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Floor Prep

Floor or surface preparation is the process of treating the surface of a concrete base, either mechanically or chemically, in order to increase its adhesion to coatings. A well prepared surface is the most important function in the quality and performance of a finished concrete coating.

Surface & Floor Prep Includes

  • Filling joints

  • Patching or filling cracks

  • Floor leveling

  • Grinding out joints

  • Edge grinding

  • Cleaning and sealing

  • Hydraulic scraping

  • Concrete resurfacing

  • Removing loose debris around stem wall

Process

A surface preparation process is used for clearing a surface of any:

  • Pre-existing coatings

  • Surface imperfections

  • Residue

  • Organic matter

  • Oxidation

  • Other contaminants

  • Hydraulic scraping

Methods of surface preparation include:

  • Chemical cleaning (SSPC-SP1): Prior to using any method of surface preparation, it is essential to carry out chemical cleaning, which involves the removal of dirt, oil, grease and other foreign materials with organic solvents or detergents.

  • Tool cleaning: This involves two types - hand tool cleaning (SSPC-SP 2) and power tool cleaning (SSPC-SP 3). Loosely adhering mill scale, rust and old paint coatings may be removed from steel by hand wire brushing, sanding, scraping and chipping. However, these methods are incomplete, and always leave a layer of tightly adhering rust on the steel surface. Power tools include rotary wire brushes, sanding discs and needle guns. Power tool cleaning is in general more effective and less laborious than hand tool cleaning for the removal of loosely adhering mill scale, paint and rust.