Even the sturdiest of materials can suffer from wear and tear, such as the case of concrete floors that, in the beginning, you would think to be indestructible. If you ignore even the most minor crack on your flooring, your home’s sale value will be affected. If you have a concrete floor on your porch or even in the inner part of your home, regularly checking them and fixing what needs fixing will save you a bigger problem in the long run.
Your home’s curb appeal will increase the appraised value of your home, so paying attention to your concrete driveway and other aspects of your home’s exterior will be an excellent preparation should you wish to sell your home.
Concrete floors that look weather-beaten and rustic are among the latest trends in home design today, but not cracked and stained ones. So, if you have a damaged concrete floor that needs repair or restoration, here are a few guidelines for you.
What Are The Steps To Take?
- Determine the cause of damage – You need to know what caused the damage to your concrete floor to understand how to avoid it the next time. It could be the severe cold when your home HVAC is not functioning correctly, a blunt force coming from a heavy object like a steel cabinet that doesn’t have a proper floor mount or an incorrect installation the first time the concrete was poured in your home.
- Evaluate the extent of the damage – If the damage is minor and can be fixed by a simple DIY, you may research it and purchase the materials you’ll need. But if the extent of the damage is beyond a do-it-yourselfer’s capability, you need to call the help of a professional. Pro Angle Concrete Contractors offer the best service in concrete repairs.
- Assess the solution offered by the contractor – Your contractor will lay out their plans, and if you’re agreeable to it, give them the time and space to do their job.
- Cure the repair – After applying the method used to repair the concrete, it’s crucial to let it cure well. Give the area the needed time to dry and cure to set correctly and be more resilient and good as new.
What Are The Types Of Repair Application Used?
- Latex Patching Product
For thin cracks measuring 1/4 to 2 inches deep, it’s crucial to cover them to prevent moisture from permeating and leading to further damage. Using a mason’s trowel or putty knife, force the latex patching product into the crack, then smooth the product level accurately to the top. Ensure that it’s flat and smooth since a rough patch may cause tripping once dry.
- Mortar Mix
For a more extensive and thicker crack measuring three inches deep, you may use a repair mortar mix or create one by mixing water, one part cement, and three parts masonry sand until thick. Like the latex patching product, use a mason’s trowel and putty knife and force the mortar mix all through the crack. Since this is a bigger crack, remove air pockets by pressing down firmly several times and smoothing the surface carefully. What’s different with this method is that after smoothing the surface, you have to cure it for two hours and cover the area with plastic sheeting to keep it moist. Wait for it to harden after a few days, sprinkling water under the cover every now and then.
- Resin Injection
By injecting the epoxy resin into the cracks, it can still be rebonded and become even more rigid and impact resistant. This application is relatively easy and would only need a few tools like the resin injector. It will take 12 hours to cure, and the crack in your concrete would disappear, and you wouldn’t even be able to tell that it was there in the first place.
- Stitching The Cracks
For concrete slabs that are separating, a more advanced technique needs to be applied. Stitching uses deformed tie bars grouted into holes drilled at a certain angle. The bars will anchor the slabs and keep them from moving. After holding the slabs with the bar, backfill material is poured to reinforce the area.
- Micro-topping
This method uses a concrete overlay to address discoloration and stains on concrete floors. It is a cement-based resurfacing coating that’s easy to apply and is fast drying. With micro-topping, your floor will be a blank canvass, and you can do with it as you wish.
Conclusion
Choosing a concrete floor for your home is a considerable investment and one that you expect to last your lifetime. But accidents and unfortunate events happen. It would be good to know that there is a solution for every concrete woe, and a concrete specialist will be available to lend you a hand.