What durability measures can be taken to assure a long service life for my garage?
The best first line of defense against concrete deterioration and steel corrosion is use of a high quality concrete mix and attention to proper construction practice. A high quality mix normally includes a low water / cement ratio (< 0.40), hard-rock aggregates, and a minimum compressive strength of 5000 psi. Proper construction practice includes attention to correct finishing and curing methods, adequate concrete cover over reinforcing steel and sufficient drainage. Beyond these fundamental measures, other items may be considered for garages exposed to especially harsh environments (coastal areas rich in airborne salts, geographical areas prone to heavy use of deicing salts and geographical areas subject to frequent and severe freeze-thaw conditions). These supplemental measures include corrosion-inhibiting admixtures, concrete densifying admixtures, surface applied sealers and traffic-bearing membranes. Cost and benefit of each of these measures should be discussed with local precast
