4 Common Causes Of Damage To Concrete Floors

Concrete is the go-to choice of flooring material for most types of buildings, thanks to its durability and low maintenance requirements. Despite these features, there are factors that may damage concrete. In this blog, local provider of garage floors residential and commercial, Guardian Garage Floors, count down the factors that cause damage to concrete floors.

1. Overloading — If properly built, concrete floors can handle a lot of weight, with factors such as estimated load and floor size out into consideration during planning. If too heavy a load is placed on a concrete floor—parking a pickup truck in a garage that’s sized for a sedan, for instance—cracking can occur. If you’re just having your garage, basement or slab floor built, it’s better to give it headroom and have it sized for much heavier flooring.

2. Freeze-Thaw Cycles — Concrete floors that are exposed to the elements are vulnerable to damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles. Bare concrete is porous and can soak in moisture, retain it, and expand as it freezes during winter. This leads to cracking and splitting, and can make the entire floor brittle over time. Spaces such as garage floors may not be exposed to rain and snow, but may absorb moisture from indoor humidity. You can avoid moisture infiltration with polyaspartic coatings. In addition to being a waterproofing barrier, polyaspartic coatings are flexible enough to maintain a year-round flat and even look.

3. Dusting — Dusting happens when the concrete mixture used during building had the wrong water-to-concrete ratio, or if the floor wasn’t given enough time to cure. This results in concrete that easily crumbles, which results in a lot of dust. It has the same effect as wear and tear, and if not addressed, it can cause the concrete floor to wear away. You can have a flooring professional apply a layer of industrial concrete to reinforce the top layer, then have it sealed with polyaspartic coating.

4. Corrosion — Concrete can also succumb to corrosion from road salt, chemicals and spills from vehicles. Regularly cleaning such areas and avoiding using harsh chemicals can prolong concrete’s life span. However, for the ultimate in concrete protection consider investing in polyaspartic coating.

Guardian Garage Floors is your leading provider of one day garage floors. Give us a call at (678) 831-9972 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Marietta, GA, and nearby areas.