Polished concrete eliminates the grooves and seams found in many other flooring options that collect dirt, debris and bacteria. This makes it ideal for facilities with stringent cleaning requirements, such as food processing and healthcare.
Concrete Polishing Contractor Huntsville TX will provide a clear and detailed scope of work document before starting the project. This will include the number of workers and equipment required, as well as supply chain delivery times.
When concrete is ground to a smooth finish and then polished with chemical densifiers and sealers, it becomes highly durable. These physical changes help to prevent stains and reduce the amount of dust that is shed from the concrete floor.
To prepare the surface for polishing, contractors use a diamond grinding technique. The type of diamonds used and the size and shape that they have is what makes this process work. Using the right diamonds and choosing the proper sizes in relation to the concrete’s hardness level is crucial for the outcome of the final product. Using the wrong diamonds will result in the concrete being cut too thin, and that leads to premature wear.
Before the concrete can be polished, any existing coatings must be removed and cracks and holes filled. This step is important because it allows for clean results and eliminates the chance of those blemishes resurfacing once the polishing process is complete. The area that is going to be polished needs to be cleared of all movable items and a safety perimeter should be established. It is also a good idea to provide access for the machines and for any sludge containers to be disposed of in an approved site.
It is also a good idea to ask the concrete polishing contractor for pictures of previous projects similar to yours. That will allow you to get a sense of the company’s experience and ability to produce quality results. It is also a good idea to find out how long the project will take and what the minimum and maximum rates are for that particular job.
A concrete polishing contractor who holds a CPC Craftsman certification has been through rigorous testing and is well qualified to perform the work at hand. They should be able to tell you that they have been working on floors for over 4500 hours. The next question to ask is how many of those hours were spent on polishing projects that were larger in scope than the one you are having done. If they can’t give you a specific answer, that should be a red flag that they aren’t accustomed to the size of the job at hand.
Polishing
Concrete polishing is a labor-intensive process that requires specialized heavy-duty machines with diamond-impregnated disks. It is not a project for the do-it-yourselfer, and only a certified and experienced contractor should undertake it. The final results are spectacular and provide a durable, stain-resistant, reflective surface that enhances the beauty of your facility or home.
The process of grinding, honing, and polishing a concrete surface can also help to improve its strength, abrasion resistance, and water absorption. A good contractor will know the optimum speed, motion, and pressure to use to achieve these results. They will also choose the correct abrasive material and sheen specifications for the specific concrete substrate they are working with. They will also know when the concrete substrate may need more extensive repairs, or alternative solutions like coverings.
A good contractor will discuss and review the work scope with the client before starting a project. This will ensure all of the responsibilities and expectations are clear to both parties, and that the end result is what is expected. It will also give the concrete polishing company a chance to address any potential issues that could arise, and resolve them before they become larger problems.
In many instances, clients will want to dress up their polished concrete floors with colored stains or dyes. This is a very popular and cost-effective option for dressing up a commercial floor. Unlike acid stains, concrete dyes come in a wider color palette and are non-reactive with the concrete. This makes them easier to control during application and allows the contractor to create more intricate, artistic designs.
Once the concrete has been polished and sealed, it is important to keep the floors protected by a good maintenance program. The frequency of this maintenance will vary depending on the amount of traffic. The goal is to reduce dirt and grime build-up that can cause the concrete to lose its sheen and beauty.
Adding anti-slip grit to the final sealer coat is another way to increase traction on your newly-polished concrete. This product is simple to apply and doesn’t detract from the beautiful finish of the finished floor.
Staining
Concrete polishing is a multi-step mechanical process that elevates your floor’s aesthetics while improving its durability. It also allows for a wide variety of design options, including decorative aggregates and logos, scoring or engraving, or embedding. In addition to its beauty, polished concrete densifies the floor, which protects it from operational wear and tear and may reduce energy costs. It also eliminates dust release, which can prevent contamination of products and improves air quality in warehouses and other facilities.
Staining is one of the most important final steps in any concrete floor finishing project. It is a process that requires a great deal of experience and expertise. Choosing the right staining contractor is critical to getting the results you want, whether your goal is to create a stunning contemporary look, a traditional or rustic style, or something in between. The best way to find a contractor with the experience you need is to ask for references. Ask about previous jobs, the type of finish they provided, and whether or not they used a concrete staining system. A concrete staining system offers a step-by-step approach to applying the stain, which makes the job much easier for the applicator and helps ensure consistent color application.
There are many contractors in the concrete industry who claim to offer polished concrete services, but they don’t go through all of the necessary steps. As a shortcut, they may simply apply a clear sealer to the surface. This looks shiny at first, but it quickly wears off and exposes the underlying unpolished floor. You need a true polished concrete contractor who will use the full 10 stages of the process.
A good concrete polishing company will provide you with a detailed scope of work document before the project begins. This will allow you to understand the work they are performing and the responsibilities of everyone involved in the project. This will help avoid any misunderstandings about what needs to be done, and will also minimize the potential for problems during the project.
A quality concrete polishing company will provide a written contract that covers their fees and includes an estimated timeline for completion of the work. It should also include a warranty that covers workmanship and defects in the final product. The contractor should also provide a list of responsibilities that they are responsible for, such as protecting existing surfaces, keeping the work area clean and safe, and cleaning up afterward.
Sealing
Concrete Polishing Contractors will work on the surface of existing commercial concrete to achieve a variety of desired results. The quality of the concrete and its condition will largely impact the final results. Variables such as aggregate, color variations, miscellaneous contaminates, cracks, patterns left by previous floor coverings, stains, nail holes, patched areas, flatness, and more will influence the outcome. Concrete that is newly poured based on specifications designed for polished concrete will eliminate many of these variables and provide much more consistent results.
The first step in the concrete grinding process is to rough grind the surface of the concrete using a coarse diamond grit. The grinding level will vary, depending on the condition of the floor, but is generally between 25 and 80 grit. This initial rough grinding will expose the aggregate in the concrete, remove any paint or epoxy coatings and expose the original concrete texture.
Next, the concrete is finely ground with progressively finer diamond grits until the desired sheen and smoothness are achieved. The finer grits will also remove any imperfections in the concrete, such as pits or blemishes. Once the surface is smooth and free of blemishes, it will be ready to be sealed.
The final step in the polishing process is to apply a water-based concrete sealer. This sealer is sprayed onto the surface and spread evenly with an industrial microfiber mop. A thin layer of the sealer is then allowed to dry. This protects the concrete from damage, staining and wear.
A properly applied internal impregnating concrete sealer will not only create a durable, hard surface that resists stains and wear, but it will also help to minimize the amount of fluid absorption that can damage the concrete. This will significantly reduce the amount of maintenance needed over time.
Concrete floors that are polished and sealed provide a modern, attractive flooring solution that is highly functional. They are easy to sweep and mop, don’t give off dust, and have a natural look that is more durable than many other types of floor coverings. In addition, a properly polished concrete floor is safe for pedestrian traffic and requires no special footwear.
