Concrete Cancer (Spalling) – How to Identify & Fix It Early

Concrete cancer is one of the most common building defects in Sydney — but if caught early, repairs are cheaper and less intrusive.

When moisture enters concrete, it corrodes the reinforcing steel, causing it to expand and crack surrounding concrete. Over time, this leads to spalling, structural weakness and major safety risks.

Signs you may have concrete cancer

• Rust stains on concrete surfaces

• Cracking or flaking concrete

• Hollow sounding patches when tapped

• Paint bubbling or delamination

• Steel reinforcement visibly exposed

  
  

How CWG NSW repairs concrete cancer

We follow a compliant rectification process using structural repair systems such as Sika & Parchem:

1. Remove delaminated concrete

2. Treat reinforcement to prevent further corrosion

3. Patch with structural mortar

4. Apply protective coating for long-term durability

Why early repair saves thousands

Left untreated, concrete cancer spreads — resulting in bigger patch areas, slab replacement or emergency works.