Easier Repairs Selecting the correct process and products will help customers sign off on jobs.
By David Stephenson, Polished Concrete Consultants, LLC
Even with something as sturdy as polished concrete, the need for repair will eventually arise. Having issues addressed right away will help to avoid more costly damages from occurring. Repairs are tricky and oftentimes best left to the professionals. Whether doing it yourself or hiring to have repairs done, it is vital to address the issues right away.
All damages or problems generally fall into a few categories.
They can be caused by the decorative contractor, by other trades during construction or, in the case of remodels, by existing conditions that need to be addressed.
Color overspray, bleeds or incorrect colors are among those things most commonly repaired.
Self-inflicted problems
Damages caused by the polishing subcontractor are generally the easiest ones to fix, but they can be painful because there’s no one to charge back the time and materials spent on repairs. The most common mistakes are scratches from the grinding process, streaks or overspray from the application of colors, or issues related to edge grinding.
The only way to repair scratches is to physically remove them by regrinding. Color issues can be corrected by using bleach to kill the color, which will take the concrete back to gray. A dye can then be reapplied. To make it easier, reapply the dye from joint to joint as it’s sometimes hard to blend it in an area with no joints. Edge grinding issues are usually repaired by starting the grinding process over and working out the scratches.
What’s there to know about easy polished concrete flooring repairs for Florida businesses?
One thing that seems to bite contractors whenever it comes to these types of repairs involves the application of stain protection. When stain protection is applied, it makes performing any repairs much harder. You should review the floor in phases to note potential repair areas prior to installing stain protection. Repairs that are done prior to stain protection generally take about half the time to correct.
What if stain protection has been applied?
If stain protection has already been applied, don’t make the mistake of attempting to grind it off. You will almost certainly have to drop to 100-grit resin or lower to get below the stain protection. First, attempt to chemically remove the product without affecting your mechanical polish. Most major chemical manufacturers offer a “stain protection stripper” that works with their product. If you chemically remove the stain protection, you’ll find the repair much easier to accomplish.
Painters are responsible for the most damage to completed polished floors.
Carpet glue causes issues that require repair.
The culprit: Other Trades
On most new construction projects, I see polished concrete damaged by other trades. Painters, carpet installers or men on lifts are the usual culprits. The ensuing repairs are normally charged as change orders to the GC, who back-charges the subcontractor responsible.
Generally, paint can be corrected by first scraping it off and then lightly regrinding the surface to bring back the shine.
Smeared carpet glue can usually be corrected easily by removing the transition strip separating the carpet and concrete, scraping off the glue and then lightly polishing the area. Chips are the hardest to repair but I’ve had success installing color-matched grout fill products and then repolishing the area.
All three of these types of repairs are best made before any application of a stain protection product. It’s in your best interest to hold off on the application as long as you can and when polishing is 100 percent complete.
After stain protection is applied?
I ask contractors we work with to take copious photos of each phase of the project. If the damage is done later, pictures will help get customers or contractors to approve change orders for repair. When damage is caused by someone other than the decorative contractor, the GC will work with you to manage the customer’s expectations. I always recommend doing a sample of your repair so the owner has a very clear understanding of what you are proposing to install.
Existing underlayments must be removed and holes repaired with a material that will hold up to traffic.
Trenches can be rough and unpolishable.
No matter what you are dealing with concerning polished concrete repair we can help! We have professional and knowledgeable staff standing by to assist you. Please do not hesitate to contact us through the website link, give us a call at (941) 721-4900 or email us at michael@southlandcreations.com for your free quote. We offer easy polished concrete flooring repairs for Florida businesses and are standing by to answer any questions that you may have.