Question: If our building has magnesite flooring, what can we proactively do to minimise the risk of moisture problems and prevent concrete cancer from developing or worsening?
Answer: It is always important to control any water ingress.
If magnesite flooring is exposed to moisture, it can increase the risk of concrete damage. Therefore, it is always important to control any water ingress. As damage often occurs in wet areas, such as bathrooms or near external windows and doors where a leak has occurred, we recommend monitoring these areas closely for water penetration. Further damage, such as concrete cancer, can be minimised by immediately drying out water penetration. Proper rectification of the leak will also assist.
Unfortunately, once corrosion of steel has commenced within the concrete, it can only be controlled via destructive methods such as removal of the magnesite flooring and exposing the damage.
This post appears in the November 2025 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
Bruce McKenzie Sedgwick E: bruce.mckenzie@au.sedgwick.com P: 1300 735 720