TSA Technical Series: Concrete Repair 101

Concrete doesn’t lie. Whether it’s surface spalling, rust stains, or hairline fractures, each imperfection tells a story about how a building has aged, what forces it’s been exposed to, and what might fail next. Learning to read these imperfections can help us prevent aesthetic issues from becoming structural liabilities or small cracks growing into costly repair projects. 

Join us for our next TSA Technical Lecture as Borys Gopka, CEO of Tenera, takes us through a one-hour primer specifically designed for architects, engineers and other building professionals looking to better understand what these early signs can tell us about the health of our concrete structures. During this session, we’ll dive into the most common forms of concrete deterioration, how to tell cosmetic flaws from deeper problems, and what symptoms point to underlying causes like corrosion, water ingress, or calcium and hydraulic pocketing. We’ll also share some practical ways to extend concrete’s lifespan and repair strategies—including how to make those fixes look seamless through effective colour and texture matching.

Participants in this lecture will learn: 

• How to recognize the warning signs of concrete distress—and what they mean 
• When you can repair, when you should replace, and how to tell the difference 
• What non-destructive testing tools can (and can’t) reveal about concrete health 
• Techniques to make repairs blend in beautifully with the original surface 
• The right time in the concrete lifecycle to plan for maintenance and repair 

From restoration to new builds, this session arms architects with practical know-how to keep concrete—and budgets—from cracking under pressure.

TSA MEMBERS: This event is free for TSA Members using the discount code found in the TSA Bulletin and on your Member Dashboard. Not a member yet? Membership is open to everyone and you can join here (student memberships are free!).

OAA MEMBERS: This lecture is eligible for 1 OAA Structured Learning Hour. When registering, please include your full name as registered with the OAA to ensure your certificate of participation is credited properly. Please also include an email address you check frequently to ensure you receive our certificate in a timely manner.