The substrate is part of the system
A premium material cannot compensate for weak laitance, dust, oil, coatings, corrosion products or unsound concrete. Bond performance is limited by the weakest interface.
The exact response should be defined from verified site conditions, relevant design information and the performance objective. Where evidence is incomplete, further investigation is safer than assuming the visible symptom tells the whole story.
Preparation is method-specific
Concrete repair may need saw-cut boundaries and roughened sound concrete. CFRP needs controlled profile and flatness. Coatings may require a defined moisture condition. Anchors require precise hole cleaning.
The exact response should be defined from verified site conditions, relevant design information and the performance objective. Where evidence is incomplete, further investigation is safer than assuming the visible symptom tells the whole story.
Acceptance before application
Visual inspection, sounding, cleanliness, profile, surface tensile strength, moisture and temperature may be checked depending on the system and specification.
The exact response should be defined from verified site conditions, relevant design information and the performance objective. Where evidence is incomplete, further investigation is safer than assuming the visible symptom tells the whole story.
Avoid damaging the base
Aggressive removal can bruise concrete, expose excessive reinforcement or create microcracking. The preparation method should remove defects without unnecessarily weakening the retained substrate.
The exact response should be defined from verified site conditions, relevant design information and the performance objective. Where evidence is incomplete, further investigation is safer than assuming the visible symptom tells the whole story.
Protect the prepared surface
Dust, rain, condensation, contamination and delay can undo preparation. Sequencing should keep the accepted surface suitable until material application begins.
The exact response should be defined from verified site conditions, relevant design information and the performance objective. Where evidence is incomplete, further investigation is safer than assuming the visible symptom tells the whole story.
Frequently asked questions
Surface preparation creates the clean, sound and correctly profiled substrate that a repair, coating, bonded anchor or CFRP system needs to transfer load and resist separation.
Yes. General guidance cannot determine the cause, capacity, material compatibility or safe repair scope for a specific structure.