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On February 26, 2025, residents of Dockside Condominiums in Charleston, South Carolina, were given just 48 hours to evacuate. Engineers had deemed the structure potentially unsafe—reviving haunting memories of the Surfside, Florida tragedy in 2021, where a partial condo collapse claimed 98 lives.

Both events spotlight a growing truth: concrete corrosion is not just a maintenance issue—it’s a life safety risk.

As cities face rising tides, stronger storms, and aging infrastructure, the need for corrosion-resistant concrete has never been more urgent.

The Battery, a promenade and defensive wall in the historic downtown of Charleston, South Carolina.

The Enemy Within: Why Concrete Fails

Concrete is the second most consumed material in the world, used in everything from roads to seawalls. But it isn’t invincible. When moisture seeps into unprotected concrete, it initiates corrosion in the steel reinforcement. As the steel rusts and expands, it cracks the surrounding concrete—accelerating deterioration.

The result? Costly repairs, early failures, and in worst-case scenarios, structural collapse.

Corrosion in the steel reinforcement of a bridge

The PRA Advantage: Waterproofing from the Inside Out

The good news? This kind of failure is preventable.

Permeability-Reducing Admixtures (PRAs) are integrated into the concrete mix to block water infiltration at the molecular level. These admixtures form crystals that fill capillary pores—and even self-seal future cracks by growing new crystals upon contact with water.

Unlike membranes that rely on surface application, PRAs like provide permanent protection from within. They allow concrete to resist water pressure, salt exposure, and structural stress—without relying on coatings that can peel, puncture, or degrade over time.

Built for Coastal and Disaster-Prone Zones

Coastal regions are particularly vulnerable. Saltwater, storm surges, and freeze-thaw cycles erode concrete faster than most structures are designed to handle. PRAs are now being recognized as an essential tool in:

• Seawalls and flood mitigation systems
• Water treatment facilities
• Below-grade concrete in high-risk flood zones
• Residential and commercial developments in hurricane-affected areas

As governments invest billions in climate resilience, waterproofing concrete at the mix stage is a small design choice that offers massive long-term protection.

Beyond Floods: Defending Against Multiple Disasters

While most associated with waterproofing, PRAs contribute to structural durability across a wide range of threats:

• Wildfires: Concrete doesn’t burn, making it ideal for fire-resistant buildings.
• Tornadoes: Reinforced concrete shelters save lives during extreme wind events.
• Landslides & Earthquakes: Retaining walls and infrastructure benefit from PRA-enhanced strength and water resistance.

A Call to Build Smarter

The Surfside collapse led to a $1.2 billion settlement. More importantly, it forced a reckoning: Are we doing enough to future-proof our structures?

Corrosion and water damage are not only preventable—they’re predictable. And specifiers have access to technologies like PRAs that reduce liability, extend service life, and enhance public safety.

Charleston, South Carolina skyline

The Bottom Line

Durable, disaster-ready concrete isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. PRAs like KIM offer a proven, field-tested solution that protects both your project and your people.

Ready to design for resilience?
Explore how KIM can help you build structures that stand the test of time.