Spalling is when pieces of concrete crack and flake off. Spalling is also sometimes referred to as concrete scaling.
Causes of spalling concrete
Spalling is caused by water entering the concrete, causing the surface to flake or peel off. Spalling happens when there’s too much moisture in the concrete.
Spalling happens in concrete bricks – which are common in some – and in poured concrete. It happens more often in areas with a high level of salt in the water and a freeze/thaw cycle. De-icing agents also contribute to spalling. If you’ve seen the effect of salt on concrete during the winter, you’ve probably seen spalling.