SIX STEPS TO SUCCESS
Watco, UK direct supplier of industrial strength flooring products, gives tips on concrete resurfacing at your facility.
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1. Clean your concrete — having a clean surface free of debris and dirt will go a long way towards making your resurface project go smoothly. It will help your concrete resurfacer bond more strongly with the existing concrete surface. You may need to buy or rent a power washer for this important step; if so, be sure to wear protective glasses to avoid eye injury. If your floor has mildew or algae, you’ll need to use a concrete wash to get it completely clean. Some products, such as Flowtop Concrete Resurfacer, require only sweeping with a stiff broom.
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2. Tape over any existing control joints and any other contiguous surfaces: these keep your floor from cracking in random places due to stress, so if your floor has them, be sure not to fill them in with your concrete resurfacing products. You can also stuff them with a foam weather stripping product to keep them from being filled in with your resurfacer.
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If your floor becomes dry after washing and before you’re ready to begin resurfacing, dampen it again. Having a slightly damp floor surface will improve the adhesion of your concrete resurfacer. You should make sure, however, that there is no standing water before your start your project.
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4. Apply your primer — this step will differ depending on your chosen concrete resurfacer. We’ll use Flowtop Concrete Resurfacer as our example here. The product comes with two primers, the first of which should be applied with a brush and can be left overnight to dry if you have
the time. You can apply the second primer either after the first has totally dried or while it is still tacky. For both primers, be sure to spread them evenly and avoid ponding. Use only enough to apply a thin film, as too much can spread through the resurfacer and lead to problems if you plan to paint your floor later.
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5. Mix and apply your concrete resurfacer – begin mixing as soon as you’ve applied your second primer. It’s best to mix and use a whole batch of resurfacer at once rather than attempting to split it into more than one use. After it has been mixed, you must use it immediately; the product cannot be saved for later.
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6. Empty the resin into a bucket and add the powder, using a slow speed drill with a mixing blade to make sure you get a consistent mix. Continue this for 3-5 minutes until you get a creamy consistency and an even-looking colour. Pour the mixture onto the existing concrete surface and spread with a trowel to even it out. Next, use a spiked roller to release any air that might be trapped and make sure that your surface will look smooth and clean. Do this across the whole floor 3 or 4 times in different directions. Take care to finish this step no later than 20 minutes after application to avoid leaving marks on your new floor when it starts to cure.
Once your new concrete surface is fully cured, you’re ready to apply your chosen industrial floor coating to get the look you want for your new floor.
www.watco.co.uk
30 | FLOOR FINISHES & MAINTENANCE
www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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