7 Tell-Tale Signs Your Structure Needs Repair or Restoration

At SSRG, we’ve been a leader in structural construction, strengthening, repairs, and restorations for more than 90 years—which means we’ve pretty much seen it all. Because we embrace the industry’s toughest jobs with our signature no-fear approach, we have developed the skill and expertise to not only fix complex problems, but also to accurately identify them for solutions that stand the test of time.

Below are 7 tell-tale signs your structure needs attention and how a trusted specialty contractor can help.

Flaking concrete surface showing deterioration and material loss

1. Flaking or chipping concrete

What to look for: Flaking or chipping of a concrete surface, typically in a parking garage or in another high-traffic area. Sometimes underlying metal rebar or rust stains will also be visible.

Why it happens: This chipping and flaking, known as concrete spalling, is usually a result of moisture penetration, which causes the rebar to rust and expand. Road salts and other harsh chemicals can also cause spalling.

Solution: Concrete spall repairs can include cleaning, smoothing and patching the affected areas, as well as resurfacing and applying a waterproof sealant to prevent future damage. Rebar assessments are also critical to ensure the underlying structure is sound.

Sloping hardwood floor along wall indicating structural movement or foundation settlement

2. Sloping or uneven floors

What to look for: Uneven floors or gapping between the floor and wall

Why it happens: This sloping or gaping is a sign the foundation is settling. Though settlement is a natural occurrence, it can lead to significant and costly damage if left unaddressed.

Solution: Foundation underpinning solutions strengthen a building’s foundation by extending it to more solid ground and providing the necessary support to maintain structural stability. This combats erosion, loose soil, and in some cases poor original construction.

Heavy rust and corrosion on metal surface with flaking and material deterioration

3. Rusty metal

What to look for: Rust spots on metal, including flaking or scaling, or bent metal beams

Why it happens: Rust is a natural occurrence caused when iron reacts with oxygen and water and is a sign of corrosion. Corrosion can be accelerated by other factors, such as salt and humidity, which in turn exposes more metal to the water that can damage it.

Solution: Corrosion jeopardizes the strength and stability of structural steel, so it’s important to catch it early, assess the damage, and mitigate it quickly. Structural steel members can be repaired or replaced and then protected to prevent further corrosion.

Missing mortar between bricks indicating joint deterioration

4. Cracked brick or stone, or loose building exteriors

What to look for: Cracked concrete decks, beams or columns, falling concrete, or exposed rebar

Why it happens: In addition to heavy traffic flow, concrete parking garages also face moisture infiltration, fluctuating outdoor temperatures, road salts and other harsh chemicals, and motorists who exceed the recommended speed limit. These factors all contribute to the damage and deterioration of both the concrete surface and structural steel elements that form these hardworking structures.

Solution: There are a variety of methods to repairing and rehabilitating parking garages, depending on how significant the damage is. They can include concrete spall repairs, deck and beam repairs, concrete resurfacing, traffic coatings, expansion joint replacement, and structural steel repairs. Preventative measures—such as regular cleaning, waterproofing and falling concrete knockdown—can also help strengthen and protect parking garages.

Structural cracking in concrete beam and column indicating deterioration and water damage

5. Cracked or falling concrete in parking garages

What to look for: Cracked concrete decks, beams or columns, falling concrete, or exposed rebar

Displaced bricks with discoloration and cracking indicating structural movement and damage

6. Broken, sunken or discolored bricks

What to look for: Bricks that are lighter or darker in color, cracked, or appear to be sinking into the wall

Why it happens: The appearance of exterior bricks can change for a variety of reasons, including water infiltration, salt deposits, biological growth, and foundation shifting or settling.

Solution: The solution depends on the root cause of the issue, though it can include replacing the damaged bricks to match the original structure. A specialty masonry contractor can best determine what’s causing the problem and fix it properly.

Discoloration on historic masonry column capital indicating surface staining and aging

7. Discoloration of historic masonry

What to look for: Dark spots, water streaks, or a white powdery deposit (known as efflorescence) on historic masonry

Why it happens: Discoloration of masonry is often a sign that water is penetrating the aging limestone. Other signs include bowing or sagging, chipping, and crumbling masonry.

Solution: Repairing historic masonry is tricky business because these aging structures are often extremely delicate and feature intricate original masonry work. A trusted specialty contractor with proven historic preservation expertise can help restore these structures to their former glory and protect them for generations to come.

What to do if you think your structure needs repair, replacement or modification

The first step to addressing potential structural issues is having your building assessed. While many architectural and engineering firms offer assessments, we recommend calling a trusted specialty contractor for a few reasons. First, specialty contractors tend to spend more time in the field, allowing for greater flexibility and a quicker turnaround. Secondly, specialty contractors are both the structural experts and the skilled craftspeople who’ll be doing the work, which often leads to more accurate assessments.

In addition to our strengthening, repair, and restoration capabilities, SSRG provides assessments as well as comprehensive planning and budgeting support to help clients make the right decisions about the most complex construction needs.

SSRG has been a leader in structural construction, strengthening, repairs, and restorations for more than 90 years. Backed by complex experience, field-tested expertise, and a no-fear approach, we deliver tough jobs done well. We specialize in structural concrete, specialty new masonry and repairs, structural steel, foundations and stabilization, and historic preservation. Our unrelenting commitment to safety, quality, and production ensures we do right by our partners and our teams every day.