Concrete Spalling Repairs, Façade Patching & Restoration — Templestowe Lower
Templestowe Lower, Melbourne VIC
Façade rectification and complete exterior repainting for an owners corporation property in Templestowe Lower, Melbourne. The project involved repairing deteriorated concrete areas across multiple levels, restoring damaged façade profiles and coordinating access to difficult-to-reach sections.
Balcony Corner Concrete Patching — During & After
The damaged balcony corner was prepared and reinforced with mechanically fixed mesh, rebuilt using layered repair materials, then patched and finished to restore its original profile.
Façade Restoration & Painting — Before & After
The challenge
Concrete spalling and cracking had affected sections of the multi-level building façade, with some deteriorated concrete breaking away from its original profile. For an owners corporation, loose façade material is a maintenance and safety concern, particularly above areas used by residents and pedestrians. The scope also included repainting the entire façade, so damaged substrates needed attention before finishing works could begin. Access to several affected areas was restricted.
ALTUA assessment
ALTUA identified deteriorated and unstable areas that needed removal and reconstruction rather than a cosmetic surface covering. Cracked sections required preparation before coating, while the locations and shapes of damaged façade details informed the repair sequence. Restricted-access sections also required additional planning and specialised height-access equipment. The assessment established where profiles needed rebuilding and where surface preparation would be sufficient before painting.
Our solution
Loose and damaged concrete was removed from the affected sections. Where façade profiles required rebuilding, formed steel mesh was mechanically fixed with anchors to provide support for the repair build-up. Repair material was then applied in layers to reconstruct the damaged shapes and reinstate the original architectural lines. The repaired and cracked surfaces were prepared and primed before the complete façade repainting works.
Works completed
- Removal of damaged and loose concrete
- Installation of formed steel mesh and anchors
- Concrete patching and reconstruction of damaged façade profiles
- Surface preparation, priming and finishing
- Complete façade repainting
- Repairs in restricted-access areas using specialised height-access equipment
Project outcome
Previously damaged façade sections were reconstructed to match the building's original profiles, and the exterior received a consistent new painted finish. Addressing loose and unstable material reduced the hazards associated with the identified deterioration, while the complete repainting brought the repaired and surrounding surfaces together visually. The works were completed within the agreed budget.
Concrete Spalling & Façade Repairs — Technical Considerations
Practical questions for owners corporations and building managers planning concrete façade rectification.
What causes concrete spalling on building façades?
Concrete spalling is the breaking away of concrete from a surface. It can be associated with moisture penetration, corrosion of embedded reinforcement or other deterioration mechanisms. The underlying cause should be assessed before selecting a repair method. The specific cause of the deterioration at this Templestowe Lower property was not established in the project information presented here.
Why is reinforcement sometimes needed for façade patching?
When a damaged edge, corner or architectural profile needs to be rebuilt, a repair may require more support than a thin surface patch. Mechanically secured mesh can help support the repair build-up and maintain the intended shape. The suitable method depends on the substrate, extent of damage and repair design. ALTUA used formed steel mesh and anchors to reconstruct damaged profiles in this project.
Should concrete façade repairs be completed before repainting?
Yes. Loose concrete, cracking and deteriorated surfaces should be assessed and repaired as appropriate before coatings are applied. Paint improves the finish but does not rebuild missing concrete or correct unstable material. At Templestowe Lower, concrete repairs and surface preparation were completed as part of the works before the full façade repaint.