Hydroseeding causing concrete damage?
Hydroseeding causing concrete damage?
(OP)
We've had a few of our customers recently contact us about precast steps having spalling occur on precast steps following hydroseeding operations adjacent to the steps. This is the first I've ever heard of this being an issue.
Is there anything in the hydroseeding process that can harm concrete?
Only thing I could think of is the hydroseeding spray being slightly acidic but I would think it would hardly be acidic enough to harm the concrete.
Is there anything in the hydroseeding process that can harm concrete?
Only thing I could think of is the hydroseeding spray being slightly acidic but I would think it would hardly be acidic enough to harm the concrete.
Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries
https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/






RE: Hydroseeding causing concrete damage?
RE: Hydroseeding causing concrete damage?
As best we can tell it was indeed the hydroseeding causing this but I can't find anything in typical hydroseeding brands or MSDS sheets that could cause this. Best guess is some sort of sulfate in, or created by, that specific hydroseeding brand or the water used. Nothing else seems to fit the timeline or damage caused.
Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries
https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/
RE: Hydroseeding causing concrete damage?
from this http://www.cement.org/docs/default-source/fc_concr...
on page 6 it states "The chlorides and nitrates of ammonium, magnesium, aluminum, and iron all cause concrete deterioration, with those of ammonium producing the most damage."
Most fertilizers that get mixed into hydroseeding solutions are nitrates in some form, and ammonium nitrate is quite common I think.
RE: Hydroseeding causing concrete damage?
Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries
https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/
RE: Hydroseeding causing concrete damage?
A minor family connection there. In the early 1930's (Great Depression) my father had just finished engineering school. Was lucky to get a job as an operator in high-tech industry - one of the first large scale chemical plants to extract nitrogen from air (atmospheric nitrogen) to manufacture ammonium nitrate fertilizer. This Haber Process has revolutionized fertilizer production, which in turn has dramatically increased agricultural crop yield.
www.SlideRuleEra.net
www.VacuumTubeEra.net
RE: Hydroseeding causing concrete damage?