Dangers of Cracks in Concrete Floors
Cracked concrete floors pose a safety risk, potentially resulting in trips and falls. These mishaps can cause serious injury or even death. Cracked floors, in addition to being a tripping hazard, detract from the curb appeal of your home or office. Have you allowed these flaws to fester for too long? Repair them as soon as possible because a small problem today has the potential to grow larger and more difficult or expensive to repair later. Here's a simple three-step method for doing so:
- Choice of the right product for use in the concrete repair
Keep in mind that concrete cannot be used to repair floors or surfaces. Repairing concrete cracks necessitates the use of concrete repair mix, which can be purchased locally or online.
Epoxy compounds, latex patching material, and mortar mixes are all options for concrete repair mixes. Motor mixes are ideal for filling large cracks or chipped edges, such as those found in the cracked commercial kitchen flooring. If your cracks are a quarter-inch wide or less, epoxy compounds and latex-patching materials will suffice.
- Preparation of the cracked area of the concrete for patching
After you've decided on the best product to use in repairing your cracked concrete, the next step is to prepare the cracked area for patchwork. This entails using a small hammer and chisel in tandem to remove any cracked, crumbled, or loose concrete in the affected area.
Chip the area to a depth of about one inch below the plane's surface. Once this is completed successfully, thoroughly rinse the area by scrubbing it with a wire brush. This aids in the removal of loose or lingering particles.
Always keep in mind that this is dusty work when preparing the cracked area. As a result, it is advised that you spread a tarp beneath the work area to effectively manage the dust. Wear appropriate protective gear while preparing the cracked concrete floor area.
- Fix the cracked concrete floor area using your product of choice
As previously stated, if the crack is a quarter-inch or less in width, use an epoxy or latex patching product mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions. This is accomplished by using a mason's trowel or a putty knife. You should push the product all the way into the crack, then smooth it out until it reaches a noticeable level with the surrounding concrete.
If you have a trowel with concrete or quartz or a trowel on epoxy flooring, use wet epoxy mixed with concrete or quartz and apply the epoxy by hand with a trowel. A power trowel can be used to cover large areas, such as cracked commercial kitchen flooring. The trowel method usually results in slightly smoother finished floors due to the edge of the trowel applying the epoxy motor.
Always use a mortar mix if there are large imperfections in the concrete, which is common on commercial kitchen floors. Flooring Installers Milwaukee and Armstrong Commercial Flooring both recommend making your own mix. They claim that making their own mix is as easy as mixing one part troweled concrete, three parts masonry sand, and just enough water to make a thick paste. Following the mixing, the mortar mixture is applied with a mason's trowel or a putty knife.
When repairing a cracked concrete area, always take care to eliminate air pockets in the applied mix by pressing down firmly on the applied product. Also, smooth the patch to make it flush with the surrounding concrete. Allow it to cure for about two hours, and then cover the area with plastic sheeting to keep it moist. Sprinkle water under the plastic on a daily basis for a few days, or until the surface hardens.
Get Help With Repair of Cracks in Concrete
If you require help to repair cracks in concrete, assistance with commercial kitchen flooring, Armstrong commercial flooring, or trowel on epoxy flooring or would like to benefit from the services of trusted flooring installers Milwaukee, I.C.E Flooring experts can help you with the best commercial flooring contractors. All you have to do is call them at 608-470-8777 at any time, or click here to learn how the installation will go smoothly and quickly, resulting in increased durability and versatility for your concrete floors.
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