The Importance of Concrete Surface Preparation

Concrete coatings provide both durability and style to industrial floors. However, a coating is only as good as the surface it adheres to, and that’s where proper surface preparation becomes essential. Without proper surface prep, even the best coatings can fail to withstand harsh service environments.

The key to a Fort Collins, CO concrete floor repair is expertly following what are known as the three Cs of surface preparation: Clean, Check and Condition. While it may seem straightforward enough, neglecting to follow these critical steps can cause coating failure and result in costly re-work.

During cleaning, physical methods are utilized to clean concrete surfaces of oil, grease, existing coatings, dirt and other contaminants that may impact the adhesion of the repair material. The most effective method for this is a light blast with a Vacuum Assisted Shotblaster, which opens holes, voids and cracks as well as removes form release agents, weak concrete, laitance, and dirt, all while being connected to an industrial vacuum that removes over 95% of the dust created during the process.

The Importance of Proper Concrete Surface Preparation

After cleaning, the concrete surface is profiled to create a rough surface that enhances mechanical bonding between the existing concrete and the repair material. This step is often accomplished using a variety of methods, including acid etching, sandblasting, or shotblasting depending on the specific requirements of each project.

After profiling, the concrete is saturated to achieve what’s called Saturated Surface Dry (SSD). SSD is important for two reasons: it prevents the concrete from absorbing too much water from the repair materials and helps ensure that the repair materials are fully bonded to the existing concrete.

Concrete Polishing Of Northern Colorado
33906 Siasconset Rd, Windsor, CO 80550, United States
(970) 215-9106