The Correct Way to
Resurface Concrete
One thing most people never realize on time is that concrete is an extremely porous surface. Concrete is a strong and durable material, but it does, and it will require repairs along the way, especially as it ages, and it is exposed to more and more types of chemicals and liquids. Things like spalling, pitting, cracking, mold, scratches, and more are examples of damages that occur simply over time because concrete is such an absorbent surface. It is longer lasting and much more durable than more traditional flooring materials, but everything needs an update once in a while. Don’t be fooled, you won’t have to rip out your concrete surface and replace it with a new one, resurfacing a concrete surface works just as well, if not better than any other solution for repairing and updating a concrete slab.
There are signs that you should watch out for that tell you when it is time to resurface your concrete slab. Things like:
- Cracks-some can be extremely harmless and simply hinder the appearance of a concrete surface and others can grow into serious issues that can become safety hazards.
- Flaking and spalling-this can create an uneven surface when concrete begins to break off. Typically, this is found in areas that use heavy machinery or when concrete is not installed properly.
- Pitting-this can happen for several reasons but should never be left alone.
All of these issues can be causes for concern and reasons why you should consider professionally resurfacing your concrete slab.
The basic steps for having a professionally finished resurfaced floor include:
- Concrete needs to be cleaned first and foremost! Things like debris, oils, dirt, liquids, paints, sealers, coatings, and grease all need to be removed before any resurfacing. This will ensure that the resurfacing successfully happen.
- Any cracks, delamination, spalling or minor issues have to repair. If these issues are not properly taken care of then the resurfacing will not take properly.
- Grinding or shot blasting the surface is an effective way to prepare the concrete surface. This roughs up the surface a bit to ensure that the concretes pores are prepared to adhere to the overlay.
- Your concrete is now ready to have an overlay applied and a floor coating can be applied after that depending on what you want your surface to look like.
This is an overly simplified version of what it means to correctly resurface a concrete slab. It is important to note that it is always highly advised to have a resurfacing project done. This creates a long-lasting environment. Resurfacing requires proper testing and prep equipment and the knowledge on how to use all these things properly. With proper and professional installation, your floors will offer many benefits:
- Professionally finished floors last much longer than DIY kits and save more money in the long run.
- When your resurfaced slab has been done correctly it can last over two decades.
- Professionally resurfaced slabs can be installed to mimic other flooring materials while still having the resiliency of concrete.
So, what is the proper way to resurface a concrete floor? Call a professional.