SURFACE PREPARATION
A Critical Step to the Success of your Floor
If your substrate is not brand new it has probably picked up some character over its lifespan - cracks, spalling, delamination, unlevel areas, and/or moisture. If you plan to overlay existing substrates, the surface must be properly prepared. This is essential to acheiving good results with your chosen floor topping. It is a time consuming step that many are tempted to overlook - but Commercial Floor Services always evaluates and prepares the surface for maximum success.
Surface Repair
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The mending of cracks or structural deficiencies in the surface before laying down the topping allows for a strong, smooth, and attractive outcome. When a blemish appears on the surface of a slab it is usually one of the following: blisters, cracking, curling, delimitation, dusting, efflorescence, low spots, popouts, scaling or spalling. These deficiencies can be minimized or mended by utilizing proper surface repair methods and underlayments. We know the tricks of the trade to make a successful and long-lasting repair to any blemish that might affect your project.
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Surface Profile
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It is important to employ the correct techniques to properly prepare the texture of the substrate underneath your chosen floor. This will ensure a strong bond with the topping. Depending on the chosen floor there are different techniques to be used and different surface profiles needed for maximum adhesion. If the substrate is concrete, each flooring system requires a specific CSP for good bonding. CSP stands for "Concrete Surface Profile" and it ranges from 1 (nearly flat) to 9(very rough). Acheivinig higher CSPs requires the use of such tools as scarifiers, grinders, or shotblasters.
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Moisture Mitigation
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If moisture is not evaluated and remediated before the topping is laid down, hazardous conditions may arise and the flooring system may fail. If moisture issues are not contained the following are a few of the problems that might be found: unattractive discoloration of both substrate and floor covering/coating, delamination of floor covering/coatings, corrosion of items attached to the substrate or stored on the floor, deterioration of wall coatings and mold reactions inside walls, and the growth of microbes that can lead to poor indoor air, odors, and even allergic reactions. It is highly important that your substrate is moisture tested and remediated before moving on with your project.
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