Concrete that is structurally weak is very porous, so it allows water to seep through spaces easier. You can identify structurally weak concrete by looking at its surface. For example, if concrete is pitting, it will have multiple craters along its surface. Structurally weak concrete is more likely to crack under specific circumstances, such as settling and when dealing with hydrostatic pressure. If the concrete was stronger, the damage wouldn’t be as severe. Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to make concrete stronger after it has already been made and poured. The characteristics that the concrete has, such as its permeability, strength, and flexibility are all determined while the concrete is being created. Concrete is supposed to get stronger as the years go by, so if you’re seeing structural damage on concrete, especially if it’s only a few years old, there’s nothing you can do about its weakness except make sure that it’s as protected as possible. If it’s pitting, you need to make sure that it doesn’t get affected by freeze-thaw, since the damage from the ice can cause it to break quickly. The craters you see along the surface exist inside the structure as well, so the expanding ice only widens the craters and breaks the concrete apart. While your weak, outdoor concrete should avoid freeze-thaw damage as much as possible, the concrete in your Cleveland home’s foundation should be supported at the slightest hint of bowing. Weak walls will buckle quickly under the stress of the accumulated groundwater. To avoid excessive foundation damage, contact us for foundation repairs. Even if the wall is bowing less than two inches inward, this can be solved with the use of carbon fiber straps. The straps serve as a sort of reinforcement system that stabilizes walls and keeps them from buckling.