Concrete surfaces are prepared before laying down a topcoat not only for superficial reasons but also for mechanical reasons.  Construction work requires surface preparation prior to installing floor coating in industrial and commercial applications in order to create long-lasting hold and durability.  The texture of the existing concrete is an important consideration when laying down floor coating or resurfacing materials.

Concrete overlays and coatings need proper bonding. Construction professionals see to it that the surface has the right concrete surface profile or CSP.  The International Concrete Repair institute has developed benchmark guidelines to help contractors.   CSP is a measure of average distance from the peaks of the surface to the valleys. The peak ranges from CSP 1 – nearly flat – to CSP 9 – very rough.  The ruling states that the thicker the overlay or topping, the higher the CSP should be. To achieve higher ranges the substrate often needs roughening by shotblasting or scarifying.

Planning stage

Here, contractors and the property owners get together to determine the sope of work.  The following needs to be determined:

• timetable
• work schedule
• clean up process
• safety measures
• acceptable noise levels

Job specifications

The general job specification for surface preparation is that the surface should be “sound, free from surface defects, dry and clean.”  It is important that everyone concerned with the general construction work aligns all requisites so there are no expensive errors.  Specifications should clearly state how uniform, clean and at what strength the substrate should be prior to a coating or overlay installation.

Survey the current state of the concrete surface

The contractor must conduct an assessment of the concrete surface. The assessment should include a check on the top layer of the cement and whatever needs to be removed from the concrete surface.  The surface should also be checked for existing sealers, curing materials, grease, oil or dirt that has to be removed.

Cleaning the concrete surface

Chemicals, oil and grease should be removed from the concrete surface. Everything that is on the surface should be taken off. Chemicals can be removed using high-pressure washing. Oil and grease needs heavy-duty degreasers and scrubbers. Shotblasting and scarifying can be utilized on floors to take a layer off the top.

Roughen or “profile” the surface

The texture or “profile” of the concrete is a very important characteristic to acheive.  Depending on the scope of the project, roughening the concrete by mechanical profiling works but for some acid etching is also convenient.  Mechanical profiling is usually for large areas of floor coatings in industrial or commercial applications.

Surface defects should be repaired

The contractor, having evaluated everything, should now know what repair materials to have on hand.  Chips and protrusions found in the concrete greater than 1/16” should be ground down and refinished to match the rest.  Unstable concrete, bubbles and holes should be assessed and filled up with epoxy or other filling agents and refinished to match the rest.

Resurface the concrete

Having done all preparations, the concrete is now ready for resurfacing.

The above is just a simple overview of the techniques used when doing surface preparation.  The process is best left to a professional like Champion Coatings who will assess the situation of existing concrete and determine the scope of work to ensure good overlay, bonding, longevity and performance.

When concrete cracks a typical remedy is an epoxy injection. Most concrete services companies would recommend the treatment, but not all epoxies can be used for injection. The ones referred to here are the high-performance epoxies that are intended for structural concrete bonding and crack repair.

An example of an appropriate epoxy injection application is the mending of cracks that appeared in a cooling tower at a synthetic fuel plant.  The cracks were found at the ends of prestressed concrete beams.  The company was not ready to demolish the structure and construct a new one so they called in concrete services professionals who recommended epoxy injections and load tested the beams for structural capacity. The treatment was much less expensive and easier to implement than demolition and reconstruction.  They had found the cracks before the structural components became too unstable.

Another practical use of epoxy injections would be in reinforcing pile caps on top of concrete pile foundations.  Epoxy can be injected to reconnect the fragmented caps.

There are epoxies that can withstand water.  This used to be a challenge to concrete services companies before, but nowadays cracks that are filled with water can be remedied easily.

Epoxy injection can solve problems including water filled cracks, locations in cold temperature and wide cracks that need customized solutions.  Concrete services professionals can address the situation and deduce what epoxy product to apply.  While there are many different types of epoxy are available, one size does not fit all. It requires the right combination of materials, chemistry, and expertise.

Have you ever come across the term “carbon footprint” and wondered what it's all about?  As part of our concrete services update, we delve deeper into the issue of the carbon footprint and it's connection to concrete.

Las Gaviotas, a research facility located in Colombia, gives a simple definition of “carbon footprint”.  The term refers to the quantity of carbon emitted by an individual in one year.  Carbon or CO2  is produced by a lot of sources and is the primary gas responsible for climate change.

Last year many scientists concluded that at least 5% of humanity’s carbon footprint is being emitted by the concrete industry. This is both from energy use and byproduct in the production of cement, one of the major components of concrete.  The materials in cement are combined with CO2 and this forms calcite after a long period of time. Calcite is the factor responsible for the re-absorption that scientists have been seeing, where CO2 is reabsorbed in small quantities by concrete.

The Journal of Environmental Engineering in June,2009 mentions that the re-absorption of carbon by concrete extends to other products apart from calcite. This indicates that the total carbon absorbed and removed from the atmosphere decreases the carbon footprint of concrete.

Research by environmental engineer, Liv Haselback, also gives support to this finding.  "Even though these chemical species may equate to only five percent of the CO2 byproduct from cement production, when summed globally they become significant," said Haselbach. "Concrete is the most-used building material in the world."

Such information is good news to concrete services firms since there is so much emphasis on “green living” these days.  It is a removal of the stigma that concrete buildings add up to the heat and smog that urban cities are known for.

Concrete services updates will be featured from time to time to inform environmentally conscious individuals that research and work towards a more environmetal-friendly material is being done.

For more concrete services news, check our Articles page.

If you are living in a concrete jungle then it's certain that you have noticed cracks on concrete walls or steps. Cracks are common, and unfortunately property managers don’t seem to take those cracks seriously.  Concrete services providers cannot emphasize enough that this is an indication of a structural problem and should be addressed as soon as possible.

Expert advice is required to assess cracks, and often building managers assume that such advice is expensive. Many concrete services firms will assess the situation for free - all it takes is a little effort to contact these firms.  “It is important to accurately assess structural cracks to determine what is significant and what is not,” says John Duntemann, a principal at consulting engineering firm Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. (WJE), Northbrook, Ill. “You have to properly identify the extent and cause of cracking before you can implement the right repair solution.”  Solutions to such problems cannot be implemented unless the concrete is evaluated by a specialist.

There are a number of reasons why cracks occur. Thermal expansion and contraction, sub grade settlement, load applied to the concrete and even earthquakes can cause cracks. Internal and external stress can make small cracks larger and further destabilize the structure.

There are two types of cracks in concrete: structural and non-structural.  The structural cracks have an effect on the stability and durability of the structure.  Examples are cracks in support beams, columns, and those areas with heavy load.

The non-structural cracks are not dangerous to structures.  They are addressed mainly for aesthetic reasons. Property owners should also take measures to prevent cracks from growing bigger over time, which could cause damage to the structure.

Tiny or hairline cracks are not so problematic and may not even be noticed. However, the specific location is critical. If hairline cracks have high occurrence then there can be an underlying stress issue that needs to be looked into.

As the size of the openings increases, property owners should be increasingly concerned.  A rule of thumb by concrete services specialists is that cracks 0.15 inch or larger should be evaluated immediately. Experts say that the larger the width, the greater possibility of lost aggregate interlock. Repairs can be made on 0.005 inch crack, but it's desirable to catch it before this point.

Cracks that trail in random directions are not as critical as those found on beams, columns and load-bearing areas. Other warning signs of deteriorating structural integrity are closely spaced cracks or repetition of cracks at the same location on each floor of a building.

When there are cracks on walls or any portion of a building, contact a concrete services provider.  Champion Coatings is an experienced contractor for such services nationwide.

Read More:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete

Military bases undergo rigorous wear and require a number of  industrial flooring systems with various attributes to meet the demands of different circumstances in this sector.  Waterproof coatings, chemical resistant coatings, antibacterial coatings, and ultra-durable traffic coatings are a few of the systems that can be provided for the diverse zones of the base environment.

Examples of  Industrial Flooring Applications:

• Aircraft Hangars
• Aircraft Runways
• Loading Docks
• Machine Shops
• Control Rooms (ESD)
• Classrooms
• Barracks
• Locker/Shower Rooms
• Garages
• Kitchens
• Mess-halls
• Assembly Areas
• Ship Decks
  

Our floor coating specialists can help you choose what coating is best for your situation.

Read More:
Military Construction Specifications, Regulations, and Mandates -  http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/ccb.php

Warehouses have a lot of different uses, but typically they are high-traffic areas with heavy machinery and heavy product being stored on the floors.  It is not unusual for the floor to get soiled by oil spills or other greasy lubricants from machines or forklifts.  Uncoated floors are difficult to clean and even more difficult to maintain. Coating the warehouse floor will make it easier to maintain and will reduce future spending on crack and joint repair.

Epoxy floor coating will allow for the absorption of any oil-based material and stains will not stay as easily as on other coatings.  Since epoxy bonds well with concrete it results in a further-hardened surface. This adds to the durability and resilience of the concrete floor.

Another material used for floor coating is polyurethane which does not discolour or turn yellow.  Like the previous paint, polyurethane hardens the surface. It also results in a very shiny gloss. This coating needs an epoxy primer before it is applied to the warehouse floor.

Latex floor coating is the cheapest option.  This coating needs at least 72 hours to dry. The result for this type of paint is an antique look that some contractors can even make resemble stone or leather.  The disadvantage when using this product is that it needs a protective coating to make it last longer. Exposure to sunlight can cause damage to a latex coated floor.

The decision of which product to apply to the warehouse floor depends on many factors, but there is no question that floor coating is important for the longevity of the floor. Some warehouse managers prefer the cheaper option. The epoxy floor coating is preferred by the majority of managers due to its durability and maintenance.

For help deciding what type of product to apply to your warehouse floor, call a floor coating expert. Contact Champion Coatings.

There are different types of floor surface preparation that concrete service contractors use to start any project.  For the flooring installation to be successful the contractor must have experience in carrying out the proper flooring preparation process. Each method has specialized equipment and requires specific techniques. The floor surface preparation process is a vital step in laying down industrial flooring.

The most common surface preparation processes are:

1. Shot Blasting also know as Captive or Dust Free Shot Blasting

This is the most commonly used method because it is the most effective and cheapest of all preparation methods.  The machine used is attached to a dust extraction unit. This prevents dust from circulating in the area and will not disrupt what is going on around the work area.

2. Scarification

This is a mechanical process wherein the deteriorated surface of the concrete is removed or “scarified”.  The objective is to get to a sound substrate on which the flooring system can be placed.  The process can be of two methods – diamond grinding and STR machines. Scarification removes thick mill coatings, overlays, and as much as ½ inch of concrete with several passes.  The equipment ranges from 8, 12 and 13 inches wide and is powered by electric power or by gasoline.  They are always equipped with a dust collector.

3. Scabbling

The scabblers are used prior to shot blasting weak industrial flooring substrates. This is a more time consuming process but good for removing thick flaky coatings & oil contaminated floors.

4. Grinding

The floor preparation process may take more than one method to complete, depending on the condition of the existing floor. Another method that is often used is the grinding process.   Floor Grinders have the ability to remove coatings, glue, and other particles while leaving the surface clean, smooth & ready for the application of thin mil coating & stains.

5. Acid Etching

Etching is when the area to be prepared is hosed carefully with acid. This is a two-man process where one man operates a nylon grit brush and the other is responsible for pouring the acid evenly and working with a broom. This is a risky process so only experienced contractors should utilize such a method. Never attempt to do this yourself to avoid accidents and improper application of the acid.

It is important to do the research and gain knowledge of the different industrial flooring surface preparation processes, as it is a vital step in prepping the floor so that the processes-to-come  are as successful as possible. If you want a reliable concrete service provider to handle your industrial flooring requirements, contact Champion Coatings.

Why is utilizing high-density polyurethane in concrete leveling more popular than the leveling or lifting methods that some concrete services use?

Below are the advantages of the polyurethane method used today in concrete leveling:

Cheaper than other methods

Since the concrete does not have to be removed or replaced, this is 75% cheaper. The cost of removing and replacing, as well as the longer waiting period, drives up cost significantly.

Efficiency

This method is 80% more efficient in terms of work time and curing time. The materials used will harden in minutes which mean the project can be completed in a matter of hours instead of days. This make concrete services provide completion of project faster.

Much Less Down-Time

Due to the fast acting materials there is no longer a need to stop the usual work flow for days or weeks on end. The project can be done in a matter of hours, enabling people to get back to their usual work quickly.

Durability

Polyurethane is known for its compressive strength which results in solid and dense products. But another surprising feature is that it is also a flexible material. Its tensile strength and elongation properties allow pliability making it tough yet flexible for demanding conditions.

Conformability

High-density polyurethane expands 20 times its liquid volume and fills up spaces wherever it is poured. It also takes on the shape and size of those gaps which completely supports the pavement with precision.

Ability for compaction

Since the material is able to fill-in subspaces, it bleeds into the sub base and actually binds soil, rocks or loose concrete. This adds more strength to the substrate and therefore increases the durability of the floor's surface.

Material is lightweight

Polyurethane material only adds 3-5 pounds per cubic foot to the sub base compared to the 100 pounds or more that mud jacking grout may add.

Structural integrity

Concrete pavement injection holes are only 5/8” in diameter which is lesser than the diameter  of 3” or more that other methods require. The method is easier for concrete services providers to use.

Resistant to moisture

Most polyurethane materials are designed for wet conditions. They have hydrophobic properties which displace water in the sub base. Being that the material is not affected by moisture, as long as the substrate is prepped correctly, no adverse reaction should arise in conditions where moisture is commonplace.

With all the above reasons, those who use high-density polyurethane for concrete leveling can expect infrastructure reliability for a long time. This saves time and money.  Concrete Restoration providers such as Champion Coatings are familiar with such techniques and are qualified to handle your project's needs.

You notice cracks in your floor and pay no mind to them. But beware, because this may be an indication of serious structural deficiencies.  Some cracks may have vital consequences.  Unless you are a professional in concrete services, you may not be able to tell the difference between which ones need immediate attention and which are superficial.

It is crucial to have a professional assess structural cracks to determine what is significant and what is just on the surface level.  Concrete services personnel can properly identify the level and cause of cracking and can give the appropriate repair measures.

There are a variety of reasons why structural cracks happen. Thermal expansion and contraction, sub grade settlement, the load on the structure and even earthquakes can be some of the causes.  The bottom line is that the concrete has external and internal stress and this is shown through both large and small cracks.

Once you notice cracks on the walls or floor contact a concrete services professional to do an assessment.  Their job is to tell you whether or not the cracks are significant to affect structural integrity.  It is not advised to do a DIY solution unless it is an apparent surface crack.  There are too many factors involved in structural engineering and chemical formulation to leave anything to chance.  Remember that the right solution can only be made once an understanding of the cause is determined.

You can call on Champion Coatings. We have professionals who can evaluate the situation and resolve the issue.  Call us or use the Contact Form for an inquiry or a Quote.

One area of a property that is always involved in high activity is the floor. As a rule, it is this part of the building that must be cared for. The floor bears the brunt of furniture, machines and foot traffic so it is easily damaged and cracked. There is a way to make your floor tidy and fresh-looking as well as add to its longevity by improving its durability.

To strengthen your floor, the use of floor paints and coatings is highly recommended. Two of the most commonly used are epoxy floor paint and latex floor paint which differ in both quality and material.

Epoxy floor paint is tough and sturdy, and it lengthens the durability and value of your floor. With a powerful adhesive capacity, it has more resistance to heat, oil, water, and chemicals. It is often found in large establishments and factories. In the office, the best areas to apply epoxy floor paint are high-traffic floors, roofing and bathrooms.

Latex floor paint uses the suspension of rubber or plastic polymer particles in producing adhesives, emulsion paints and other products. Latex floor paint is less odorous and toxic compared to epoxy floor paint, and its gives more glossy finish to most surfaces. 

Each type of paint has different results when used as protective coating to the floor in your building. Decisions are based on the usage of the building.  Call Champion Coatings to help you decide the best protective solution for you.

Some decisions are easy while others are difficult to make. Have you wondered how the differences between hard tile or carpet can influence a decision?

An interesting result of a survey made by Professor Joan Meyers-Levy of the Marketing department at University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, and author of the well-known study on ceiling height, came up with this result: the ground where people stand can greatly influence how they judge products.

This astounding result was published in the Journal of Consumer Research (June 2010). Conducted by co-authors, Joan Meyers-Levy and Juliet Zhu and Lan Jiang of the University of British Columbia, they analyzed the experience brought about by the two most common flooring types sold on retail outlets: hard vinyl tile and carpet. Professor Meyers-Levy discovered that people standing on carpets feel comfortable, however, they have the tendency to judge products that are close to them as less comforting.

The authors did the following procedures:

1. The first result showed that carpeting really gives a greater sense of physical comfort than tiled flooring. They then proceeded to deal with more practical and tricky questions such as - Would these bodily sensations elicited by the flooring transfer to people's assessments of products that they observe while shopping?

2. Some participants were made to stand on soft pile carpet and others on hard tile. They were required to look at products that were close and also placed further away. It was observed that when products were further away, the participants assessed them by the sensations of their bodies, without any conscious efforts at all. For instance, while standing on soft carpet and watching a far-off product, they would judge the item as more comfortable. But when they examined products that were close by, they judged them as less comfortable. According to Professor Meyers-Levy, it was because when objects are close by, the bodily sensations elicited by the flooring are more likely to be used as a comparison standard, but not as a frame for interpretation.

Just how much would implications of these findings affect all brick and mortar retailers and service providers? It is a fact that interior décor, like flooring, is a more important element than function or style. Directly affecting how consumers perceive products, it can determine whether or not the consumers buy the goods. Analyzing the attitude of consumers has always been important, as shown in the result of this study that even where consumers stand can make a difference in making a sale or failure to close the deal.  Let Champion Coatings help you determine what flooring your property needs to make your consumers feel at home. 

For complete report on this study, read the article in the Journal of Consumer Research of June 2010. It is written by Joan Meyers-Levy of the Holden-Werlich School-Wide Professor of Marketing at the Carlson School. She has been researching the effect of verbal and visual communication, memory, information processing, gender and individual difference on the behavior of consumers.

 A tenant improvement project is a tedious job: you have to find the right contractor to handle the many moving pieces and do a good job at the right price.

The tasks in tenant improvement can be daunting.  You have to hire an interior designer, possibly an architect and apply for permits for structural changes.  You have to choose new paint, new carpet or flooring options.  You have to hire a contractor for construction. You have to make sure he has foreman on the job every second.  You have to buy new sinks or toilets. You have to hire a painter and a flooring installer. You have to find crews that are willing to work on weekends and after business hours. You have to hire a security team. You have to hire a mover and temporary storage facilities.  You have to create a schedule for moving your employees around the building in coordination with where construction will be starting and ending.  You have to buy fans so your employees don't have to smell the carpet glue. You have to create a schedule to get the furniture moved, the construction crew in, the painter in, the flooring installer in, and everyone back out again without anyone stepping on eachothers' toes.

The list goes on.  You need a full-service Tenant Improvement Contractor with proven relationships with all the different service providers that go into setting up tenant improvement jobs. You need a contractor that will bring these relationships to the table, set up schedules for you, and solve problems inherent in large tenant projects.

Let us help you make your tenant improvement project into an organized and exciting event for everyone.

Champion Coatings has been in the business for more than 15 years and can offer quality service.  We have successfully completed jobs in private corporations as well as military bases.  Contact us for any of your contracting needs.

Concrete Services, when properly done, can save you significant dollars over removing and replacing existing concrete problems.  Calling Champion Coatings for concrete repair on surfaces and cracks can offset exorbitant long-term costs.  Commercial and Industrial properties have many affordable and high-end options available to them, and Champion Coatings has years of experience salvaging even the most damaged concrete, so contact us today!

In tough economic times, many property managers are faced with more and more restrictive budgets for building repair.  Oftentimes they opt to wait rather than make the investment.  This need to tighten their belt, along with their underestimation of the long-term ramifications of “inconsequential” cracks, leads to procrastination and its associated risks.

The initial crack may be small but it is really a warning sign.  When you see this happening to your structure, contact a concrete services company for a professional opinion.  The environment has a significant impact on concrete, so concrete changes over time, and unmaintained concrete is susceptible to malfunction due to those changes.  A crack may not simply be a crack. Cracks appear as a result of an issue in the surroundings of the concrete.  Well-poured concrete should not crack on its own.  The crack has appeared to tell you that there have been changes in the location that are affecting the concrete – and there could be a number of possibilities – from relocation of area water drainage, to underground root growth, or movement of land beneath the slab.

Even if the crack is small now, maintenance by an experienced concrete services company can help curb larger, costly issues that will appear later. Anyone can avoid the high costs of replacement tomorrow with the small costs of repair today!

Champion Coatings is the concrete services firm that you can call on for your needs, nationally.