatched. General railing installation includes but is not limited to:
Garage RepairGarage repair can be challenging because most garages continue to operate while the restoration is being performed. Therefore it is imperative the a comprehensive phased plan be established to accommodate traffic and minimize obstruction. Just like any other horizontal concrete surface, garage decks typically have issues once the chlorides from the slat laden air penetrate the reinforcing steel. It is critical that all of the deteriorated concrete is addressed and corrosion mitigation is used in the repair. Consideration must be taken as garage decks can be poured in place, pre-cast, post-tensioned slabs, one way slabs, two way slabs, etc. Other areas for concern are columns, electrical, any conduit on the ceiling and or piping. Although the basic methodology of concrete repair is the same; access, structural support, type of overhead repair, waterproofing, corrosion mitigation and value engineering must be evaluated. General garage restoration includes but is not limited to:
Plaza RestorationPlaza restoration is common as a structure ages. Like anything, the appearance after 15-20 years can become outdated and residents are in desire of a face-lift. Plaza restoration includes updating or replacing areas like pool decks, parking decks, recreational areas, basketball courts, tennis courts, etc. Often times, restoring a plaza deck is considered because of leaks and deterioration based on age and the original design. In general, these projects include demolition, value engineering, structural concrete repair, garage repair, load consideration, new architecture, waterproofing, pool re-coat/re-build, installation of pavers, fountains, landscaping, planters and other structures. Chematics of the South recently completed a plaza deck project in John’s Island whereby we restored the entire entrance with a high end waterproof membrane, tumbled pavers, landscape package and a fountain as a centerpiece. Although some of these endeavors require diverse skill-sets, Chematics has the depth and expertise in-house to beautify your structure. General plaza deck restoration includes but is not limited to:
Cathodic ProtectionThe restoration of concrete balconies, walkaways and garages is one of the largest expenses a condominium will face. Many owners today are demanding a long-term solution, rather than disruptive and expensive, short term repairs. By providing cathodic protection with necessary repairs provides a long term solution. The characteristics of new concrete naturally inhibit corrosion activity of reinforcing steel. However, coastal structures are exposed continuously to salt-laden air. This exposure eventually saturates the concrete with chlorides and initiates corrosion activity on the reinforcing steel. These corrosion-cells result in expansive forces caused by corroding rebar, which cracks and delaminates the surrounding concrete. Delaminating concrete weakens the structure, creates potential hazardous falling debris and is visually unappealing. The corrosion-rate accelerates exponentially with time and is increased by other factors such as high temperature and humidity. It may be a 10 to 15 year process for the first cycle of chloride contamination and concrete damage to occur. However, without proper corrosion-mitigating techniques, additional corrosion will cause new concrete damage in a relatively short time frame. This will result in ongoing concrete repairs, inconveniences, and expense. Eventually, the concrete may require full replacement. To avoid the ongoing repair cycle or full concrete replacement, impressed-current cathodic protection is the only proven technique to stop rebar corrosion in chloride contaminated reinforced concrete structures. By choosing a proper cathodic protection system, combined with necessary existing repairs, future major concrete damage and expense can be eliminated. Chematics of the South has been installing cathodic protection systems for over 15 years. Our experience and knowledge of cathodic protection systems in Florida is unmatched. General cathodic protection installation includes but is not limited to:
Concrete StrengtheningConcrete slabs that are above grade rely on rebar, external post tensioning cables, beams or some combination to achieve the Architect and Engineers desired strength. Strengthening of the structure is needed if the original construction was faulty, or the desired loading of the slab changes. For example, on a cantilevered walkway, if cracks and sagging are appearing by the load bearing column, this could be a sigh that strengthening is needed. As a rule, a Structural and Threshold Engineer are required to make these types of assessments and recommendations. Some examples of structural strengthening include the addition of steel beams, columns or post tension cables. As stated above, it is critical that the Contractor work with an experienced structural and threshold engineer to ensure a successful strengthening project. General strengthening installation includes but is not limited to:
Architectural CoatingsOne of the most significant aspects of any project is how the structure looks once the project is completed. All concrete work that is performed (excluding full tear off) is difficult to match up with the existing aesthetics of the structure. It is critical that a body or building envelope coating be part of any restoration plan. This effort will eliminate any inconsistencies in patch work and make the building appear transparent versus one that has just been riddled with repairs. As with most construction materials, the quality of coatings continues to evolve. Coatings come in various forms including but not limited to silicones, acrylic, urethane, waterproof, water resistant, breathable, elastomeric etc. With all of the options in the market place, it is critical that you work with a Contractor that has vast coating knowledge. Chematics of the South actually started in the coating business, manufacturing their own coatings – so we know coating. It is important to remember that the environment you live in is harsh, so not only is it important to know what type of coating will provide a durable solution, the Contractor must adhere to the manufacturers specifications. So many times, coating will be applied without meeting temperature, humidity or curing specifications which ultimately lead to failures, short-term issues and more money. General coating application includes but is not limited to:
Facade RestorationFacade Restoration projects include concrete repair, masonry repair, balcony repair, caulking replacement and exterior coatings. Facade restoration is typically more costly because it includes the use of scaffolding, swing stages, man-lifts or access equipment that is very expensive. Chematics of the South has been performing restoration projects for the last 20 years. We possess the in-house capabilities to perform complex restoration projects without having to go outside to third party subcontractors. |