I’ve spent more than a decade working as a concrete restoration contractor specializing in underground parking structures across Montreal, and I can tell you this: most people don’t think about their garage until chunks of concrete Montreal underground concrete parking garage repair contractor through the ceiling. By the time I get a call, the problem has usually been developing for years.
Montreal underground concrete parking garage repair contractor work is unlike almost any other type of restoration. Between freeze-thaw cycles, road salts, moisture infiltration, and heavy vehicle traffic, these structures are under constant attack. I’ve walked into garages in early spring where the air still smells of salt and damp concrete, and you can already see the damage spreading in spiderweb cracks across the slab.
One job last spring stands out. A condo board called me after residents noticed small pieces of concrete on their windshields. When I performed the initial inspection, I found widespread delamination overhead. If you tapped the slab with a hammer, you could hear the hollow sound that tells you the reinforcing steel underneath has started to corrode. The salt carried in by cars had penetrated through hairline cracks, reached the rebar, and caused it to expand. That expansion forces the concrete outward until it separates and eventually falls.
Many property managers assume patching the visible damage is enough. In my experience, that approach usually costs more in the long run. I’ve been brought in to redo work where a previous contractor simply applied surface mortar over active corrosion. Within a couple of winters, the patches failed because the underlying steel was never properly cleaned or treated. Proper repair means removing all deteriorated concrete, exposing the rebar, mechanically cleaning it, applying corrosion protection, and then rebuilding the section with compatible repair materials. Skipping steps might save money upfront, but Montreal’s climate will quickly expose shortcuts.
Waterproofing is another area where I see frequent mistakes. Underground garages depend heavily on membranes and proper drainage to control moisture. I once worked on a multi-level commercial garage where water was dripping consistently from one ramp slab. The owner thought it was a plumbing issue. After investigation, we discovered failed expansion joint seals at the surface level. Meltwater mixed with de-icing salt was running straight through the structure. Replacing the joint system and restoring the membrane stopped the leak and prevented further structural damage.
As a licensed contractor with training in structural concrete restoration, I always emphasize thorough condition assessments. Core samples, chain-drag testing, and visual inspections tell a more complete story than surface appearances alone. I’ve seen garages that looked relatively sound from a distance but revealed extensive internal corrosion once testing began. Conversely, I’ve also reassured worried owners when staining looked dramatic but hadn’t yet compromised structural integrity.
Another common issue in Montreal garages is slab edge deterioration. The perimeter of a parking level is especially vulnerable because of temperature swings and snow accumulation. I remember a residential building where the slab edges along the exterior wall had deteriorated so severely that sections were crumbling under light pressure. Residents thought it was cosmetic. In reality, those edges support load transfer, and ignoring them could have led to larger structural concerns.
I tend to advise property managers not to delay inspections beyond a few years, even if no obvious damage is visible. Preventative maintenance—resealing joints, addressing minor cracks, maintaining proper drainage—can extend the life of a structure significantly. Once corrosion takes hold, repairs become more invasive and disruptive.
Underground garage repair in Montreal isn’t glamorous work. It’s dusty, noisy, and often done under tight schedules while residents still need access to their parking. But when done correctly, it restores not just the concrete, but the safety and long-term value of the building. I’ve stood in freshly restored garages months after completion and felt confident knowing that the structure beneath those parked cars is solid again. That’s the difference between temporary patchwork and true structural repair.