Concrete Repairs South Africa: reinforced concrete cracks, spalls and loses strength when the steel inside corrodes, when it is overloaded or when the ground below moves. Compare quotes from specialists for slabs, beams, columns and balconies.
- Photograph the damage, any rust stains and exposed steel.
- Note whether water leaks through or near the damage.
Describe the job once and compare quotes from independent specialists.
Compare Concrete Repair QuotesSigns to Look For
- Cracks in slabs, beams or columns, especially if they grow.
- Concrete flaking or breaking off, with rust-coloured staining.
- Exposed or rusting reinforcement.
- Sagging slabs or balconies.
- Water leaking through cracks in roof slabs or basements.
Safety first. If cracks are opening quickly, doors or windows suddenly jam, or a wall, beam, balcony or retaining wall looks unstable, keep people and cars away and get a professional assessment promptly. Do not attempt structural repairs yourself.
What Concrete Repairs Involve
The specialist finds the extent and cause of the damage, removes unsound concrete, treats corroded steel and rebuilds the section. Larger defects need a structural engineer to decide whether the element must be strengthened or replaced.
Repair Methods
- Patch repair. Remove damaged concrete, treat the steel and rebuild with repair mortar.
- Crack injection. Epoxy bonds dormant cracks. Polyurethane stops water through leaking cracks but does not add strength.
- Strengthening. Carbon fibre or steel plates add capacity. Needs an engineer's design.
- Partial replacement. Break out and recast slabs or sections that are beyond repair.
- Protective coatings. Slow future corrosion after repair.
Patches do not stop corrosion elsewhere in the element if the underlying cause is left.
Spalling
Spalling is concrete breaking away because the steel inside has rusted and expanded. It has its own page: concrete spalling repairs.
Process
- Enquiry. Send photos and describe the element.
- Survey. Sounding, cover meter or test cores where needed.
- Repair specification. Method and materials, with engineer input for structural elements.
- Quotes. Priced per area, per metre of crack or per item.
- Repair. Propping where needed, repair, curing and finishing.
Concrete Repair Prices
Ballpark prices so you can sanity-check a quote. They are not quotations and no contractor is bound by them.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Basic concrete restoration (crack fill and patch) | R500 - R750 per m² |
| Concrete repair (cracks, spalling) | R500 - R2,000 per area |
| Epoxy crack injection | R350 - R750 per metre |
| Break out 100 mm reinforced concrete slab | About R110 per m² |
Ballpark figures, not quotations. Ranges compiled from price guides and rate lists published by South African building-cost and contractor websites and the NHBRC, checked 16 October 2026 and rounded. They are not our prices and no contractor is bound by them. No published South African rates for beam or column repairs were found. These are priced after a survey. Most sources do not say whether VAT is included, so confirm VAT on every quote.
Sources:
- The Handyman Johannesburg, patio repair prices (updated October 2025)
- ServiceLinkSA, waterproofing costs in South Africa (updated March 2026)
- BuildersInGauteng, foundation repair pricing (updated November 2025)
- NHBRC bill of quantities for underpinning and piling (March 2023)
What affects the price
- Area and depth of damage
- Extent of steel corrosion
- Access, scaffolding and propping
- Engineering and testing
- Repair materials and coatings
- Finishes and waterproofing
Get prices for your actual job rather than a range. Free, with no obligation to appoint anyone.
Compare Concrete Repair QuotesProperty Types
Houses with concrete slabs or balconies, apartment blocks, parking garages, commercial and industrial buildings, and water-retaining structures.
Related Services
Compare specialists through Foundation Repairs South Africa: one free request, quotes from independent contractors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cracked concrete be repaired?
Usually, yes. Dormant cracks can be injected or patched. Active cracks and structural damage need the cause found first.
What causes concrete to crack?
Shrinkage, overloading, ground movement and corroding reinforcement are common causes.
Does epoxy injection make concrete strong again?
It can bond dormant cracks. It is not a fix for cracks that are still moving.
When does concrete need an engineer?
When beams, columns, suspended slabs or balconies are cracked, sagging or have exposed steel.
How long do concrete repairs last?
That depends on the cause, the repair system and exposure. No specialist can guarantee a lifespan before assessing it.
Foundation Repairs South Africa is a free quote-comparison service. Work is assessed, quoted and carried out by independent contractors and specialists, and your agreement is with the one you appoint. Ask each for a written quote, what is and is not included, who designs and signs off the work, proof of insurance and the payment terms before paying anything.
Concrete Repairs South Africa. Describe the job once and compare quotes.
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