Protective Concrete Coating in Alberta
Custom Coatings International provides a range of concrete coating solutions engineered to protect precast concrete from physical, mechanical, and chemical exposure. Serving water treatment, civil infrastructure, oil and gas, and agricultural applications, our protective coatings are designed to enhance structural integrity and extend service life.
Concrete Coatings Overview
A concrete coating is a protective barrier applied to concrete substrates to defend against mechanical, physical, and chemical degradation. It acts as the first line of defense against abrasion, erosion, moisture ingress, and chemical attack that can compromise the cement matrix and reduce structural service life. Beyond protection, concrete coatings can also provide functional and aesthetic benefits, including improved cleanability, color coding, and control of surface texture. Concrete coating systems vary by chemistry and performance characteristics, with common types including epoxy, polyurethane, polyaspartic, and acrylic coatings—each offering distinct advantages depending on the service environment and performance requirements. Concrete coatings are used across a variety of industries, including: Municipal & Public Infrastructure, Civil Construction and Transportation, Oil and Gas, and Agriculture. Custom Coatings International applies concrete coatings exclusively to precast concrete products in a controlled shop environment, ensuring consistent application conditions and reliable coating adhesion. Read below to learn more about our protective concrete coating services.
What Damages Are Concrete Subject To?
Concrete is susceptible to several forms of deterioration, ranging from surface scaling to moderate and severe structural disintegration, which can compromise the integrity of precast concrete elements. The primary causes of deterioration include physical, mechanical, and chemical damage mechanisms.
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Physical / Mechanical Damage Mechanisms
Erosion: results from both abrasion and cavitation. Abrasion occurs through the gradual wear of the concrete surface caused by debris, aggregates, or suspended solids in contact with the substrate. Cavitation is caused by turbulent flow and pressure fluctuations that form and collapse vapor bubbles, leading to localized pitting and progressive surface deterioration.
Freeze–thaw damage: occurs when water infiltrates the concrete pore structure and freezes, expanding in volume and generating internal stresses. Repeated freeze–thaw cycling can lead to cracking, scaling, and loss of structural integrity.
Thermal cycling: involves repeated heating and cooling, which causes expansion and contraction within the cement matrix. Over time, these thermal stresses can induce microcracking, reduce mechanical strength, and compromise long-term durability.
Impact and Mechanical Loading: is influenced by loading rate and stress conditions. While higher loading rates may increase apparent compressive strength and stiffness, they can also promote tensile cracking, increased permeability, and internal microcracking, accelerating long-term structural degradation.
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Chemical Damage Mechanisms
Carbonation: occurs when carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere diffuses into concrete and reacts with cement hydration products to form calcium carbonate. This reaction lowers the pH of the concrete, reducing the protective alkalinity around reinforcing steel and increasing the risk of corrosion over time.
Biogenic Sulfuric Acid Corrosion: results from the biological production of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which is oxidized by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria to sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid aggressively attacks the cement binder, leading to progressive surface loss, softening, and structural degradation of concrete.
Chloride Attack: Chloride attack is commonly associated with marine environments, de-icing salts, and facilities where chlorinated chemicals are present. Chloride ions penetrate the concrete matrix through pores and cracks, eventually reaching reinforcing steel and initiating corrosion, which causes cracking, spalling, and loss of structural capacity.
Acid Attack: Due to its inherently alkaline nature, concrete is highly susceptible to acid attack. Exposure to acids such as acetic, nitric, phosphoric, and humic can dissolve cement hydration products, leading to surface degradation, strength loss, and reduced service life.
Common Types of Protective Concrete Coatings
Epoxies Coatings
Epoxy is one of the most widely used protective coatings for concrete. This two-component system, consisting of a resin and hardener, cures to form a dense, high-strength protective layer with excellent adhesion and chemical resistance.
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Pros
Durability: Forms a hard, impact-resistant coating suitable for demanding service environments.
Chemical Resistance: Resists a wide range of chemicals, including oils, fuels, and many solvents.
Adhesion: Exhibits excellent adhesion to properly prepared concrete and other substrates.
Aesthetics: Available in various colours and finishes, including smooth and high-gloss options.
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Cons
Application Sensitivity: Requires strict surface preparation, controlled application conditions, and proper cure times.
UV Sensitivity: Prolonged exposure to UV light can cause discoloration or chalking if left unprotected.
Polyurethane Coatings
Polyurethane coatings offer similar protective properties to epoxy while providing greater flexibility, making them better suited for environments subject to temperature fluctuations and mechanical movement.
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Pros
Fast Cure Times: Significantly faster curing than traditional polyurethane systems.
Durability and Flexibility: Highly resistant to abrasion, impact, and temperature cycling.
Chemical and Stain Resistance: Resists exposure to oils, fuels, salts, and many chemicals.
UV Stability: Does not yellow or lose colour when exposed to UV radiation.
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Cons
Higher Cost: Typically more expensive than epoxy systems.
Limited Aesthetic Options: Fewer colour and decorative options compared to epoxy.
Critical Surface Preparation: Requires precise substrate preparation and controlled application to achieve optimal performance.
Polyaspartic Coatings
Polyaspartic coatings are a hybrid material derived from polyurethane chemistry and are commonly used in infrastructure and industrial applications where rapid return to service and long-term durability are critical.
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Pros
Flexibility: More elastic than epoxy, reducing the risk of cracking or chipping under thermal or mechanical stress.
UV Resistance: Excellent resistance to ultraviolet exposure without yellowing or degradation.
Abrasion Resistance: Strong resistance to wear, scratches, and impact.
Aesthetic Stability: Maintains colour and gloss better than epoxy in outdoor or exposed applications.
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Cons
Higher Cost: Generally more expensive than epoxy systems.
Moisture Sensitivity: Application can be affected by moisture and humidity conditions.
Longer Cure Times: Typically requires longer curing times than epoxy.
Acrylic Sealers
Acrylic coatings serve as a cost-effective, entry-level protective solution and are best suited for light-duty commercial or warehouse environments with limited mechanical or chemical exposure.
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Pros
Cost-Effective: More affordable than epoxy, polyurethane, or polyaspartic systems.
UV Resistance: Provides moderate UV protection and colour retention.
Ease of Application: Fast-drying, typically water-based, and environmentally friendly.
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Cons
Limited Durability: Lower resistance to abrasion, impact, and chemical exposure.
Higher Maintenance: Requires more frequent reapplication due to reduced service life.
Temperature Sensitivity: Application is limited to moderate temperatures.
Industries That Use Precast Concrete Coating
Municipal & Public Infrastructure
Protective coatings are widely applied to precast concrete components used in municipal and public infrastructure. Common applications include coated pipes for potable water systems, water reservoirs and tanks, sewer manholes, and wastewater infrastructure, where long-term resistance to chemical attack, abrasion, and moisture ingress is critical.
Civil Construction and Transportation
In civil construction and transportation projects, coated precast concrete is used to extend service life and reduce maintenance requirements. Typical applications include highway infrastructure, bridge components (girders, deck panels, and vertical support columns), railway infrastructure (sleepers, platform sections, and ties), and culverts and underpasses for drainage, water management, and roadway crossings.
Oil, Gas, and Energy
In the oil and gas sector, protective-coated precast concrete is used for pipeline crossings, where structural loading, soil movement, and environmental exposure are of concern. Coated precast elements are also used in water and fluid conveyance systems to improve resistance to chemical exposure, erosion, and long-term degradation.
Agriculture & Irrigation
Precast concrete coatings are commonly used in agricultural and irrigation infrastructure to improve durability in aggressive service environments. Applications include water storage and troughs, silage pits, silage maize structures, manure containment systems, and supporting infrastructure throughout farm operations where exposure to moisture, chemicals, and organic acids is expected.
Why Choose Custom Coatings International?
With over three decades of expertise, our team specializes in the precise application of protective coatings across the oil & gas, construction, and agricultural sectors. We prioritize surface preparation, coating selection, and application quality to ensure maximum protection and long-lasting performance, even in the harshest operating environments.
Request a Quote
To initiate the quoting process, please provide the following information (if available):
• Drawings or isometrics
• Coating specifications
• Operating environment details (temperature range and chemical exposure)
• Project timeline or required completion date
We look forward to partnering with you on your coating project. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact us by phone or email below.
