Can standing water damage concrete flooring?

Concrete flooring is an extremely durable, hard-wearing type of flooring. When laid correctly by a concrete specialist, concrete flooring boasts an extremely long lifespan, with the same high performance and flawless aesthetic.

However, standing water is one of the most common causes of damage to concrete flooring. If standing water can be allowed to sit on the flooring for excessive time, then this can have a significant impact on the flooring’s finish and performance.

Below, our team of concrete experts have outlined the potential effects of standing water on concrete flooring, plus the signs of water damage on concrete, and the most effective ways to prevent standing water and water damage.

What are the potential effects of standing water on concrete flooring?

If left untreated, standing water can cause significant damage to concrete flooring. This damage not only includes irreversible visual imperfections on the concrete’s surface, but also increases the risk of serious structural weakening and deterioration.

The potential effects of standing water on concrete flooring include:

• Causing the concrete’s surface to deteriorate
• Weakening the concrete’s structure
• Causing the concrete’s reinforcements to deteriorate
• Increasing the risk of concrete cracking. This is caused by water becoming trapped in the pores of the concrete, and freeze-thaw cycles occurring as the temperatures change.
• Increasing the risk of concrete chipping
• Causing irreversible staining
• Increasing the risk of mould and mildew forming (more on this below)
• Increasing the risk of efflorescence developing (more on this below)

What are the signs of water damage on concrete?

You can identify water damage on concrete flooring by looking for the following signs:

• Damp or moisture on the flooring’s surface
• The growth of mould and mildew – if this is not immediately recognisable as mould, this can also be identified by either dark spots or patches of discolouration
• The formation of efflorescence – this is a white powder, which is caused by evaporating water leaving behind water-soluble salts.
• Flaking or chipping concrete
• Cracks developing on the concrete’s surface

However, you should tackle the presence of any standing water before these signs are allowed to develop.

Remove standing water from your concrete flooring as soon as you identify it. Otherwise, if these symptoms arise, then they can result in costly repairs or replacements. They may even permanently compromise your concrete flooring.

What are the most effective ways to prevent standing water and water damage on concrete flooring?

Thankfully, with the help of a professional concrete specialist, standing water and water damage are easily preventable.

Some of the most common methods for preventing standing water from developing on concrete flooring are:

• Carefully grading the area around the property, so that water is strategically directed away from areas that are vulnerable to water damage
• Installing drainage systems in your flooring’s foundations
• Adding concrete sealer to your flooring
• Adding a waterproof membrane to your flooring
• Ensuring any cracks are repaired as soon as you notice them
• Implementing a regular inspection schedule, so that any issues are addressed before they are allowed to develop

At iMix Concrete, our team of concrete specialists are highly trained, fully accredited, and have extensive experience across a wide range of concrete project types.

We are the trusted concrete suppliers of clients across London, Kent, Essex and beyond, delivering premium quality, ready mixed concrete. What’s more, our modern fleet of over 20 specialist vehicles allows us to deliver concrete to a rapid delivery schedule, even committing to the same or next day delivery.

If you have any further questions about the most common risks to concrete flooring, or to speak to a concrete specialist about installing concrete flooring in your property, contact our team.