Floor - Damaged by Sulphate attacks

Here 3C Services were asked to examine a typical domestic floor where carpets had developed ridges and floor tiles had begun to crack. On investigation it turned out that the floor had a developed a major fault that was possibly due to heave caused by a sulphate attack. A core sample was taken from the floor for assessment where a sulphate attack was confirmed.

The images show the damage caused by such attacks, severe cracking and eruptions in the concrete slab. The damage was assessed and a strucural report drawn up to show the method used to recify the problem. Click on any of the thumbnails to see a larger image.

Excavation Is Started

The solution to the problem is to remove all the affected hardcore, unfortunately this requires the complete removal of the existing slab and excavate the sulphates away. A depth of excavation is determined by the final replacement floor, here a new insulated floor together with DPM will be reinstated, the specification is much higher than the original floor and will provide a far better heat retention. Click on any of the thumbnails to see a larger image.

New Hardcore & Sand Blinding

When the desired depth had been reached new sulphate free hardcore was laid and compacted in accordance with the structural specification. On top of this a course of compacted sand blinding was then applied. Click on any of the thumbnails to see a larger image.