How to Fix Cracks and Surface Unevenness on Industrial Floors
Concrete floors are commonplace in most industrial facilities, thanks to their natural durability. Even the toughest concrete floors will feel the sting of time, especially in high-traffic industrial settings. No one knows this better than Kaloutas. Performing regular maintenance will help keep your floors steady and secure for longer, but cracks, divots, and other issues are bound to appear at some point. When these problems arise, it’s important to repair them as quickly as possible since minor fractures can grow into major headaches before you know it. Of course, every scenario is unique and might require a different approach depending on various factors and your personal preferences. At Kaloutas, our experience allows us to provide custom flooring solutions for your facility.
Here are some of the ways we fix cracks and surface unevenness on your industrial flooring, depending on the situation.
How to Repair Industrial Floor Cracks
Fill Minor Cracks with Epoxy or Mortar
The smallest cracks in your concrete floors are usually fixed in no time, so long as you have the right equipment. Basic concrete crack repair involves selecting your product (usually epoxy, polyurea or mortar), chasing the crack by saw-cutting or grinding the area and removing small particles, and then injecting the empty crack with your crack filler compound, paying close attention to the product’s specific application and curing instructions (some compounds require mixing/wetting before or during application). A putty knife or trowel should be used to smooth out the compound as it surpasses the crack, so you end up with an even finish. Contractors like Kaloutas utilize specialized machinery like state-of-the-art power trowels and products such as fast cure MMA seamless epoxy polished concrete floors to make the job easier and more efficient, allowing for less downtime.
Resurface or Polish Your Industrial Floors
Even after you’ve patched up the cracks in your concrete floors, your floor might have unwanted slopes that present a tripping hazard. Additionally, you’ll want to do whatever you can to prevent further cracks from occurring. Both of these issues can be resolved via concrete floor resurfacing, which comes in a variety of forms. The most popular resurfacing options include concrete polishing and epoxy flooring systems. For polished concrete floors, the substrate is leveled via diamond grinders during the process a densifier and stain guard are applied, resulting in a smooth, glossy, durable, even surface that’s extremely low-maintenance (though vulnerable to certain chemicals). On the other hand, epoxy coatings are simply applied over the existing floor after it has been patched up and mechanically prepped, offering powerful protection against moisture, chemicals, impact, and more, as well as a wide variety of color and finish options. With a proper industrial floor coating, you won’t have to worry about the health issues caused by these chemicals and mildew, which means fewer employee sick days and better labor costs for you.
Keep Things Even with Self-Leveling Underlayment
While industrial floor coatings and concrete polishing can help create a more level surface, it’s often best to re-level the substrate beforehand to ensure that your industrial flooring remains even for many years to come. You can accomplish this goal by installing a self-leveling underlayment, which flattens and smooths interior surfaces prior to coating and/or covering their uppermost layers. Of course, applying self-leveling underlayment requires extreme precision along with specialized techniques and tools and deep knowledge of various coatings and coverings. If performed improperly, you may end up putting your floors at greater risk of damage, which is why it’s crucial to hire experienced professionals like Kaloutas for this task. We have the equipment and expertise to ensure you have the safest and most sustainable concrete floors possible. With the savings in labor costs, maintenance, and repairs, a job with Kaloutas will also ensure a higher return on investment.
Don’t let your industrial floors fall through the cracks of your operation. Let the concrete flooring experts at Kaloutas fix any cracks and/or unevenness that currently corrupt your foundation. To learn more about us and all that we do, including our concrete polishing services, contact us online, or give us a call at 978−532−1414 today.