Floor polishing has today become one popular option for floor hard surface flooring. Polished concrete’s beauty, longevity and minimal need for repairs make this choice beneficial for many real estate owners. However, it is possible to classify what gives the finishing, to be ideal and to need additional material, careful approach and special knowledge. The following part will detail five typical misunderstandings in concrete floor polishing and the corresponding solutions:
Skipping Surface Preparation
The most vital process that needs to be taken in floor polishing is the repair or preparation of the concrete floor surface. Some let this phase take a back seat and therefore do not invest much effort in it, making for a weak end product. It is fragile and should be cleaned before the polishing process begins while any cracks or other defects should be rectified. Failing to do so results in unequal finishing and short life spans of the flooring.
It is pertinent, therefore to ensure that the surface is free of any grime, oil or dirt because these will interfere with the bonding of the polishing agents. In addition, if there are previous coatings on the concrete surface, these have to be removed to allow the concrete to be polished.
Using the Wrong Grit
The grit of the pads used when polishing is also a matter of importance. A common mistake that most people who are new to the use of polishing pads make is choosing a pad that has a too-dense structure. The first step is with coarse paper to eliminate some roughness and then proceeding with successively finer papers to achieve that shiny look.
Usually, a sequence is 30-400, although this can change depending on the concrete surface and the required finish. Always remember: Thinking of the correct attitude as grit will help you avoid using time and effort in the future.
Ignoring the Moisture Content
Water is the main factor that affects concrete polishing; especially the moisture content of the concrete surface. In their analysis, many people fail to consider the need to inspect the levels of moisture before proceeding with the polishing process. This is common if there is high moisture content, they cause things like efflorescence or bubbling during the polishing process which undermines the surface finish.
It is also important to make sure that your concrete, is sufficiently dry before beginning by conducting a moisture test. This is important, especially for the regions that are characterized by high humidity or for new concrete in construction sites. If there is moisture it can be needed to wait some time and only then polish this surface.
Lack of Utilization of Densifiers
Densifiers are chemical solutions that increase the density and the hardness of polished concrete floors in Melbourne. One thing that most artisans overlook is the failure to use a densifier when polishing the surface. Densifiers simply embed and seal themselves within the concrete and hence refill those same voids, it not only reinforces the extra surface but also increases the shine.
It is important to note that a densifier should be applied at the right time when using the floor polished to make a big difference in the floor’s appearance and the service it will be able to give. When using the cleaner always make sure you do as directed by the manufacturer and ensure that the product has dried before proceeding with other activities.
Rushing the Process
Concrete polishing is not one of those things which can be done hastily. Some DIY enthusiasts or even professionals go wrong in a bid to try and hurry the process, and this can lower the quality of the outcome. Both stages of polishing are time-consuming and demand patience apart from the preparation and finishing steps.
There should be sufficient time for evaluation at each step. If there is a specific area that’s not shining as you want it to, do not make the common mistake of reducing the grit and trying again; instead, go over the area with another fine grit or repeat on the same grit. Failure to properly approach these steps results in a mediocre outcome that does not have longevity.
Conclusion
If you want to achieve great and eye-catching results in polishing the concrete floor, you ought to learn from these mistakes. Some of the properties of polishing include engaging the right grit, examination of moisture content, proper surface preparation, the use of densifiers, and the importance of doing it right. If you are a resident of Melbourne in need of quality polished floors consider trying to find polished concrete floors.
They appreciate the delicate process of treating concrete and they can be trusted to come up with this polished look. It is important to perform these listed common errors not to compromise the results and put adequate time and effort into seeing the polished concrete floor to its successful conclusion because the result offers longevity and high aesthetic value. If you are thinking of installing concrete, either for your home or business, the following information regarding the different concrete treatments available will be useful in helping you arrive at the optimum decision as to what will suit your building best.