Short answer
Scaling is flaking of the surface. Dusting is a soft, powdery surface. Crazing is a web of fine shallow cracks. Popouts are small cone-shaped pits. NRMCA links most of these to finishing with bleed water on the surface, added water, or poor curing. Crazing does not affect structural integrity, and light to moderate scaling can be resurfaced.
Key facts
- Scaling can happen without freezing, often from early steel troweling or finishing with bleed water present (NRMCA CIP 2)
- Dusting surfaces scratch with a nail and powder under traffic (NRMCA CIP 1)
- Craze cracks are rarely more than 1/8 inch deep and do not affect structural integrity (NRMCA CIP 3)
- A repaired surface is only as strong as the base it bonds to (NRMCA CIP 2)
Scaling
Scaling is local flaking or peeling of the finished surface. NRMCA ties most of it to freeze-thaw cycles, which are uncommon here, but notes it also happens without freezing, often because of early steel troweling, over-finishing, or finishing while bleed water is on the surface. Minor scaling is cosmetic. Light to moderate scaling can be repaired with a thin bonded resurfacing on a sound base, and the repair will not match the original color.
Dusting
A dusting surface powders under traffic and scratches with a nail. NRMCA traces it to finishing while bleed water is on the surface, broadcasting dry cement or sprinkling water during finishing, and insufficient curing.
Crazing
Crazing is a network of fine random cracks, rarely more than an eighth of an inch deep, that usually shows up within the first week. NRMCA says it does not affect structural integrity and is generally not a sign of future deterioration. Added water, finishing with bleed water present, and sprinkling cement or water on the surface are common causes.
Popouts
A popout is a small cone-shaped pit left when a porous piece of aggregate near the surface fractures. NRMCA says the physical kind is typical in climates with freezing and thawing under moist conditions, usually in the first year.
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