5 Critical Steps for Concrete Floor Preparation and Care

blog 09 Oct 2023

Concrete floors are an attractive and sustainable flooring option for any space and offer a multitude of advantages over traditional carpet, vinyl, and tiles. But whether it is their durability and reduced maintenance expenses that hold such an appeal, the evident environmental advantages, or the fact that they can match any décor, there are five important steps that must be considered when investing in concrete flooring. Let us talk you through them.

Know Your Goal for Your Desired Concrete Finish

Before starting any flooring project, it is essential to bear in mind two key elements: the current state of your floor and your desired result. This will help save time and money by equipping you with the right tools and materials and keeping your project on schedule. You can also always contact our flooring team to aid in preparation, and to ensure you stay on time and on budget.

Additionally, it is important to consider the following questions to ensure your project runs as smoothly as possible.

Ask yourself: does your concrete currently have any existing flaws? Flawed concrete (such as an existing stain or mark) will often require a different type of coating, which will need to be examined and decided on before beginning the project. Again, our flooring team would be happy to help determine any action needed and to advise on the best type of coating, to ensure optimal results and fewer delays.

Secondly, is your concrete fresh? As a general rule, you should wait at least twenty-eight days before grinding new concrete.

Lastly, it is crucial to ensure you have easy access to power before beginning a concrete project and check to see if there are any time constraints on the job. Both questions can affect your timeline and equipment selection and are critical to the success of the job at hand.

Double Check Your Safety for Concrete Dust Hazards

While standard PPE such as protective boots, gloves and safety glasses are a given on any project, when handling concrete, it's important to go beyond the basic safety equipment and measures.

Silica dust is a major hazard that can linger in the air and cause serious health issues. To protect yourself and your team, always wear KN95 masks when grinding or shot-blasting concrete. To further minimise the risk of dust exposure, use water when grinding concrete or add air scrubbers, HEPA dust collectors and other specialised gear. Our Sunbelt Rentals team would be happy to advise on which equipment to invest in to protect yourself and your team. Want to learn more about the risks of dust exposure? Our dedicated blog will educate on other ways to lower dust exposure in the workplace.

Choose the Concrete Surface Preparation Equipment

Knowing your concrete prep goals is key. Selecting the right tools can save time and money but remember, bigger isn't always better. An aggressive tool can do more harm than good: halting progress and damaging flooring. Depending on the concrete flooring, you may need light grinding, scrapers, shot blasters, or specialised abrasives. And knowing your desired finish will also determine your best approach for the polishing process. But the most critical question may be buying your equipment versus renting it from a trusted vendor. That is where our concrete experts come in: they can help you find the best solution for any project or budget. Just leave the how to us.

Keep Your Concrete Floor Clean

Maintaining a clean concrete floor is key to keeping it looking great. Dust and debris can cause surface scratches, so a simple sweep or vacuum is a must. Mop with a neutral cleaner to help keep it looking new. For larger areas, a mechanised cleaner can save time and effort. And if you have certain finishes, an auto scrubber with a suitable grit pad can be an effective choice. We're here to help you find the best tools and treatments to keep your concrete floor looking its best.

Revisit Your Concrete Flooring Project

We all know that a concrete flooring project is a major investment, but you don't want your investment to be short-lived. It pays to stay on top of your concrete flooring maintenance and regular check-ins, cleaning, and care can help your investment last.

Follow these five critical steps to ensure your concrete flooring project is a success. And contact Sunbelt Rentals for help with any questions or concerns you may have before, during or after your project.

The job doesn't end when the concrete is finished - this is a long-term commitment. Invest in the future of your floors, today.