Cracks or sunken areas, and the most dreadful spalling. No contractor likes to be able to spot these issues as they enter an area for work. Incorrect curing procedures or moisture issues and other external factors can cause concrete damage to floors in warehouses as well as corporate offices. If you’ve been assigned the task of polishing concrete floors and find it badly damaged, your task is now that much more difficult. But, inspecting a concrete surface before you attempt to polish it is crucial to ensure the quality of the final outcome.
What are the various causes that can cause damage to concrete? And how can you be sure that you have an area that is ready to be polished? Runyon Surface Prep is equipped with the equipment and expertise that you require to complete flawless projects from beginning to end. Take a look below for a deeper look at the typical causes of damage to concrete.
WHAT CAN CAUSE DAMAGED CONCRETE?
1. CORROSION
Concrete floors reinforced with reinforcement offer an excellent quality of structural stability. However, the steel bars incorporated into the flooring can create the floor to have their own issues. Although concrete is generally an extra layer of protection that protects the steel from rust the chloride ions of substances like deicing salts could enter through cracks and crevices. If the steel is corroded due to this the concrete around it can be affected by spalling and cracking. corrosion is among the most significant reasons for the deterioration of concrete and it is therefore vital that reinforced concrete is properly installed and maintained to limit the possibility of damage.
2. FREEZE-THAW CYCLE
If your concrete flooring is outside and subject to the elements continuously. This means that it is exposed to wind, rain, and the never-ending freeze-thaw cycle to mention only a handful of natural forces. Similar to corrosion, moisture is the main cause of damage to concrete. If the moisture content within your concrete is frozen it expands, placing pressure on the cavities in the substance. When enough time passes and pressure builds these cavities will split. The repeated freeze-thaw cycles gradually break down the concrete and leave you with a cracked, flaking surface. Concrete with less permeability (i.e. it has a lower percentage of cement to water) will last longer in freeze-thaw conditions.
3. FIRE
In addition, various other causes of extreme heat could cause irreparable damage to concrete. Although the concrete itself will not be burning, the flames may nevertheless affect the strength of concrete’s structure which can weaken its elasticity and its compressive and flexural strength. It is possible to see concrete spalling because of the moisture that changed into water vapor upon heating.
4. IMPROPER INSTALLATION
Incorrectly designed joints, excessive moisture that is present during curing or within the mix, as well as premature sealing, are only some examples of a project that went wrong. If the person who installed the flooring trying to finish the task, you’ll probably discover spalling, crazing, blisters, as well as other signs of damage that need to be repaired before proceeding to polish.
CONCRETE PROTECTION from damage
Prevention and preventive maintenance are vital to prevent the concrete flooring from getting damaged at all. Proper placement of the concrete floor is vital as is a quality polishing job on top of this will help in preventing degradation and damage. When you’re installing a concrete topping, for instance, ensure that the surface is clean and free of sealers, oils, and hardeners, curing substances as well as any other materials which could hinder adhesion or make your installation less durable. Make sure the surface is prepared, whether through grinding or shot blasting, and ensure that you’ve created the perfect concrete shape prior to proceeding.
Most importantly, you must be sure to check the condition of the concrete floor prior to starting to polish it. Details about the condition and condition of the floor will assist you in determining whether it is able to be safely polished or if a new floor is required. If you find significant foundational problems, the whole floor must be replaced before you can begin. If you only find minor damage, you might be able to continue by filling in tiny cracks and strengthening joints using joint fillers.
Runyon offers a range of top joint fillers manufactured from Metzger. We also have a large supply of concrete mixes, repair materials, chemicals, and other materials for surface preparation in stock to ensure you are stocked with everything you require to make your concrete flooring ready to be transformed.
After polishing the floor, you or your client will have a durable, high-shine floor with little maintenance for the years to come. But be aware of potential dangers to your appearance, such as oil spills as well as adhesive left behind!
CONCRETE SPALLING
If you’re thinking of ways to fix concrete spalling perhaps it’s not so difficult as you imagine. Instead of a completely fresh floor surface, it might be able to just resurface the existing one. Damages that are minor can be repaired by scraping off the damaged layer of concrete and then pouring a fresh one. Make sure you use a power washer and possibly scratch the surface prior to.