What Concrete Surface Profile Is Needed for Floor Coatings to Bond Properly?
A floor coating can be expensive, durable, and designed for demanding conditions, but none of that matters if it cannot bond to the concrete underneath. Long before the epoxy, polyaspartic, urethane, or other coating goes down, the concrete itself has to be prepared to the right texture. That texture is known as the concrete surface […]
Why Might Concrete Appear Red or Chalky Under an Old Floor Leveling Layer?
Removing an old floor can bring a few surprises. One of the stranger ones happens when the leveling compound starts coming up and the surface underneath looks red, pink, orange, or unusually chalky. Run a hand across it and you may even come away with powder on your fingers. So, why might concrete appear red […]
How Do You Fix a Garage Floor That Has a Dip, Step, or Differential Settlement?
Walk across an older garage, and you may notice something doesn’t feel quite right. One section sinks slightly underfoot. Two parts of the slab meet at different heights. You may notice a ridge where one side of a crack sits higher than the other. These problems are easy to lump together as an “uneven floor,” […]
Is It Possible to Correct Garage Floor Slope Without Replacing the Slab?
A garage floor that slopes the wrong way can become annoying fast. Water may collect along a wall instead of heading toward the garage door. Cabinets wobble. A workbench never seems to sit quite right. In some cases, an uneven surface can even complicate plans for a new epoxy or polyaspartic coating. That leads to […]
Can Self-Leveling Underlayment Survive Vehicle Traffic When Used to Smooth a Garage Spot Repair?
You have one bad spot in an otherwise usable garage floor. Maybe there is a dip where water collects, a rough patch left from an old repair, or a low area that you would like to smooth before coating the floor. Using self-leveling underlayment seems like an easy fix. Pour it into the low spot, […]
What Is the Best Way to Remove Adhesive Residue From Concrete Before Coating?
Pull up old carpet, vinyl, VCT, or another glued-down floor, and you may discover that removing the flooring was the easy part. What remains can look like streaks of hardened glue, gummy patches, dark mastic, or a thin film that seems permanently attached to the slab. If you’re applying a new epoxy, polyaspartic, or other […]
Can Floor Protection Paper Leave Stains or Stripes in Concrete?
Can floor protection paper leave stains or stripes in concrete? Yes. The wrong paper, non-breathable tape, plastic-backed protection, wrinkles, or overlapping seams can restrict moisture loss unevenly and create dark or light areas, or straight lines that follow the pattern of the covering. In our experience, floor protection is part of the finishing job when […]
Can You Remove or Re-Grind a Thick Self-Leveling Pour Without Damaging Radiant Heat Tubing?
Can you remove or re-grind a thick self-leveling pour without damaging radiant heat tubing? Absolutely, but only after confirming the tubing location, depth, and condition. Grinding down an excessive underlayment might be possible with careful work, while aggressive removal may poke a hole through a hydronic line and turn a leveling issue into an extensive […]
When Should You Use Sand Topping Mix Versus Concrete Patch on Basement Floors?
When should you use sand topping mix versus concrete patch on basement floors? Use sand topping mix for larger repairs or when adding buildup over a broad area. Use concrete patch when repairing shallow damage, feathering edges, filling chips and divots, or making localized corrections. That is the simple answer, but you can’t choose the […]
Is Wet Grinding Safe Before Epoxy, or Does It Increase the Risk of Delamination?
If you are having a concrete floor prepared for epoxy coating and are wondering, “Is wet grinding safe before epoxy, or does it increase the risk of delamination?” You’re not alone. Wet grinding can be safe before epoxy as long as the area is completely cleaned and dried before the epoxy is installed. Leaving moisture, […]