Spalling concrete that has started to peel, flake, or crumble at the surface level is incredibly unattractive. As well as being unsightly, however, it can be a source of issues within your home. As such, you should address it quickly.
Immediate Dangers
Spalling may seem harmless at first, but it can actually result in more serious issues quite quickly. First and foremost, concrete that has become pitted or damaged to a severe extent can form a tripping or falling hazard for anyone in the room. Taking a spill onto a hard concrete floor is no one’s idea of a good time, and it can quite easily result in broken bones and serious injuries.
Furthermore, spalled concrete can create an unhealthy environment by increasing the amount of dust and debris that is washing into your sump pump, gathering in your drains, and even lingering in the air. As well as potentially causing appliance breakdown or drainage clogs, this can exacerbate any pre-existing respiratory issues you may have.
Long-Term Dangers
Spalling is a progressive issue that will only get worse over time. Once the smooth top layer of a concrete surface has flaked or broken away, the less durable and more porous center becomes exposed. This can result in small areas of pitting and flaking progressing into craters and severe dips in your floor. As well as the obvious tripping hazard, this will undermine the stability of your home over time by exposing the concrete to the elements more readily.
Furthermore, spalling can be a sign of more serious issues at work. For example, if you have fine hairline cracks or defects running through your concrete, moisture can seep in and exacerbate them. Spalling will be one of the first signs of this, but it can quickly progress into serious stability issues within the structure as a whole. As such, it is best to assess the situation as soon as possible.