If your concrete floors have seen better days, you don’t have to worry. A professional concrete floor restoration company like ACT Restoration can help!
Concrete can develop cracks, stains, spalling, or other problems due to wear and tear, moisture, exposure, and heavy loads. But you don’t have to get rid of your concrete floors in these cases – concrete floors can be repaired and saved to live several more decades with proper care.
Here’s a look at some common concrete floor problems and how professionals like ACT Restoration can fix them.
1. Cracked Concrete
Cracks in concrete can be caused by several factors, including:
- Shrinkage over time from curing
- Heavy loads that exceed floor capacity
- Soil movement or foundation settling
- Freeze-thaw cycles, causing expansion and contraction
Cracks are repaired a few different ways depending on the size and depth of the crack. For small cracks, we will use a flexible sealant made from epoxy or polyurethane to fill and bond the concrete.
For larger or widespread cracks, we may resurface the floor using a thin overlay to create a smooth, uniform surface. Concrete floors can also be ground down and repaired to avoid patching.
2. Stained Concrete
Concrete that has not been sealed is porous, which means it can absorb liquids like oil, grease, chemicals, water, and other liquids. Improper cleaning methods can also leave behind residue, causing stains on your floors.
The best way to repair stained concrete to deep clean and degrease the floor using specialized cleaners and power washing. Grinding and polishing can remove the stains completely and enhances the concrete’s finish. Finally, to avoid future staining, the floor can be stained or sealed to protect the concrete floor.
If there are very stubborn stains, a decorative stain can be applied to blend discoloration and hide the stain.
3. Spalling Concrete
Spalling concrete means that it is flaking or chipping. This can be caused by moisture infiltration from freeze-thaw cycles, weak concrete mixtures, or corrosion of the reinforced steel inside the concrete.
To repair spalling, ACT Restoration can provide surface patching with polymer-modified cement to bond with the existing concrete. Another method includes concrete resurfacing, where a new layer of concrete is laid over the existing floor.
Finally, sealing and waterproofing the floor can help prevent water damage in the future.
4. Broken Concrete Floor Joints
Floor joints in concrete are where sections of the floor come together, allowing the concrete floor to expand and contract without cracking. They are cut into the concrete floor immediately after placement and help protect the floor.
Sometimes, they can break or crack under heavy loads, improper joint installation, or thermal expansion and contraction causing too much stress.
To repair broken concrete floor joints, ACT Restoration can rebuild the damaged joints by cutting them out and refilling the area with epoxy-based mortar for reinforcement. A polyurethane or silicone joint sealant can be added to allow for movement without cracking as well.
Finally, joint armor and edge protection can be used in industrial settings to prevent further damage.
5. Leftover Adhesives
If your concrete floor previously had carpet or other flooring on top, sometimes glue or other adhesives can be left behind. Glue and adhesives are tough to remove from concrete floors, but it is entirely possible to save the floors.
In many cases, we can scrape as much adhesive off the floor as possible using specialized equipment. Afterwards, we can resurface the floor using the grind and seal or polishing methods, which will remove the remaining adhesives and leave a shining and smooth concrete floor.
There are several finishing options you can choose from, such as concrete polishing, stains, or dyes, which can bring out the beauty of your concrete floor.
Contact ACT Restoration to Save Your Concrete Floors!
Whether you have concrete floors in your home or business, they make great flooring options that are durable and versatile, with high potential for beauty and shine.
Common concrete floor problems are frustrating, but professionals like ACT Restoration can help repair your floors and extend the lifespan of your floor. We can help you keep your concrete floor function and visually appealing for decades to come.
ACT Restoration is your professional floor restoration solution in Andover, Minnesota. Our experienced team can handle whatever concrete floor concerns you have and leave you with a beautiful, shining floor. Check out our portfolio for examples of our amazing work!
Give us a call today at 763-432-3966 or request a free estimate online!