Why do some concrete surfaces flake?
In areas where freezing and thawing occurs, the concrete should be air-entrained to resist flaking and scaling. To improve durability of the surface, the water/cement ratio should be as low as possible. Flaking and spalling of the surface could occur when too much water is applied to the mix. If the excess water is worked into the concrete before the water sheen on the surface is gone and excess water on the surface has evaporated, the high water content on the surface will make the concrete weaker and less durable.
