Edinburgh · Edinburgh and the Lothians
Concrete repairs in Edinburgh
From a cracked canopy over a shop door to a spalling lintel on a house, concrete repairs in Edinburgh follow the same steps. Cut back to sound concrete, treat the steel, rebuild the section and stop water getting back in.
Guide price from£80per m² inc VAT
- Postcodes
- EH1, EH2, EH3
- Population
- about 510,000
- Area
- Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Pricing region
- Scotland
Why does the ground in Edinburgh and the Lothians matter for concrete repairs?
We cover Edinburgh and its postcode districts EH1, EH2, EH3, part of Edinburgh and the Lothians, with a population of roughly 510,000. Nearby, we also cover Musselburgh (6 miles), Bonnyrigg (6 miles) and Mayfield (8 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in Edinburgh and the Lothians than in south-east England. Parts of Edinburgh and the Lothians lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Housing stock in Edinburgh and the Lothians: Sandstone tenements and Georgian terraces, miners' rows, bungalows and post-war estates.
How we usually approach concrete repairs
Recasting or strengthening
Where steel has lost much of its section, or a lintel or canopy is too far gone to patch, the element is propped and rebuilt, replaced or strengthened to an engineer’s design. It is less common, but sometimes the more lasting option for small canopies and old precast lintels.
Best for: Badly corroded lintels, canopies and balcony edges
Protective coatings and sealing
After repair, an anti-carbonation coating, a waterproof deck membrane on a balcony, or a penetrating sealer slows the return of moisture and carbon dioxide. Restoring drips, upstands and falls so water drains away is as important as the coating itself.
Best for: Extending the life of repaired balconies and canopies
What happens during concrete repairs, step by step?
Survey and tapping test
On site we tap the surface to find hollow areas, check the steel where it is exposed and note drainage. Where the extent is unclear, a cover meter, carbonation test or chloride test may be advised before repair.
Written quote
You receive a no-obligation written quote setting out the estimated area of patching, the length of crack injection, coatings and access. It becomes a fixed price in writing once the repair is specified, with any re-measure terms stated clearly.
Break out, repair, protect
Damaged concrete is cut back to sound material, steel cleaned and primed, and the section rebuilt and cured. Cracks are injected, then the surface is coated and drainage details put right so water runs off rather than sitting.
What to look for before calling about concrete repairs
- Exposed steel bars showing where concrete has fallen away
- Chunks or flakes of concrete breaking away from edges and soffits
- Rust-coloured stains or streaks running down the concrete surface
Concrete repairs prices in Edinburgh
Prices in Edinburgh are worked out on Scotland rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete patch repair | £80 – £170 | per m² |
| Crack injection | £170 – £455 | per metre |
| Small jobs (minimum visit)est. | £430 – £855 | per visit |
Rules for concrete repairs in Scotland
In Scotland, small repairs often do not need a building warrant, but structural alterations and strengthening generally do. Check with the council’s building standards service if unsure; there is no Party Wall Act in Scotland.
Questions about concrete repairs in Edinburgh
How much should I budget for concrete repairs in Edinburgh?
Guide prices for concrete repairs in Edinburgh start from about £80 per m², including VAT, on Scotland rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Can you survey a property in Edinburgh?
Yes, Edinburgh is covered, along with postcode districts EH1, EH2, EH3. We also cover nearby Musselburgh and Bonnyrigg.
Why do houses in Edinburgh and the Lothians crack?
Edinburgh is volcanic and sedimentary rock with glacial till, while the Midlothian and East Lothian coalfields and oil-shale workings in West Lothian have left recorded mine workings and bings. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
What is spalling concrete?
Spalling is concrete breaking away from the surface in flakes or chunks. In reinforced concrete it is usually caused by the steel inside rusting and expanding, which pushes the cover off. It often follows a straight line where a bar sits close to the surface, with rust staining nearby.
Can you repair a cracked concrete lintel?
Often, yes. Spalling and small cracks in a concrete lintel can be patch repaired and the steel treated. If the lintel is badly cracked, sagging or the bars have lost much of their section, replacement is usually better, and the opening is propped while it is done.
Related work in Edinburgh
- Subsidence repairs
- Roof structure repairs
- Bowing wall repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
Concrete repairs near Edinburgh
Managing a block in Edinburgh with tired concrete balconies? Send photos or an engineer’s schedule, and we will price the repairs balcony by balcony.