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 Surface
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
