If you are going to buy a home, wait a minute! Many people prefer buying a home rather than building it. You can move into your new house quickly and start living there. Also, you can save up to 10-20% of the amount if you buy a home. But all these facts can be a sugarcoat to hide some significant cons of buying a house. Whether it's an apartment, flat, building, or multistory house, it's important to have a concrete testing. Why? Let's figure out the reasons first.

5 Reasons Why You Should Go for A Concrete Testing 

Safety Of People and Your Family:

Earlier this year, the deadly earthquake in Turkey caused a loss of over 20,000 people and affected Southern California as well. This tragedy surely raises concern about the structural quality of any building. A concrete testing helps ensure that the concrete structure, whether it's a building, bridge, dam, or any other infrastructure, is structurally sound. It can identify cracks, deterioration, or other issues that could compromise the integrity of the concrete, potentially leading to structural failure if left unaddressed. Concrete testing can identify safety hazards, such as weakened or deteriorated concrete, that could pose a risk to people or property. You can ask the seller to give you concrete testing reports.  

Calculate the Age of The House

Although it is not a foolproof technique, it can help in estimating the lifespan of concrete structures. It can give you some clues of the age of the building. Concrete naturally deteriorates over time and shows signs of wear and tear. By examining concrete samples, an expert can look for characteristics such as the type of aggregates used, the mix design, or the presence of additives or technologies that were common during a particular time period. These details can give a rough estimate of when the concrete was poured.

To Know About Required Maintenance

There could be many existing issues that need to be repaired before you move. A thorough examination of the concrete surfaces to find pinpoint areas with significant cracks, spalling, Efflorescence, and other visible problems. By doing so, you can also assess the extent of the damage. Some problems may be superficial and require minor repairs, while others may need extensive maintenance. This information guides decision-making regarding the scope and urgency of maintenance work.

Understanding the Cause of Problems

Most of our clients address many problems regarding their building, like shrinkage, spalling, crazing, scaling, settlement, Efflorescence, corrosion, crumbling, erosion, and so on. Concrete testing can help you to identify the root causes of issues. For example, if cracking is due to water infiltration, you can pinpoint the areas where water is penetrating and causing damage.

Estimating Future Maintenance Needs

Concrete testing can provide insights into the expected life cycle of the concrete and the timeline for future maintenance. This information is valuable for long-term maintenance planning and budgeting.

Preventing Costly Repairs

While inspections do incur costs, they are generally much more cost-effective than dealing with the consequences of structural failure or extensive repairs.

What Should You Need to Do in Home Inspection

While performing a house inspection of your building, you need to look over the inspection of both interior and exterior.

Exterior Inspection

  • Look for cracks. Note the size, location, and direction of cracks. Larger or deeper cracks may indicate structural issues, while smaller cracks are often cosmetic.
  • Check for signs of spalling (flaking or chipping) and scaling (surface layer breaking off).
  • Look for white, powdery deposits on the concrete surface, known as Efflorescence.
  • Identify any stains on the concrete, such as oil, rust, or other discolorations.
  • Check for settling (sinking) or heaving (raising) on uneven surfaces.
  • Look for signs of movement or shifting in load-bearing areas like steps, walkways, and retaining walls.
  • Corrosion or rust in steel reinforcement
  • Any seals or coatings that may have been applied to the concrete.

Interior Inspection

  • Check for all the plumbing and electrical connections. Make sure that there is no leakage of electricity and water. You can check it via GPR professional services.
  • Look for clean ventilation, sunlight, and air conditioning systems.
  • Expansion joints and control joints
  • Floor's leveling
  • Inside pipes, sewer lines, chimneys, and electrical panels.
  • The proper working of all the doors, windows, and other mechanical aspects.
  • All the other things mentioned to inspect in exterior inspection.

What You Should Do for A Deep Inspection of Your House?

It would be better if you hire a professional for a complete concrete testing. Only a professional can help you do it in a better way unless you're an expert already. We understand the importance of a deep inspection of a property before spending thousands or millions of dollars. That's why we have the highly skilled experts in our team. And these experts can scan your house adequately. Concrete Insights believes in 100% satisfaction for our customers with a guarantee of quality, 24/7 support, high-tech tools, and good work speed. We offer various services that are proven to be the best solution in concrete repair and concrete testing. It includes:
  • Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for Concrete Scanning
  • Half-Cell Corrosion Mapping and Potential Measurement
  • Concrete Coring
  • Windsor Probe
  • Anchors Pulls Testing
  • Delamination Identification
  • Vibration & Dust Monitoring
If you want to know more about how these services can help you make the right decisions, you can consult with our experts without any hesitation. Bottom Line Once you finalize your decision, it's time to connect with your broker or seller to negotiate the cost of fixing things, or you can simply ask them to fix those things. On the other hand, if the problems are beyond your budget, you might start looking for another property. A property is a one-time investment, so stay aware of fraud. It is highly important to have the surety that you are investing in the right property. If you need the hand of a professional, Concrete Insights is always there for you. We offer concrete scanning, concrete core drilling, coring, testing, and GPR professional services from our high-end experts. So, contact us today.