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Concrete Surface Preparation Services

A concrete subfloor needs to be prepared and primed before any treatment can be applied to it. If you want to add stains, etching, or polish to the floor, the surface must be without cracks and flaws, because stains will only emphasize them. At The Floor Company, we offer comprehensive concrete surface preparation services that will ensure any finish you apply shines and looks perfect.

Ways to Prepare a Concrete Surfacethe floor company ottawa concrete surface preparation services

We use many different tools and prepare the concrete surface and our process depends on the condition of the floor. The first thing we do is inspect the concrete for cracks, water damage, and weak spots. Our experts will recommend a preparation method only after they’ve surveyed the floor thoroughly; these are the different methods used:

  • Diamond Grinding – If your floor doesn’t have any visible cracks, we can use the diamond grinding process to polish it and make sure the surface is even. We can change the grinding grits during the process to add more polish to the floor and bring it to a glossy sheen. This technique is often used to remove old coatings and glue.
  • Shot Blasting – This is a very commonly used technique to clean and prepare an old concrete floor. During this process, the shot blasting machine shoots tiny steel beads at the floor that blast the surface and make it even and clean. It’s great for removing glue and concrete sealer and will create a textured surface ideal for thick epoxy coatings.
  • Scraping and Stripping – This technique is used to manually remove carpets, vinyl, tile, wood, and other such flooring materials. We use scraping blades and similar tools to ensure the concrete surface is completely ready for other treatments. This speeds up the process of removing old flooring materials.
  • Scarifying – This is one of the most versatile techniques to prepare different kinds of surfaces, including concrete, steel, and asphalt. It’s dust-free and will remove all kinds of grease, oils, and debris from the surface easily.

These techniques are highly effective and will ensure that your concrete floor is ready for stains, coating, or seals.

For information on concrete surface preparation or to get an estimate, you can contact us at The Floor Company. If you’re calling from Ottawa and surrounding areas, dial 1800 461 3121. If you’re calling from Kingston, Belleville, Peterborough and Durham, dial 1877 277 9877. You can also email us at info@thefloorcompany.com or fill in this contact us form

 

The Floor Company

Address: 1117 Newmarket Street, Unit B, Ottawa, ON K1B 4N4

What is The Difference Between Concrete And Cement?

The words concrete and cement are often used interchangeably but most people don’t realize that there are a number of significant differences between them. Our experts at The Floor Company have put together a brief explanation of the two terms to help you understand what they are and how they function.

What is Cement?

Consider the word cement for a moment, and think of what it means. It means to bind or unite something and that’s an appropriate name for the material. Cement is essentially a binder. It has been around for over a thousand years and has been used as a building construction material for a long time.

polished concrete floor ottawa

This binding agent is rarely used on its own and is often combined with sand, gravel, or other such substances. In a mix, the cement binds all other materials together and makes the overall solution stronger. Today, there are two types of cement available in the market- Hydraulic and Non-Hydraulic.

The former is more popular and slightly more expensive as well. It’s called hydraulic because it uses water to trigger the binding chemical reaction and harden. This material will become water-resistant after it’s dry. On the other hand, non-hydraulic cement is more affordable but not as efficient or durable.

What is Concrete? 

Concrete isn’t a binding agent and is considered a finished material. It contains a significant amount of cement in it, along with sand, small rocks, and gravel. Cement works to bind these materials together and ensure the concrete dries down to a solid, resilient substance.

Concrete is essentially a mixture of 60% to 70% aggregate, some water, and some cement. It’s used in roads, flooring, pathways, patios, buildings, sports fields, and other such structures. The composition of concrete depends on the kind of finish and resilience you require.

If you want to install a concrete floor, you might want to choose larger aggregates to ensure the design of the floor pops. So, cement is present in concrete, but the two of them aren’t the same materials and they serve different purposes too.

For information on concrete flooring or to get an estimate, you can contact us at The Floor Company. If you’re calling from Ottawa and surrounding areas, dial 1800 461 3121. If you’re calling from Kingston, Belleville, Peterborough and Durham, dial 1877 277 9877. You can also email us at info@thefloorcompany.com or fill in this contact us form.

The Floor Company

Address: 1117 Newmarket Street, Unit B, Ottawa, ON K1B 4N4

Polished Concrete and Grinding – What You Need to Know

Concrete is a very durable, low-maintenance, and versatile flooring option. Until recently, it was considered by some to be dull and boring. While it was often used in commercial or industrial applications, concrete floors were rarely found in homes and offices. Thanks to the evolution of finishing technology, this trend has changed.concrete slab resurfacing

Now the polish concrete and grinding process provides excellent floors that add to the beauty of any property. At The Floor Company, we’ve seen an increase in the popularity of concrete, because people prefer low-maintenance but attractive floors.

Levels of Polish

The polished concrete and grinding process will remove the topmost layer of concrete to get the best finish. Because of this, it’s possible to polish old concrete and get good results. However, a professional would still assess the condition of the floor thoroughly before they polish it. The process depends largely on the kind of finish you want. There are four different levels of polish and they include:

  • Flat – This requires less than 100-grit resin bond and the result is hazy but clean. There’s no clarity or reflection.
  • Satin – This requires 400-grit resin bond and gives you a low, soft sheen that looks like satin. You might see some reflection and clarity, but it’s still slightly hazy and matte.
  • Semi-Polished This requires 800-grit diamond abrasive and gives a muted shine to the surface. The floor will reflect light well and there will be come clarity. The floor looks clean but doesn’t have a completely mirror-like finish.
  • High Gloss – This is the final level of gloss and requires up to 3,000-grit resin bond diamond or high speed burnisher. The floor will have near-total clarity with a mirror finish and high reflectivity. This is a very glossy floor but it looks stunning under the right light.

The Process

  • We grind the surface roughly to remove any dents and unevenness from it. 
  • Our experts will then use progressively finer grit-polishing grits to achieve the desired level of polish.
  • During the process, we apply impregnating sealer that sinks into the concrete, hardens the surface and densifies it. This allows us to grind it without causing any damage.

For information on polished concrete and grinding or to get an estimate, you can contact us at The Floor Company. If you’re calling from Ottawa and surrounding areas, dial 1800 461 3121. If you’re calling from Kingston, Bellevielle, Peterborough and Durham, dial 1877 277 9877. You can also email us at info@thefloorcompany.com or fill in this contact us form

Concrete Floor Crack Repair Techniques that Work 

the floor company ottawa Concrete Floor Crack Repair Techniques that Work 

It’s not that difficult to repair a concrete floor. In fact, concrete is a popular flooring choice because it’s easy to repair and maintain. You can handle small repairs as a DIY project and fix the problem in a single day. At The Floor Company, we’ve listed some concrete floor repair techniques that work really well and can be done easily. All you need to do is follow the right steps.

Fixing Concrete Cracks

Cracks on the concrete surface can look unsightly and messy. Fortunately, they’re very easy to fix and the floor can be made to look as good as new. Here are the steps to deal with the problem:

  • Remove the debris in and around the cracks as much as possible.
  • For narrow cracks, you can fill the gap with masonry crack filler or a patching compound.
  • For wide cracks, you need to chisel around the crack and widen it. Make sure to use the uncut method to keep the crack wide at the base and narrow at the surface.
  • After the crack is open, clean it thoroughly before you apply a vinyl patching mixture and pack it into the crack carefully.
  • Once the surface is completely level, add finishing touches to make it match the surrounding concrete.

Edges and Corners 

It’s not uncommon for corners of concrete flooring or or edges to chip off. You can repair this problem easily as well.

  • Chisel the area around the damaged edge or corner with the undercut method.
  • Clean the surface and remove any loose portions of concrete.
  • Wash the area to ensure the concrete is wet and clean.
  • Place planks of wood along the edge and secure them in place with bricks or heavy objects. Make sure the wood is flush against the concrete edge.
  • Mix the vinyl patching compound and pack it into the gap between the wood and damaged concrete and tamp it down to remove air pockets.
  • Let the patching compound set a little and then finish the surface to look like the surrounding concrete.

As you can see, some concrete repairs are very simple to do. For information on concrete garage floors or to get an estimate, you can contact us at The Floor Company. If you’re calling from Ottawa and surrounding areas, dial 1800 461 3121. If you’re calling from Kingston, Belleville, Peterborough and Durham, dial 1877 277 9877. You can also email us at info@thefloorcompany.com or fill in this contact us form

 

The Floor Company

Address: 1117 Newmarket Street, Unit B, Ottawa, ON K1B 4N4

4 Most Common Causes of Damaged Concrete Flooring

Concrete is a very resilient flooring material. It can bear a considerable amount of wear and tear. It’s low maintenance and can come in a variety of forms and designs. But it’s not perfect. Concrete, while resilient, comes with its set of problems. These problems can turn something pretty and alluring into a mess. At The Floor Company, we have found that some problems are more common than others. These are listed below:custom concrete floors polished concrete

Cracks 

This is the most common problem with concrete. It’s especially true for the poured-in concrete floor. Like several materials, concrete expands and contracts on the basis on temperature variations. If the variance is extreme, the concrete is liable to crack. Concrete can also crack if the ground underneath it isn’t even.

There are several reasons behind cracks but repairing them is usually easy. Most cracks are just on the surface, though some can be a symptom of deeper structural problems. You need to inspect the crack thoroughly to avoid future problems. 

Dusting

 If you spot a fine layer of dust on your concrete floor, you face a problem called dusting. This is essentially concrete particles that haven’t mixed in with the rest of the material completely. This can happen if there’s too much water in the mixture or not enough cement on the surface.

High traffic areas are more prone to dusting than other places. To avoid this, the concrete should be allowed to cure completely during the installation process. You also need to ensure that the mixture of cement, aggregate, and water is ideal for proper curing.

Spalling or Scaling

 If you notice a white, flaky patch on your concrete floor, you should immediately call a professional. This is a sign of scaling. While sometimes scaling is just a cosmetic problem, it can also result from structural damage. If a professional looks at it, they’ll be able to determine if it’s just a problem with the surface or something more serious. Scaling should be addressed as quickly as possible because there’s always a chance that large chunks of concrete will separate from the surface.

Corroded Concrete from Winter Salt

 The City of Ottawa has switched to a new chemical base for it’s road salts in recent years. The result is less corrosion to our cars but more to concrete. With our concrete systems you can protect your concrete as well as repair damage previously done. 

For more information on concrete flooring damage or to get an estimate, you can contact us today.

 

The Floor Company

Address: 1117 Newmarket Street, Unit B, Ottawa, ON K1B 4N4

When To Use Self-Levelling Concrete

There are few instances more frustrating than when the renovation of a structure with concrete floors is underway, and then you find out that the flooring surface is either pitted or out of level.

In most circumstances, a general contractor will simply trowel conventional concrete or grout from a bag mix onto a rough surface to smooth it out or add too much water and pour the concrete to level it. This may look fine at first, however, concrete doesn’t bond well to existing concrete without a massive amount of effort put into surface preparation and failure of the new surface is guaranteed over time.When To Use Self-Levelling Concrete

A little-known secret is that epoxy is actually a much better bond maker with concrete than with concrete itself. Epoxy can be used to prime a concrete slab to prepare it for a concrete patch or self-levelling concrete.

First, the surface is prepared via grinding or shot blasting, depending on the level of damage that currently exists within the floor. Then, 100% solids epoxy is squeegeed onto the floor and sand is thrown into the wet coating until rejection. (Definition: “Until rejection” means the surface is completely over saturated with sand and you can no longer see the epoxy.) This creates a nice rough surface for the new layer of concrete to adhere to. It also provides a built-in vapor barrier.

If the surface being repaired is to be a wear layer or a surface that will receive no further flooring of any kind, then an epoxy based, rather than concrete based, self-leveller can be specified. Epoxy based self-levellers are similar to the epoxy primer described above, in the way they bond, however instead of broadcasting sand into a primer, the applicator will mix smaller sized sand with epoxy and pour it onto the floor. This will result in a level, smooth, visually appealing and contamination resistant surface. Not only that, this type of self-leveller is more impact resistant than concrete versions.

Self-levelling concrete is better suited to areas that need to be levelled or smoothed to prepare it for further flooring such as hardwood, linoleum, tile or other traditional flooring types.

The key thing to remember here is that when levelling out old concrete floors, the most important thing is to prepare the surface and remove contamination. Without this necessary step, your efforts will most likely be in vain.

Contact a qualified flooring contractor today to have your concrete slab evaluated and a system specified.

How Long Does It Take to Polish a Concrete Floor?

Polished concrete floors are fast becoming a popular flooring option in commercial and residential properties. Concrete is certainly more resilient than most other flooring materials available today. It is also low maintenance so you don’t need to worry about doing more than an occasional mopping to maintain its looks.Polished Concrete Floors Ottawa

The polishing time depends entirely on what level of polish you want, the size of the floor, and the obstructions. Here’s a look at what’s involved in the polishing process.

The Polishing Process

There are four different levels of polish, from satin-like finish to very high-gloss. To attain different finishes, we use progressively finer grinders. Needless to say, the lower levels of polish take less time. However, the process is the same.

  • Step One – We start by using coarse diamond and metallic matrix grinders. These are enough to remove any kind of blemish, stains, small pits, coatings etc. This process essentially prepares the floor for further polishing.
  •  Step Two – During this process, we use grinders with diamond abrasives in resin or plastic matrix. Depending on the level of polish we need, we use increasingly finer grits to achieve the task. For high gloss finish, most contractors will use 1500 or finer grit.
  • Step Three – During the polishing process, we also apply internal impregnating sealer to the floor. This penetrates the concrete surface and protects it. It also densifies and hardens it, making the surface more resilient. The hardened surface doesn’t need much maintenance.

What Tools Are Used? 

The polishing process is achieved through a machine with different levels of grinding grits. The process is quite akin to sanding wood; for more shine, finer sandpaper is used.

Accordingly, for the first step, about 16-20 grit is used to remove any coating, and to level the surface. Then we move from one level of grit to other. After the surface is polished with a 150-grit, a chemical hardener is added to the floor.

After that progressively finer grits are used to achieve the desired levels of gloss. Depending on the area, the level of polish, and the obstacles, the polishing can take upwards of 2 to 3 days. However, you can use the surface immediately after the polishing is done.

For more information on polished concrete, or to get an estimate, you can contact us at The Floor Company. If you’re calling from Ottawa and surrounding areas, dial 1800 461 3121. If you’re calling from Kingston, Belleville, Peterborough and Durham, dial 1877 277 9877. You can also email us at info@thefloorcompany.com or fill in this contact us form.

 

The Floor Company

Address: 1117 Newmarket Street, Unit B, Ottawa, ON K1B 4N4