Problems with concrete: crumble and efflorescence

By: Catrin

Cyprus Villa Peyia Casa7 - Concrete Quality Issues

Cyprus Villa Peyia Casa7 - Concrete Quality Issues

Cyprus Villa Peyia Casa7 - Concrete Quality Issues

Cyprus Villa Peyia Casa7 - Concrete Quality Issues

Cyprus Villa Peyia Casa7 - Concrete Quality Issues

Finally Cyprus had some rain. We need it badly. It is also a test to see if the concrete construction is holding up. When I visted the villa today I did notice some deficiencies:

Layers of concrete flakes or crumbles away in patches. Another problem is moisture rising from below the slab. That "white stuff," or efflorescence, shows up when moisture has moved through the slab, carrying minerals with it. A white residue is left behind when the water evaporates. I read on the web that applying a solvent-based acrylic sealer will make the efflorescence disappear. We have to see what Pafilia recommends.

What is of a bigger concern to me is the cracks and that iron shows through the concrete. What makes me even more disappointing is the fact that we saw this coming and pointed out the problem to Pafilia when the iron grid was mounted. See diary note on 27 April 2008. This problems needs to be solved!