Parking garages undergo considerable deterioration from traffic and inclement weather. However, owners often invest maintenance funds in other more visible areas while overlooking cracks, leaks, and corrosion in parking structures. Some of these issues are visible, while others are only detectable with ground penetrating radar (GPR). To keep your structure safe and in operating condition, perform the following maintenance.

4 Structural Maintenance Requirements for Parking Garages

1. Visual Inspection

At least once a year, walk through the building and look for cracks, leaks, and areas where the joint sealant may have failed. Is the concrete delaminating? Are there water stains on the soffit? Is the steel reinforcement exposed on beams and support structures? Make a note of any issues and address them as soon as possible. 

2. GPR

GPR is an ultra-wide band radar technology that penetrates solid materials like earth or concrete to locate objects and faults hidden beneath or within. When used for parking structure maintenance, it’s invaluable for identifying structural problems within the concrete. Being able to locate electrical conduit, plumbing pipes, and other utilities within the concrete before maintenance construction commences makes concrete replacement much safer and easier.

3. Standing Water Removal

Standing water must be removed as promptly as possible, even if the garage floor has been sealed, to prevent the moisture from penetrating the concrete. This is especially essential in coastal climates like Hawaii, where both the air and water have high salt content. Salt corrodes metal reinforcements and post-tensioning tendons.

4. Advanced Repairs

To improve structural integrity, occasional advanced repairs are necessary. For instance, epoxy must be injected into structural cracks to create a powerful bond between adjacent sections. You may need to have carbon fiber reinforcements glued to sections of concrete where rebar has corroded to improve structural strength. 

To learn more about GPR scanning as part of your garage's structural maintenance, contact Haggith's Structural Scan & Inspection in Kaneohe, HI. They serve clients throughout Oahu with reliable ground penetrating radar, utility locating, and underground cable detection. Visit their website to find out more about their services, or call (808) 239-4330 to schedule a GPR consultation.