As a property owner, it is up to you to take care of your investment and ensure that it is in good shape. Care usually includes fixing problems with the structure and not as much with the foundation or driveways. Experts recommend doing timely repairs and engaging an engineer/contractor to do the job right. The first step in the process is to look at and figure out the exact nature of the problem.
Once this has been figured out, the next step is to find the right concrete floor repair products to do the repairs. Repair concrete surfaces usually require the creation of a composite, slightly different from the original, along with an interface.
Selecting the right repair materials
There are checklists which not only describe the process but also provide a list of materials required to carry out repairs properly.
- “Owner Requirements” covers information such as the expected life, appearance, overall cost and how to structure the repairs.
- “Service Conditions” deals with items such as exposure to the elements, requirements related to load and chemicals that could affect the site of repair.
- “Application Conditions” covers the type of weather required to do the work, the direction of the cracks, access to the site requiring work and methods to be used.
Taking these into account will help in identifying what products are required for the job, to calculate the balance in costs, overall performance of products and associated risks. Keep in mind that the requirements will vary from project to project and specific features are primarily desired in repair materials. One of the most important is that the material is compatible with the substrate by being similar regarding flexibility, expansion properties, porosity (water absorption) and how much it can diffuse. Also, check for product durability. Repair products will be expected to adhere to a surface properly and have low shrinkage. Products should be picked based on climate so that the patches last a long time. A professional will be able also to answer the following questions:
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- Does a crack require bonding or be covered up?
- Are the cracks in the ceiling, walls or on the floor? Does mortar need to be liquid enough to be poured into the cracks?
- How much time will it take to achieve a good bond and required strength to last the desired duration?
- Should you use just repair products which are one component or two?
- How much will the material shrink? This is important as it will impact the area that has to be repaired and possibly the integrity of a structure.
- Weather should also be considered before picking repair materials. Extreme cold and heat play a critical role in the integrity of the patch.
In some cases, the best material is just concrete, of the best available quality. Good quality materials are now available on the market, thanks to technological advances. These include polymers which offer good quality bonding strength as well as durability. Selecting the right repair products may need a compromise after taking different factors into account. Manufacturers can be contacted for information on the right product for the job.