commercial · Carluke
Disabled access ramp refurbishment, Aldi, Carluke
Concrete repairs in Sika Monotop 630 Rapid, then a three-coat MMA resin system with a full anti-slip aggregate.
Dundee based · Scotland wide
Concrete and structural repair contractors in Dundee and across Scotland
A&B Building Solutions repairs cracked, spalling and worn concrete on commercial, industrial and residential structures, from external stairs and access ramps to lintels, balconies and slabs. We survey the defect, specify a repair system and carry out the work from our base in Dundee, across Scotland. Crack stitching and structural repairs to masonry are covered here too.
CHAS accredited- Detailed surveys & specifications
- Scotland-wide coverage
What we repair
Concrete defects we repair
Concrete fails for a small number of reasons: the steel inside it corrodes, water gets in and freezes, the structure moves, or traffic wears the surface away. A lasting repair deals with the cause as well as the damage.
Structural concrete repair
Structural concrete includes beams, columns, slabs, plinths and retaining walls. When these lose concrete cover or section, the steel can lose strength. We break out the defective concrete back to sound material, clean or replace the reinforcement, and reinstate the section with a structural repair mortar or poured concrete. Where load-bearing elements are involved, we work to a structural engineer’s design.
Spalling concrete and reinforcement corrosion
Spalling is concrete flaking or breaking away, often with rust staining. It is a sign that the steel reinforcement is corroding. We break out the loose concrete, expose the steel to a clean surface, and treat it with a protective coating before rebuilding the profile with repair mortar. Where the cover to the steel is low across a whole element, we follow the patch repairs with a protective coating so the problem does not move to the next bar.
Concrete crack repair and resin injection
Not every crack needs the same repair. Fine shrinkage cracks may only need sealing. Cracks that let water reach the steel, or that run through a slab or wall, can be filled by low-pressure resin injection, which bonds the faces of the crack back together. Cracks that are still moving need a flexible seal or a movement joint instead.
Lintels, sills and mullions
Concrete lintels, sills and mullions crack when their steel corrodes, and older cast stone sills often spall at the front edge. We repair these in place where the steel can be treated, and replace them where it cannot. On two houses we replaced deteriorated cills under a ground floor and a first floor window (see the window cill replacements).
Concrete steps, stairs and ramps
Steps take more wear and more water than any other concrete on a building. Nosings break, treads hollow out, and frost opens the cracks each winter. We rebuild worn treads and nosings against timber formwork, leaving square, even steps.
Balconies, walkways and canopies
Balconies and walkways are exposed on both faces and often have thin cover to the steel, so they spall early. We make the area safe, then patch repair and protect it.
Protective and anti-carbonation coatings
An anti-carbonation coating slows the carbon dioxide that causes steel to corrode, while still letting the concrete dry out. It is applied after repairs, over the whole element, so the new and old concrete are protected together.
Project example
Concrete step repairs: see the difference.
Worn treads and eroded nosings were rebuilt against timber formwork, leaving square, even steps from the bottom of the flight to the landing.
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Crack Stitching & Structural Repairs
Structural repairs and crack stitching
Masonry walls crack when lintels fail, foundations settle, or a wall loses its ties to the rest of the building. Crack stitching repairs the wall without rebuilding it. We cut slots across the crack in the bed joints, set stainless steel helical bars in a grout, and point over them.
On a traditional stone gable we removed the vegetation, installed stainless steel crack stitching bars across the structural cracks, and tied the chimney back to the gable before lime repointing the whole elevation.
Structural repairs also cover lintel replacement, rebuilding sections of masonry, and strengthening where a wall has bowed or lost restraint. Where the cause is not clear, or the cracking is still moving, we recommend a structural engineer’s assessment and carry out the repair to their design. We also price repairs flagged in a survey or home report.
Our approach
How we carry out concrete repairs
Survey
We inspect the concrete, tap-test for hollow areas, measure the cover where needed, and photograph each defect.
Specification
We set out the repair method and materials for each area, and the access, phasing and protection needed.
Preparation
Defective concrete is broken out to sound material. Exposed steel is cleaned and primed.
Repair
Profiles are rebuilt with repair mortar or poured concrete, cast against formwork where the shape matters.
Protection
Coatings, sealants or a resin finish go on where the specification calls for them.
Record
We photograph each repair area before, during and after the work.
Who we work with
Who we do this for.
For commercial and industrial clients, the concern is usually safe access and downtime. Retail sites need ramps and steps that stay safe for the public. Industrial sites need slabs, plinths and loading areas back in use quickly. We work to the site's induction, permit and phasing rules, and we are CHAS accredited.
For property managers and factors, the usual problem is communal stairs, balconies and walkways where spalling has become a safety issue for residents. We report what we find with photos and give costed options, so the decision can go to the owners with the facts attached.
We also repair concrete for homeowners, usually external steps, lintels and sills, or defects listed in a survey or home report.
Project costs
What affects the cost.
The price of a concrete repair depends on how much concrete has failed, how deep the corrosion runs, and how easy the area is to reach. Patch repairs to a few steps are a small job. Repairs across a balcony run or a car park deck need scaffold or access equipment, traffic management and a longer programme.
The repair system, any protective coating, phasing around a building in use, and any structural engineer's input also affect the price. We price from a survey, so the quote lists each repair area and its method.
Projects
Our repair projects.
heritage
Full gable end restoration on a traditional stone property
Ivy and failed mortar removed, stainless steel crack stitching, chimney tied back with wall ties, then full lime repointing.
residential · Broughty Ferry
External concrete stair refurbishment, Broughty Ferry
Defective concrete removed, steps, risers and nosings rebuilt against timber formwork, then a slip-resistant grey protective coating.
What clients say on
Had a fence repaired at our site and happy with the work undertaken. The job was in an awkward location with difficult access but the job was still done to a high standard.
Really impressed with the communication and we were kept informed throughout the work. I would highly recommend
Frequently asked questions
Concrete repair questions.
What causes concrete to spall?
Spalling usually starts with the steel reinforcement. Carbon dioxide and chlorides from de-icing salt or sea air work into the concrete over time. When they reach the steel, it rusts and expands, and the expansion pushes off the concrete cover in flakes or chunks.
Can worn or cracked concrete steps be repaired instead of replaced?
In most cases, yes. If the structure of the stair is sound, we cut back the damaged concrete, treat any exposed steel, and rebuild the treads and nosings with a repair mortar cast against timber formwork. Replacement is only needed when the stair itself has failed.
Do I need a structural engineer for crack stitching?
For a single settled crack in a wall, a survey by us is often enough to specify crack stitching. Where cracking is active, wide, or linked to subsidence or a failed lintel, we recommend a structural engineer's assessment first, and we work to their design.
Can you repair concrete while the building stays in use?
Often, yes. We phase the work so part of a ramp, stair or floor stays open, and we can specify rapid-setting repair mortars to shorten closures. The survey sets out the phasing before work starts.
What is BS EN 1504?
BS EN 1504 is the standard series for products and systems used to protect and repair concrete. It sets out repair principles, such as restoring concrete and protecting reinforcement, and the performance each class of product must meet.
Where we work
Based in Dundee. Working throughout Scotland.
We are based in Dundee and repair concrete across Dundee and Angus, Perth and Perthshire, Fife, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh and the Lothians, Stirling, Glasgow and the Central Belt. For larger commercial and industrial projects we travel anywhere in Scotland.
Related services
Related specialist services.
Industrial Resin Flooring & Floor Repairs
Hard-wearing resin flooring and concrete floor repairs for industrial premises.
Waterproofing & Tanking
Specialist systems to address water ingress and protect below-ground spaces.
Commercial Building Maintenance
Building and façade repairs for commercial properties and managed estates.
Start a conversation
Discuss your concrete repair project.
Tell us about the issue, location and timescale. Photos help. We'll get in touch to discuss the next steps.
CHAS accredited contractor.
2n Thorter Way, Dundee DD1 3AY.