How Does Flooding Affect Concrete? Storm Season Answers and Insights 

As wild weather scenarios make headlines more and more frequently, people everywhere find themselves looking for ways to ward off potential storm damage, better protect their construction sites and position communities more safely for the road ahead. For many, that means seeking answers to questions such as “how does flooding affect concrete?” or “what could we be doing better?” 

At General Chipping, we’re firm believers in the idea that an informed approach is the best approach, especially as it relates to issues as impactful as storm conditions. Here, we’ve pulled together insights aimed at helping you better prepare your concrete construction sites for adverse weather, get to the bottom of how high waters impact poured concrete and begin thinking about how simple changes to your construction practices could have substantial impacts on future safety. 

How Can You Protect Your Construction Sites During Hurricane Season? 

Atlantic hurricane season spans June 1 to November 30. And, although such storms typically carry some degree of advance warning, their unpredictable paths and their associated unknowns present real dangers for concrete and construction crews. For companies whose work takes place in areas regularly impacted by adverse weather, it’s important to stand prepared. Let’s take a look at special considerations concrete and construction crews should keep in mind when looking out for their people, property and sites. 

• Outline a Hurricane Plan for Your Construction Crew: Which team members should leave if evacuation orders are issued? Who needs to stay behind? How should employees keep in contact — and who do they report to? (Remember, if you have active job sites, someone should keep in communication with clients, too!) Where will you resume operations if your home office experiences damage? Think through the real-life logistics associated with your work and regularly discuss plans with your team. Periodic reminders during company toolbox talks can serve as a great way to keep the strategy top of mind and crew members on the same page. 
• Keep Excess Supplies at the Ready: Make sure you have proper PPE available for crew members, along with water, batteries, flashlights and other necessities. If power outages or storm damage might necessitate operating out of remote offices for any length of time, have tools in place to make that possible. Fuel up company vehicles if storm conditions enter the forecast and fill backup gas canisters, too.  
• Assess Your Equipment and Job Sites: No two job sites are exactly alike, and neither are their storm risks. Building materials and heavy equipment can cause damage if swept up by heavy winds, for instance, while structures undergoing electrical work present shock risks. Rising water also has the potential to damage — if not destroy — company vehicles, cranes and equipment. Walk through your sites with crew members to document potential issues, and then take measures to mitigate trouble. While you’re at it, review and document your equipment and vehicle inventory. Should a storm arrive and cause damage, you’ll be glad to have that information available. 
• Keep an Eye on the Sky and Act Accordingly: Pay attention to weather forecasts and be prepared to put your hurricane plan to work if the need arises. Stock up on last-minute needs such as battery-powered radios to keep tabs on the storm, heed officials’ evacuation warnings and communicate with crew members. Most important of all, remember to breathe. A calm approach helps keep operations on track.

How Does Flooding Affect Concrete? 

Changing climates have increased the frequency of high-impact storms waterlogging construction sites and the communities surrounding them. As news reports featuring entire roadways underwater become increasingly common, it’s led many people to wonder what impacts that water has on infrastructure. So, how does flooding affect concrete? Let’s take a look. 

• Floodwaters Erode Roadways and Foundations: Scouring occurs when moving water eats away at the concrete and soil in its path. This erosion can lead to holes in roadways, foundation damage and, in extreme circumstances, infrastructure collapses. In addition, salt or chemicals present in floodwaters can react with concrete in ways that result in further deterioration. Experts suggest protecting infrastructure such as concrete bridges by incorporating pilings into design plans. 
• Soaked Concrete Slabs Can Wreak Havoc on Flooring and Framing: Concrete’s absorbent nature allows it to pass moisture along to nearby materials, increasing the potential for floor failure or damage to wooden framing. Experts recommend monitoring slab wetness with help from a moisture meter. 
• Wet Concrete Fosters Growth of Bacteria and Mold: A porous material, concrete serves as a convenient home for dust, pollen and other pollutants. When moisture and elevated temperatures enter the mix, it becomes a breeding ground for microbials, creating potentially unsafe environments for those nearby. In general, experts say set concrete should not be allowed to remain wet for more than 24 hours. 

How Can You Better Position Concrete Construction Against Future Storms? 

Hurricanes and other storms can be unpredictable. Although there is no way to completely safeguard concrete construction and the areas around it against trouble, there are ways to lessen the effects. Here are a few considerations that can help. 

• Smarter Strategies for Road Construction: When 2017’s Hurricane Harvey doused portions of Texas and Louisiana in record amounts of rainfall, people observed that roadways’ concrete medians acted as dams. By allowing water to collect and overall floodwater levels to rise, they made an already bad situation worse by increasing the amount of damage while putting people and nearby structures at heightened risk. Researchers have begun studying better ways to approach concrete construction on roadways, such as the incorporation of barrier openings that not only allow water to pass through but also make crossings safer for small animals.  
  
  Other considerations, such as the incorporation of reinforced concrete when constructing flood barriers and seawalls, offer communities better protection against potentially devastating storm surges. The added reinforcement helps barriers stand strong against heavy winds and high waters, improving their capacity to protect.  
• A Closer Look at the Concrete Blends in Use: Concrete is one of the most versatile building materials on Earth, and ongoing technological advances offer new opportunities all the time. Pervious concrete, for instance, is designed to combat stormwater runoff, thanks to its specialized blend of cement, water and coarse aggregates. Capable of absorbing water, pervious concrete is great for sidewalks, roadways, parking lots and driveways — and helps reduce the likelihood of hydroplaning.  
  
  Fiber-reinforced concrete, meanwhile, features synthetic fibers that make it stronger and more flexible. This allows it to better withstand high wind scenarios. By thinking outside the box and incorporating new concrete blends into construction work, it’s possible to position projects on a safer, more successful path. 

Having a plan in place in case a hurricane should head your way — and understanding the impacts your construction materials and processes have on the surrounding area — can go a long way toward improving safety. If you have questions about any of the above, or if you’re interested in learning how General Chipping can help keep your drums, silos and mixers healthy through storm season and beyond, feel free to reach out. Our concrete chippers are here to help, and we would love to hear from you.