Concrete Defects - Delamination

Delamination is one of the most costly and deceptive concrete surface defects. What may begin as a hollow-sounding area beneath an otherwise intact surface can eventually lead to spalling, surface failure, safety hazards, expensive repairs, and reduced service life.

The Delamination Field Reference was developed to help inspectors, contractors, technicians, engineers, and concrete professionals identify delamination, understand why it occurs, assess severity, and determine the appropriate repair and prevention strategies.

Using real-world examples, practical field guidance, severity classifications, inspection checklists, escalation triggers, and repair recommendations, this reference transforms a commonly misunderstood defect into a clear and actionable field assessment.

Inside This Reference:

• Learn how to identify concrete delamination before surface failure occurs.

• Understand the differences between delamination, blistering, scaling, spalling, and other surface defects.

• Recognize common warning signs including hollow sounds, surface separation, cracking, debonding, and localized movement.

• Understand the most common causes of delamination, including finishing practices, trapped bleed water, corrosion-related deterioration, freeze-thaw damage, poor bonding, and material-related issues.

• Assess severity using simple Minor / Moderate / Severe classifications.

• Apply the Universal Escalation Rule to identify conditions requiring additional investigation.

• Use a quick field decision process to determine when monitoring, patching, resurfacing, or further evaluation is appropriate.

• Review practical repair options based on the size, depth, and extent of delamination.

• Learn prevention strategies that reduce the likelihood of future delamination.

• Utilize the included field inspection checklist for evaluations, documentation, and reporting.

• Reference applicable ASTM, ACI, ICRI, and industry guidance related to concrete durability and repair.

Designed For:

• Concrete Inspectors

• Quality Control Technicians

• Ready-Mix Producers

• Contractors & Superintendents

• Engineers & Project Managers

• Facility Owners & Maintenance Personnel

• Concrete Testing Personnel

• Construction Professionals

Whether you're evaluating a floor slab, pavement, bridge deck, parking structure, industrial floor, or structural concrete element, this reference provides practical field guidance to help determine the extent of deterioration and the most appropriate corrective action.

Part of the Concrete Defect Field Reference Series — professional field references designed to help identify, assess, repair, and prevent common concrete defects and deterioration mechanisms with confidence.

Identify. Assess. Repair. Prevent.

Find hidden problems before they become surface failures, reduce costly callbacks, and make informed repair decisions with confidence.