Concrete is strong, durable and can be molded into different shapes and sizes. But at the same time it also possesses some drawbacks. Concrete floors stains quite easily and is prone to crackling, settling, crumbling and heaving when exposed to the elements.
It tends to develop cracks and chips due to shifting of ground or moisture. Repairing should be done as soon as possible otherwise delaying will cause further wear and tear causing the cracks to expand. Open cracks can be an eyesore for your otherwise beautiful house. But the good thing is that you don’t need to call an expert to repair the flooring. You can do it yourself by just following some easy steps given below.
Difficulty Level:Moderate
Things You Will Need:
1. Concrete filler
2. Concrete bonding adhesive
3. Latex Bonding agent
4. Clean water
5. Concrete tools (Chisel and hammer)
6. Hand roller
7. Mortar
9. Wire brush
10. Vacuum cleaner
11. Concrete Sealer(water based polyurethane)
Steps you’ll need to follow:
1. Take necessary precautions: Wear gloves and boots before starting the repair work as you’ll be dealing with sand, Portland cement and other material which can cause rashes on your skin. Wear eye protection and a dust mask as eyes and nose are sensitive organs of our body and demands extra protection.
2. Clean the floor: Before starting the repair work, ake sure that no oil or dirt should be there on the floor. If some grease is there, use a cleaner to cut the grease. Use a wire brush to clean the crack so as to remove any loose debris.
3. Clean the crack: Pick chisel in one hand, hammer in other and start cleaning the crack. Get rid of any large pieces, flakes and loose concrete present. Start hammering the chisel to make the crack bigger in order to identify the actual range of the crack. This process is called ‘keying’ and it helps the new material to bond well with the old crack. Again vacuum the crack to get rid of debris.
4. Prepare concrete patch: Rinse the cracked area using a garden hose. If you are using concrete filler then, very neatly fill the crack with one layer of the filler. If cracks are deeper in some place then wait for half an hour and apply another coat of it. If you are doing it by sand packing method then, apply a coat of concrete bonding adhesive on the cracked surface and let it dry completely. Then apply a mixture of mortar and latex bonding agent. Smooth the surface with the help of a hand roller.
5. Allow it to dry: Allow the filler to dry as per the duration recommended on the manufacturer’s label. Check the crack again to see if another patch is required.
6. Seal the patch: After patching, seal the concrete by using water-based polyurethane. Concrete easily absorb stains and sealing will prevent it. As polyurethane dries quickly, after a few hours you can apply another coat. If the patch is in heavy traffic area, apply three to four coats. To even the patch with rest of the surface, move a hand roller over it.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How can I remove stains from my concrete floor?
A. Scrub the stains with detergent using a nylon based scrub brush and wash the the area with water.Let the patch dry completely as standing water can creates crack in the floor.
2. There are some scratches on my concrete floor. How can I remove them?
A. Regrind your surface in order to bring it back to its original condition. Go over the surface several times using a grit diamond encrusted grinding pads. It will remove scratches from the surface and will make it shine too.
Quick tips:
1. Standing water is one of most common cause of cracks in floors. So don’t let water standing on the floor for a long time as it will lead to seepage creating a crack.
2. Make a paste of cement and sand so as to finish the entire patch at one time.
3. Use a cardboard box or something similar to protect the repaired patch from direct sunlight.
4. Never use paint thinner to remove stains present on concrete floor. It will carry oil, paint and asphalt deeper into the floor’s surface.
Things to watch out for:
1. Never add any household bleach with cleaners or detergents as it will produce toxic chlorine gas, which can be proved harmful if inhaled.
