Why is it so important to protect car parks and underground garages from it?
Corrosion in multi-storey and underground car parks refers to the process by which the metal parts of a building, e.g. steel beams, are destroyed by chemical reactions. More specifically, this is known as pitting corrosion, which usually occurs under the effect of the environment.
Mechanical stress caused by vehicles can also damage car park surfaces.
Substances such as water, de-icing salt, chemicals etc. can penetrate the reinforcement through fine cracks or bursts in the concrete, destroying it and jeopardising the building structurally.
In the case of corrosion, a metal reacts with its environment, in particular with oxygen and water, and is chemically altered as a result. This process leads to the progressive destruction of the metal and the formation of a porous, yellowish to reddish compound – iron oxide – i.e. rust.
Corrosion protection involves protecting materials, components and equipment against corrosion in order to prevent or minimise damage. The protection of iron and steel in particular is also known as rust protection.
Here are some specific examples of factors that promote corrosion in car parks and underground garages:
Corrosion in multi-storey and underground car parks refers to the process by which the metal parts of a building, e.g. steel beams, are destroyed by chemical reactions. More specifically, this is known as pitting corrosion, which usually occurs under the effect of the environment.
Mechanical stress caused by vehicles can also damage car park surfaces.
Substances such as water, de-icing salt, chemicals etc. can penetrate the reinforcement through fine cracks or bursts in the concrete, destroying it and jeopardising the building structurally.
In the case of corrosion, a metal reacts with its environment, in particular with oxygen and water, and is chemically altered as a result. This process leads to the progressive destruction of the metal and the formation of a porous, yellowish to reddish compound – iron oxide – i.e. rust.
Corrosion protection involves protecting materials, components and equipment against corrosion in order to prevent or minimise damage. The protection of iron and steel in particular is also known as rust protection.
Here are some specific examples of factors that promote corrosion in car parks and underground garages:
Corrosion in multi-storey and underground car parks refers to the process by which the metal parts of a building, e.g. steel beams, are destroyed by chemical reactions. More specifically, this is known as pitting corrosion, which usually occurs under the effect of the environment.
Mechanical stress caused by vehicles can also damage car park surfaces.
Substances such as water, de-icing salt, chemicals etc. can penetrate the reinforcement through fine cracks or bursts in the concrete, destroying it and jeopardising the building structurally.
In the case of corrosion, a metal reacts with its environment, in particular with oxygen and water, and is chemically altered as a result. This process leads to the progressive destruction of the metal and the formation of a porous, yellowish to reddish compound – iron oxide – i.e. rust.
Corrosion protection involves protecting materials, components and equipment against corrosion in order to prevent or minimise damage. The protection of iron and steel in particular is also known as rust protection.
Here are some specific examples of factors that promote corrosion in car parks and underground garages:
Moisture and water:
In multi-storey and underground car parks, moisture often accumulates from rain, snow or condensation. Permanent exposure to it can cause metal parts such as steel beams to rust and structural damage to occur.
Frost and change of freeze/thaw periods:
When moisture freezes inside the pores of the concrete, the water expands and can lead to spalling or cracking. Alternating frost and dew will intensify this effect on unprotected concrete surfaces, further exacerbating the damage.
Salts and chemicals:
Road salt and other chemical de-icing agents, which are used to maintain road safety, are brought into the car park or underground parking garage through constant vehicle traffic. They attack the surface of unprotected concrete and reinforced steel structures.
Air humidity and chemical vapours:
The combination of high air humidity and pollution from vehicle exhaust can also contribute to corrosion, especially in areas with limited air circulation.
Corrosion can compromise the structural integrity of car parks and underground garages, leading to serious safety issues. It is therefore important to provide appropriate corrosion protection depending on the expected use of the surface to prolong the life of the building and ensure safety.
What can be done to protect against corrosion?
Effective corrosion protection is essential to ensure the longevity and safety of car park structures. A distinction is made between combined (e.g. regular maintenance and inspection), active (e.g. cathodic protection) and passive measures: these include among others surface protection coatings (anti-corrosion coatings) as a “protective layer” that prevent the penetration of moisture and harmful substances.
What is a corrosion protection coating?
Overall, reactive resin coatings are an effective and reliable corrosion protection measure for multi-storey and underground car parks, protecting steel safely and permanently against rust. They also provide a seamless, easy-to-clean surface that is ideal for the diverse needs of such a highly frequented environment.
Surface protection systems have to meet manifold requirements for different areas of application, e.g. crack-bridging properties for substrates with an increased risk of cracking or resistance to weather influences in outdoor areas.
