Durban piers need attention, says Glenwood consultant
A resident said underestimating the damage resulting from spalling is dangerous.
ETHEKWINI Municipality has said it will address repairs to spalling on piers at the Durban beachfront, following complaints by a Glenwood resident, Alwyn Selby.
Selby, a former consultant and project manager previously involved in major developments, said he had noted with concern spalling on the pillars of the piers at the Durban beachfront.
Spalling is the result of water entering brick, concrete, or natural stone. It forces the surface to peel, pop out, or flake off. Spalling happens in concrete because of moisture in the concrete. Salt also damages concrete over time by causing corrosion to occur under the surface, leading to discoloured, cracked and crumbling concrete.
“I know how to fix this as I was previously contracted to do spalling concrete repair. You can really only fix it by cutting it out. It is evident in some places on the Durban piers that there have been attempts to ‘paint over’ it, however it is like a cancer, you can’t just put a plaster over it,” he said.
“The northeaster comes from the sea and because of the severe marine conditions, you need special reinforced concrete for these piers.”
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Selby said there needed to be correct maintenance and repairs done on the piers as if they were not treated, they would disintegrate to the point that no repairs and maintenance can be done. He said underestimating the damage resulting from spalling is dangerous.
“If it gets worse and worse, the piers will collapse,” he said.
Responding to queries, the municipality said the uShaka/Moyo Pier was inspected six weeks ago and the minor damage to the concrete piles due to spalling was identified. A solution to the repairs has been proposed, budget for repairs have been approved, and it is hoped work will be complete before the December holiday season.
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