Concrete floors and subfloors can be repaired using one of three common methods. All of these involve covering the existing concrete slab with a new layer of concrete or a concrete-like cover and finishing the new layer as desired. These methods can be used on interior and exterior surfaces and are intended for surface restoration only; they are not suitable for repairing major cracks or other structural problems in existing concrete slabs. The first step in repairing a concrete floor is to prepare the surface.
Using a small brush, cover the surface of the crack with a thin layer of adhesive for gluing concrete. Allow the adhesive to dry completely; you'll know it's dry when it changes from an off-white liquid to a clear coat. Make sure that the bonding liquid in the depths of the crack has dried completely. This can take at least an hour. The next step is to apply a patch mix, which is made of vinyl, Portland cement and sand.
This covers cracks up to Â1⁄2 inch wide. Dampen the area around the crack, and then apply a trowel over the mixture. Smooth the surface with a trowel or small float. If the concrete floor being repaired is bulging, has large or wide cracks, or is damaged due to frost damage, other alternatives should be considered instead of resurfacing. Stamped concrete surface treatments have been widely used for exterior surfaces, but recently they have also become popular for interior floors.
These minor problems are completely natural and generally do not indicate any structural problems that require major repaving or repair. Reclamation has a large inventory of aged concrete that is experiencing deterioration resulting in cracking or exacerbated by cracking. In some circumstances, fine repairs can lead to accelerated deterioration behind or next to the repair. Typical examples of coarse-grained repairs include replacement concrete, pre-laid aggregate concrete, shotcrete, and silica fume concrete. In general, thick repairs refer to repairs that are approximately 3 inches thick and that completely encompass at least some reinforcing steel of the existing structure. Unused dry mix should be stored in a dry place, as exposed concrete mix can absorb moisture from the air and spoil unless protected.
As a first step to increasing the likelihood of a successful repair, it is essential to use a consistent and systematic approach to concrete repair. Resin injection is used to repair cracked or delaminated concrete, as well as to seal cracks or joints in concrete that is experiencing water leaks. Self-leveling treatments can be applied to most concrete floors and are thick enough to help correct uneven surfaces and relatively deep surface damage. Small repair projects can be carried out using caulking cartridge-type equipment and several companies manufacture their products in cartridges for such an application. Patterned concrete provides a durable, low-cost solution, offering a wide range of colors and patterns to choose from. Temperature changes, heavy weights, and falling objects can damage the concrete floor by causing cracks and holes.
Despite their apparent hardness, concrete slabs are more porous than thought and, over time, water can seep into the slab and cause more cracks to form. In conclusion, repairing a concrete floor requires careful preparation of the surface before applying patch mix or other materials. It is important to use consistent and systematic approach when repairing concrete floors in order to ensure successful results. Resin injection is also an effective method for repairing cracked or delaminated concrete.
