Preparing for Floor Coatings
With over two decades of experience in concrete service, we have perfected a meticulous process that ensures every floor we coat receives a flawless finish. Our step-by-step approach guarantees outstanding results for all our valued customers in eastern Wisconsin. Here’s a glimpse into how we transform your floors with our premium polyurea coating.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Floor Preparation
We often get asked why concrete needs to be prepared for coatings. The goal of this process is to ensure the concrete is completely flat, clean, and has a scratch pattern for the coating to bond to.
Before we can get started, all we need you to do is clear your concrete floor of any possessions, vehicles, or other objects that are currently taking up space.
Once your concrete is cleared off, our team gets to work on prep. This includes:
01
Grinding the Concrete Surface
We use a diamond-bit Lavina grinder to create a coarse and porous surface as well as to remove any weak or deteriorated concrete. Our grinders feature three grinding wheels that work in unison to open the pores of your concrete. We will also use hand grinders to prepare detailed areas and vertical surfaces.
Containing the Concrete Dust
Each of the grinders is used with a high-powered vacuum to contain dust created by the grinding. This ensures the area stays clean.
02
Removing all Contaminants
Concrete can absorb contaminants such as oil, grease, and gas when they are spilled on its surface. Grinding usually removes surface contaminants, but in instances where they have penetrated deeper, we use a degreaser to lift oil from the concrete. Our Fortress coatings have also been formulated with an oil base so even if the oil cannot be fully removed, the coating will still bond appropriately.
03
Removing the Latent Layer
The main purpose of grinding the surface of your concrete is to remove the latent layer that formed when the slab was originally curing. This layer has minimal pores and is the weakest layer of the concrete, making it vital to remove before coating the slab. The latent layer is about 1/16th of an inch thick, so we’ll grind to that depth in order to remove it fully.
04
Once your floors are complete, our team will also provide you with a care guide to help you keep your floors looking flawless, forever.
In addition, all of our coatings come with a 15-year warranty, ensuring peace of mind for your investment.