A polished concrete floor can be a beautiful addition to a home or business. However, if the floor is not poured and treated correctly, some problems can arise.
Problem 1: Imprints, Waves, & Stains In The Floor
Polyurea joint filler products are designed for use on indoor industrial, retail, or commercial polished concrete floors. While semi-rigid polyurea fillers are primarily used for concrete crack and joint repair, structural fillers are best used for surface repairs. QUIKRETE Concrete Repair, QUIKRETE Gray Concrete Crack Seal or QUIKRETE Self-Leveling Polyurethane Sealant may be used. Step 1 Widen the crack using a chisel and hammer to a minimum of ¼ inch and break away any deteriorating concrete (the edges of the crack should be vertical or beveled in an inverted “v”). If you live in an area where you have freeze/thaw cycles and you have exterior concrete with some cracks you want to repair: Like in a concrete driveway, pool deck, or patio. Then I recommend you use Elastipoxy to repair the cracked concrete. Elastipoxy will allow for some movement of the concrete (it dries flexible) without breaking down.
Imprints: When the concrete floor is being poured and polished, debris may get mixed into the slab. This will often leave imprints or need to be cut out. If they need to be cut out, the slab may need to be patched and may have spots that do not match the rest of the floor. To avoid having to cut out these imprints, make sure that all stray debris are removed before mixing the slab.
Waves: It is important to make sure the floor is flat. The flatness of the floor is measured within 48 hours of the time the concrete floor is finished. Waves may not be visible at first, but they can become apparent after the concrete floor is polished.
Stains: the concrete has a stain from oil, rust, or something else before it is polished, the stain may still be present in the finished concrete floor. It is important to take steps prior to polishing the concrete to protect the floor from stains.
Polished concrete floors are sometimes treated with a topical sealer. If the floor gets a stain, the sealer needs to be removed from joint to joint. This can make the removal of a small stain a much larger project. Using a penetrating sealer provides the same or greater stain protection and makes it easier to deal with stains without needing to remove the sealer from a large area.
Sometimes a joint filler is used with a higher shore hardness than necessary. This allows for very little movement of the concrete slab. Shrinking or settling can cause the joint filler to separate. This can be avoided by using a joint filler with a lower shore hardness.
Problem 2: Inconsistent Coloring
The perimeter of a concrete floor is hand-troweled, while the rest of the floor is power-troweled. These different troweling methods make the concrete surface less dense at the edges. Differences in color can be evident after the concrete floor is polished.
Having Problems With Your Polished Concrete Floor? Elite Concrete Systems Can Help!
At Elite Concrete Systems, we have seen these problems with polished concrete floors. Our customers have trusted us to repair these common issues and to take steps to prevent them when we polish new concrete floors. If you are having a problem with your polished concrete floor or would like to have your concrete floor polished to improve its appearance, contact us today for an estimate.
Contact us today to arrange a complimentary design consultation, and let us transform your concrete into a work of art.
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Repairing cracks in concrete is not as difficult as it might seem to someone who has never done it before. It basically involves cleaning out the cracks, then using either a concrete patching compound or concrete caulk to fill the space. For larger cracks, a little sand can be added before the patching compound is used. After the cracks have been filled, they should be allowed to dry completely. For concrete that is heavily damaged, or if the cracks appear in the foundation of your home or another building, it probably is best to use a professional concrete repair service.
Filling Crack In Concrete Floor
Repair Quickly
Home ownership comes with both benefits and responsibilities, and one of those responsibilities is to maintain the concrete or cement-paved areas around your home. It is best to perform the repairs as soon as you see any cracks in concrete on your property, for a variety of reasons. Cracks are easier to repair while they are still small. Safety is another reason to get started right away; homeowners are responsible for any injuries that occur on their property, and large cracks could cause someone to trip and fall. Cracked concrete can also be unattractive, and you likely will want to protect the looks and value of your home.
Causes of Cracks
Cracks in concrete can appear in driveways, patios, sidewalks and even around the foundation of your home. There are many things that can cause damage in these areas, including root growth and weather conditions. Perhaps the most common cause of cracked concrete is standing water; when water does not drain properly, it can work its way down between weakened sections and create a crack. Unless you solve the drainage problem, the cracking is likely to reoccur.
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Filling Cracks In Polished Concrete Floor
Repairing Small Cracks
For small cracks, such as those that are about 0.125 inch (about 3 mm) wide, start by using a screwdriver to chip away any flakes or loose concrete. Scour the cracks with a wire brush to remove any dirt and debris. Rinse the area using a hose or a bucket of water.
Next, mix up a small batch of concrete patching compound, which is available at most hardware stores. Using a latex additive will allow the compound to expand naturally through cold and hot weather. Trowel the compound into the cracks using a small putty knife. Smooth the surface right away, while the compound is still moist, because concrete compounds typically begin to set very quickly. Allow your repair work to dry thoroughly before you let anyone walk or drive on the surface.
Repairing Large Cracks
The beginning steps for repairing larger cracks in concrete are the same as for small cracks, but larger ones require the use of more advanced techniques: caulking or sand packing. Use a screwdriver to chip away any flakes or loose concrete. Scour the cracks with a wire brush, and rinse them out using a hose or a bucket of water.
To employ the caulking method, get some siliconized latex concrete caulk, which is available at most hardware stores. Using a caulking gun, force the caulk deep into the cracks along their length and breadth. The caulk will expand to fill the crack, and the nature of the substance will allow for expansion and contraction during weather changes, cutting down on the frequency of future repairs. The caulking compound will self-level, so there is no need to smooth the surface, but for large cracks, multiple applications may be needed.
If you choose to use the sand-packing method, you will need to buy sand and concrete patching compound, preferably with a latex additive for flexibility. Pour in a layer of sand to help fill the cracks, then apply the patching compound on top of it with a trowel. Smooth the surface quickly, and feather the new surface into the existing edges for a finished look.
Excessive Damage
Fixing Cracks In Polished Concrete Floors Restorer
For serious or exceptionally large concrete crack repairs, you might need to call in a professional. This is especially true if the cracks appear in the foundation of your home. A professional can conduct a risk assessment survey to find out whether there is structural damage that needs to be addressed. He or she may also be able to determine the cause of the cracking, and how future damage might be avoided.