Project Case Study
Project Title: Folkestone, Kent – Concrete Repairs, Corrosion Control & Anti-Carbonation Coatings
Location: Folkestone, Kent
Sector: Commercial / Retail
Project Overview
Concrete Repair Solutions were appointed to undertake a further phase of concrete repair and corrosion control works to the external reinforced concrete elements at Boots, 24–26 Sandgate Road, Folkestone.
This phase continued the remediation of exposed concrete ring beams to the rear elevations of the building. The scope included removal of defective concrete, treatment of reinforcement, installation of galvanic corrosion protection, reinstatement of concrete cover and application of a protective anti-carbonation coating system.
The works formed part of a planned durability strategy to ensure long-term protection of the building’s exposed reinforced concrete elements.
What We Did
- Removed defective concrete cover via mechanical breakout
- Mechanically cleaned exposed reinforcement
- Installed PatchGuard galvanic anodes within repair areas
- Reinstated concrete using hand-applied repair mortar
- Applied cementitious fairing coat to exposed beam surfaces
- Applied anti-carbonation coating to all exposed concrete ring beams
- Installed mastic fillet at junction between brickwork and ring beams
Technical Overview
The retail structure on Sandgate Road, Folkestone is a multi-storey retail and office building comprising a ground floor retail unit with three upper office floors and a flat roof structure.
The shop frontage is clad with ceramic tiles, while the rear elevations are constructed in fair-faced brickwork with exposed reinforced concrete edge beams at each storey level. The concrete surfaces had previously been coated with a cementitious fairing coat and painted with a coating of unknown origin.
Survey and testing works were undertaken to the North East, South East and South West facing elevations. Localised deterioration and carbonation-related reinforcement corrosion were identified to exposed ring beams.
Mechanical breakout was undertaken to remove unsound concrete and expose reinforcement. Following mechanical cleaning of steel, galvanic anodes were installed to provide ongoing corrosion mitigation. Repairs were reinstated using suitable hand-applied repair mortars, followed by application of a cementitious fairing coat to achieve consistent surface profile.
A protective anti-carbonation coating system was applied to all exposed ring beams to enhance resistance to environmental exposure and reduce future carbonation risk.
Project Challenges
- Working to an operational commercial premises
- Maintaining programme efficiency across phased works
- Achieving uniform finish to previously treated and untreated areas
- Detailing movement junctions between brickwork and reinforced concrete
Outcome
The second phase of works completed the remediation strategy to the exposed ring beams, reinstating structural integrity and incorporating galvanic corrosion control within repair zones.
The anti-carbonation coating system provides enhanced durability and a consistent external appearance across the treated elevations, supporting long-term asset performance.
Services Demonstrated
- Concrete repair and reinstatement
- Reinforcement preparation and corrosion mitigation
- Galvanic anode installation
- Cementitious fairing coat application
- Anti-carbonation coating systems
- Commercial façade remediation
- Phased project delivery
