Repairing Guides

how to repair polished concrete floors

by Abe Gutkowski Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Steps:

  • Determine the cause (s) of damage
  • Evaluate the extent of damage
  • Evaluate the need to repair
  • Select the repair method and material
  • Prepare the existing concrete for repair
  • Apply the repair method

Part of a video titled Polished Concrete Preparation: Repairing Cracks & More
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You will always make the structural repair. And then honor the existing. Saw joint by recutting theMoreYou will always make the structural repair. And then honor the existing. Saw joint by recutting the joint the full depth. And then fill it with polyuria joint filler.

Full Answer

How to polish concrete floors in 6 Easy Steps?

  • Dampen the area with water but do not let it puddle.
  • Spray in an overlapping manner, maintaining a wet edge.
  • Allow acid stain to react with the concrete floor for at least 6-hours.
  • Clean residue and pour water on floor to approximate the final color. ...
  • Clean residue from floor with degreaser and neutralizer solution using an acid brush. ...

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How to properly clean polished concrete floors?

Instructions

  • Remove Surface Dust and Debris Sweep, vacuum or dust mop regularly to help prevent scratches from dirt and grit.
  • Mix Cleaning Solution and Wet Mop Weekly, mix two gallons of warm water and two teaspoons dishwashing liquid in a bucket or sink. ...
  • Rinse and Dry Go back over the floor with clean water to rinse away any soapy residue. ...

How to grind and polish concrete floors?

  • Pour schedule
  • Test panel location and requirements
  • Placement environment
  • Soil support system
  • Concrete materials and specific mix design
  • Concrete testing and observation
  • Floor flatness/Floor levelness requirements
  • Slab reinforcement
  • Joint detail
  • Placing and finishing procedures

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How to fill large holes in concrete cement floors?

Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Mixing and Spreading Patching Material

  1. Fill holes with a mortar mix instead of regular concrete. When you shop for store-bought concrete, you will see a variety of different options.
  2. Brush a bonding agent onto the concrete. A bonding agent is a liquid that helps join new and old concrete.
  3. Pour the mortar mix into a bucket filled with water. ...

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Can you repair cracks in polished concrete floors?

So what does cracked concrete mean for polished concrete? Honestly not too much, cracks can be repaired. Depending on the size of the crack will dictact the way the crack is fixed.

How do you touch up polished concrete?

0:241:34How to Patch and Repair Polished Concrete and Polishable OverlayYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd mix it with our patch of material in order to establish that same color or hue. And then see aMoreAnd mix it with our patch of material in order to establish that same color or hue. And then see a little bit of aggregate into it and make it look more like the concrete.

Can you patch polished concrete?

Patching polished concrete does not need to be your Achilles' heel. Rather, it can be a means to turn your customer into an advocate. By planning ahead, educating your customer and creating a patching kit, you take the mystery out of patching, creating acceptable patches more than 90 percent of the time.

How do you repair chips is a polished concrete floor?

Patching polished concrete floors that are chipped is essentially the same as patching polished concrete floors that are cracked. The chipped area is cleaned and color matching polyurethane patching material is applied over a few coats, with the patch allowed to dry between coats.

How do you fix pitted polished concrete?

Steps:Assess the damage to the concrete surface. The first step is to determine the depth of damage. ... Clean and remove any loose material from the pitted concrete garage floor. Ensure that the area is clean and free of any debris. ... Prepare the concrete patch. ... Apply the concrete patch. ... Sealing the new concrete floor.

How do you repair an indoor concrete floor?

Whichever type you use (they're both available at home centers), follow these steps.Step 1: Use a hammer and a cold chisel to level the bottom of the hole. ... Step 2: Brush on a concrete bonding liquid. ... Step 3: While the bonding agent is still tacky, mix the concrete. ... Step 4: Level the patch.

How do you repair stained concrete floors?

0:074:45Using Tinted Concrete Sealer to Repair Stained Floors - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd in solvent based sealers and it is tinted sealer are they put pigments in there. So you canMoreAnd in solvent based sealers and it is tinted sealer are they put pigments in there. So you can actually roll that across this floor change the floor color and it's somewhat translucent.

How do you keep polished concrete from cracking?

There are several ways a concrete specialist can prevent concrete from cracking too soon:Considering Temperature Changes. ... Adding Joints. ... Avoid Excess Water. ... Excellent Subgrade Preparation. ... Prevent Concrete From Cracking By Proper Curing. ... How Can We Help You?

What is polished concrete overlay?

Available for both residential and commercial projects, polished concrete topping (PCT) is a cement based, self-leveling topping for internal floors that will produce a polished concrete surface.

How do I remove scratches from concrete?

Do as Reader's Digest recommends and use baking soda. Combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda with enough warm water to make a thick paste. Scrub the scuffed area with the baking soda mixture, then rinse clean. Repeat if needed.

Is polished concrete better than epoxy?

If cost significantly impacts your decision, your chances are that you will choose polished concrete. The simple reason for such a decision is that polished concrete floors last much longer, concrete polishing cost less than epoxy application, and polished concrete is easier to clean.

How do you repair stained concrete floors?

0:074:45Using Tinted Concrete Sealer to Repair Stained Floors - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd in solvent based sealers and it is tinted sealer are they put pigments in there. So you canMoreAnd in solvent based sealers and it is tinted sealer are they put pigments in there. So you can actually roll that across this floor change the floor color and it's somewhat translucent.

How long does it take for cement mortar to cure?

First remove the dust in the pit, moisten it with water, then brush it in the pit with a repair agent, and then fill in the cement mortar. The cement mortar needs curing. After three days of curing, the later grinding and polishing process can be carried out. Of course, the curing time is longer. it is good.

How to make concrete slurry?

The original slurry is blocked by pressure. After adding a suitable amount of water to grind the concrete into a slurry, continue grinding without adding water until it is dry, at which time the small holes will be compressed and blocked.

Can you use soap on polished concrete?

Before committing to a certain kind of detergent or soap for cleaning your facility's floors, check to be sure the product or products you've chosen are safe to use on polished concrete flooring.

Can concrete be stained?

Concrete, even polished concrete, is a porous substance that can easily be stained by oils, acids, and other liquids that seep down into it. (This is why we recommend a liquid-impervious floor coating such as epoxy or urethane for environments that deal with vehicles or chemicals.)

Can you polish concrete floors?

That being said, polished concrete floors are not invincible, and they can sustain damage over time.

Do you need caulk or joint filler?

In some cases, you may only need a joint filler or caulk to take care minor cracks. In other cases, you may need a rigid filler or a troweled mortar to repair large areas of the floor. After this step, the floor can be re-stained and re-polished as needed.

Does polished concrete lose gloss?

In areas exposed to especially high foot traffic, the surface of your polished concrete floor may begin to lose some of its gloss. This is more likely to happen for floors with a sealer or burnished topical treatment to give a shiny appearance, and this will wear more quickly over time.

What are the problems with concrete floors?

Problem 1: Imprints, Waves, & Stains In The Floor. 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.

How long does it take for a concrete floor to be 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.

How long does it take for a slab to be flat?

Waves: It is important to make sure the floor is flat. The flatness of the floor is measured within 48 hours ...

Can you use joint filler with a higher hardness?

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.

Do you need to seal concrete before polishing?

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. ...

Can polished concrete be poured?

However, if the floor is not poured and treated correctly, some problems can arise.

Is concrete hand troweled or power troweled?

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.

How do I polish a concrete floor?

Change to diamond resin-based pads to begin polishing. Start with a 50-grit pad and grind the surface of the resin and the surrounding concrete up to the point where you masked it off and removed the sealant. Switch to a 200-grit pad and go over the area again, smoothing the surface further. Continue with the switch and grind cycle, changing the pad after each pas with the grinder until you reach a 1500-grit pad. Each pass makes the concrete progressively smoother, polishing the surface to a matte finish.

How do I remove a crack in a concrete floor?

Brush two layers of water-based concrete coating remover over the floor within the crack area. Use a thin coating of the remover for the first layer, and let it sit on the sealer covering the concrete for 20 minutes. Place the second thicker coat of remover onto the sealant, building a total remover depth that's twice that of the sealant on the surface of the concrete. Wait 30 minutes for the remover to strip away the sealant and then scrape the remover from the concrete surface using a putty knife.

How do I repair a crack in a wood floor?

Use an angle grinder equipped with a crack chaser blade to prepare the crack for repair. Route out the crack with the blade. Cut the walls of the crack vertical, slanting slightly wider towards the bottom of the crack. Level the floor of the crack to a depth of about 1 inch with no sudden rises or falls in the crack floor that can lead to weakened patches.

How do I repair a crack in concrete?

Brush the sides and bottom of the crack with epoxy gel adhesive to serve as a bonding agent between the concrete and the repair material. Wait for the adhesive to dry to a point where it no longer appears wet but remains sticky when touched. Fill the crack with joint repair compound. Pack the compound in tightly with the putty knife until it slightly overflows the crack. Go over the surface of the crack with the edge of the knife to level the compound with the surrounding floor. Wait two hours for the compound to dry.

How to protect concrete from damage?

Apply a coating of polyurethane finish over the surface using a low-nap roller to protect it from damage. Extend the coating to overlap slightly the coating remaining on the undamaged concrete. Allow the coating to dry for the manufacturer's recommended length of time before stepping onto the concrete.

What is the maintenance of polished concrete floors?

Routine maintenance for polished floors consists of daily dust mopping to remove dirt and grime accumulation that can abrade the surface of polished concrete. Frequent wet mopping with clean water is also needed.

How to clean large square footage?

Use an automatic floor scrubber equipped with a nonabrasive pad to clean large square footage areas. Mop and bucket cleaning can be used in smaller areas. When wet mopping, use a neutral floor cleaner formulated to suspend the dirt particles so they can be more easily removed.

Is polished concrete maintenance free?

While polished concrete floors are not maintenance-free, they generally are easier to care for than other types of decorative concrete floors, since they require no waxing or sealing.

Can you use soft pads on polished floors?

Clean recommends using very soft pads on polished floors to clean the surface without scratching or etching. Looking for products? Find concrete polishing supplies. The exact maintenance regimen needed and the frequency of cleaning is largely dictated by amount of traffic the floors receives.

Do polished concrete floors need to be cleaned?

Although polished concrete floors are extremely durable, they still need to be properly cleaned and maintained . This is especially true if they are located in high-traffic commercial or retail facilities.

Can polished concrete be cleaned?

Get advice for polished concrete maintenance in both residential and commercial environments—includes information on daily cleaning and more involved maintenance procedures. Although polished concrete floors are extremely durable, they still need to be properly cleaned and maintained.

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