Architects, designers, customers, owners and most of your staff use the words dye and stain interchangeably. Is there a difference when it comes to choosing a topical colorant? And if so, why does it matter? Turns out the answer is yes and it matters. Stains are ground, insoluble pigment particles […]
Tips for Polished Concrete
Dye or Stain:
Before polishing: Contractors must remove delamination and do repairs
As we discussed in Concrete 101, concrete is a hard, durable surface made up of cement, aggregate and water. It’s the single, largest, volume-building material used worldwide. All totaled, that equates to about 10 billion tons a year. For the most part, concrete does its job, and we hardly ever […]
Concrete 101:
Know the basics of mix design
Concrete is a hard, durable substance made up of cement, aggregate and water. Together, these ingredients form concrete, the largest volume-building material used worldwide. Cement acts as the binder, the fine medium. Coarse aggregate gives concrete its compressive strength. And water initiates and promotes the reactions that allow concrete to […]
A wise choice:
Have a plan when removing adhesive
After discovering adhesive, stop for a moment to wisely plan your next steps. Figuring out if the adhesive is hard and not tacky — or somewhat soft and a bit sticky — is crucial! It is imperative to determine this before removing adhesive from concrete. As soon as you discover […]
Determining a Concrete Grinder’s Sweet Spot
How much overlap is needed when grinding, honing and polishing? And how do we find a concrete grinder’s sweet spot? These questions refer to the process of making consecutive passes when processing a bonded abrasive polished concrete (BAPC) floor. Truth be told, all concrete will show and tell us the […]
Which type of curing should you use for polished concrete?
The definition of curing is providing adequate moisture, temperature and time to allow cement to hydrate and concrete to develop internal strength and abrasion resistance. There are a number of methods for curing concrete. We have compiled them here in one place. Here are the methods for curing concrete Wet […]
Polished Included:
All Concrete Must Be Properly Cured
Curing is defined as providing adequate moisture, temperature and time to allow cement to hydrate and concrete to develop internal strength and abrasion resistance. Properly cured concrete should be the goal for all concrete, not just polished. There are different types of curing. These include: Wet cure involves a uniform […]
What to do?
Polished floor is complete
but client wants more shine
You’ve completely polished the concrete floor but the client wants more shine. Here are the things you’ll need to fulfill the task: High-speed propane burnisher – Ensure the machine is clean and dust free. Blow it out with an air compressor. Then clean an area of the shop floor. Next, […]
Why clean between diamond tool grits?
There are many benefits associated with cleaning between diamond tool grits. These include: Always having a clean job site. It’s professional, more efficient, shows you care and gives the crew a morale boost! Allows for easier inspection. Inspecting the floor for random scratches between grits allows you to catch a […]
Edge Before Floor
It really makes a difference
Edgework for polished concrete can be difficult to perform. Even with best practices, the edges many times won’t look like the rest of the floor. There are many variables in concrete construction you can’t control. Variables such as whether the walls are built before or after the pour, whether the […]