There are lots of different buildings and facilities that have concrete floor coatings, and many of those floors may have an existing concrete floor coatings. Regardless of where it is, there will come a time when you have to assess whether or not that concrete floor is in need of any remedial work, which could include a repair, new finishing, or the application of a new coating.
The checks on concrete floors are necessary regardless of where they are, even if that is your garage at home. The last thing you want is for you to trip due to a cracked piece of concrete while carrying a container full of old oil, for example.
In retail, commercial, and industrial properties, the need for checks is even greater to the point of being a legal requirement with regards to the health and safety of employees and customers.
It could be an expensive day in court if someone sues you and your business due to an injury they received as a result of tripping on a damaged concrete floor that did not have a warning sign.
As well as health and safety reasons, a concrete floor can also be resurfaced in order to give the entire premises a fresh new look or to modernise it. Given the huge array of options that concrete floor paints and coatings now have in terms of colours and patterns, you should never be short of choices.
So, what are the warning signs that you should be looking for, that will indicate to you that it could be time for resurfacing, refinishing and for a new concrete floor coating to be applied? Here are three of the most common ones…
Pitting
Pitting occurs on a concrete floor as a result of heavy items landing on them. In particular, you may find pitting in a small area where the same impact has occurred many times over a period of weeks, months and even years.
These bumps and dents may initially be a small issue and no more than a blemish in terms of how the floor appears, but eventually, they will increase in size to become a noticeable eyesore, and worse, a considerable danger to those who walk across it.
Cracks
If the concrete floor was first laid poorly, cracks may have existed from the outset during the drying process. Small cracks need to be monitored but generally they are not a problem, especially in concrete floors located in industrial surroundings. Where they might be more of an issue is when they can be seen by customers and others visiting a commercial building.
Large cracks most certainly are a problem, and this is especially so when they appear to be widening or becoming deeper. This indicates a worsening and needs addressing, particularly if those cracks are in areas with high levels of walk-through traffic.
Flaking
Another sign that your concrete floor is in need of attention is when it starts to flake, or spall, as it is sometimes referred to. You can identify these when layers of concrete start flaking away to create an uneven surface and ever-increasing amounts of dust.
Whichever of these issues exist within your concrete floor, the key thing to note is that as long as you are proactive and arrange for a new concrete floor coating to be applied, they need not persist. These coatings not only give your concrete floor new levels of protection, but they can also make them look amazing.