Scaling is the flaking or peeling of the top surface layer of concrete, most often caused by freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing chemicals that break down the finished surface.
In depth
Scaling happens when water absorbed into the pores near the surface freezes and expands; when the pressure exceeds the concrete’s strength, thin scales of mortar detach and expose the aggregate beneath. De-icing salts accelerate it by increasing the number of freeze-thaw cycles and the moisture in the surface. It is generally shallower and less structural than spalling.
Because scaling is surface deterioration, it is a finishing and exposure issue rather than a soil-support one, and it is common on driveways and walks that see winter salt in cold climates.
How Acme applies it. Scaling is a surface-level concern separate from settlement; Acme focuses on the structural side, raising and stabilizing slabs whose problems come from the soil beneath.
Related terms: Spalling, Freeze-Thaw Cycle, Curling, Concrete Cracking
Frequently asked questions
What causes concrete scaling?
Freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salts break down the surface: water in the surface pores freezes and expands, flaking off thin scales of mortar and exposing the aggregate.
Is scaling a structural problem?
Usually not on its own. It affects the surface layer rather than the slab’s support, so it differs from settlement and from deeper spalling.