Concrete layers are not as strong as a concrete slab, since they are a thin layer. However, you can get concrete overlays on the market that are very durable and suitable for internal, external, pedestrian and vehicular traffic. A typical concrete job can have a tensile strength of 3,000 psi. But your company's new GSPEC (green self-leveling polyurethane epoxy cement) product goes far beyond that.
Concrete overlays are a great way to coat old concrete because they are strong, durable and decorative. Concrete layers are to the floor what a fresh coat of paint is for a wall. When you have a concrete floor that needs repair or just needs a little makeover, it can be done in an interesting way and could do much better than it was before. Concrete overlays are a method that will give your floors a different look. There are a few things you should know before applying any overlay product. Here are 10 of the most important things to know about concrete overlays so you're ready to redecorate or fix that concrete.
What you are applying to your existing concrete is basically a thin-colored concrete cement based product. They are mainly used for decorative purposes and damage repair. The overlay you apply can be as thin as you want, as it all depends on your personal preferences. Many years ago, there weren't many easy-to-use products that would allow you to easily repave a worn, ugly-looking concrete. But all that has changed with the different current products.
They have different bag mixes that only need water to make it work. Depending on the manufacturer, most overlapping products have their own proprietary mixture and blends. There are different portland cement blends, different aggregates and polymer resins with polymer-modified additives in each blend. Polymer is a key part of the top layer; it is what causes all mixtures and products to stick together, making them strong to provide a powerful bond to existing concrete. Temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit on a cold day are excellent for applying concrete coatings.
You need to repair the concrete and remove all unnecessary drill bits before applying anything, also following certain steps to check its stability and solidity, then use all the necessary synthetic or rubber fillers to repair it. Frank Owens, vice president of marketing at Atlanta-based Quikrete, says his company has offered a concrete resurfacing machine for about 15 years. There are some types of concrete resurfacing designed for use only on concrete substrates, while others can be used both on concrete and as a leveling compound when preparing plywood subfloors for flooring materials. But take the time to clean, repair and fix the surface first, and your concrete coating will work as if it had been part of the house from day one. If you pour something thinner than 1.5 inches, you don't have enough cement paste on and around the aggregate to get strong concrete. Whether you pour concrete for a walkway or patio, a strong gravel base is required to prevent concrete from cracking and moving.
Spread a thick layer of Loctite metal and concrete epoxy over the surfaces to be joined and press the broken part into position, supporting a heavy block against the repair until the epoxy hardens. Gravel is especially important in clay soils because it does not drain well, which causes water to accumulate under the concrete slab and slowly erode the soil as it eventually drains. With the absence of grout lines that are usually seen on tiles, Covet's concrete coating provides a sought-after seamless aesthetic that is easy to keep clean. Vapor barriers are used because, while fresh concrete is poured wet, it is not supposed to stay that way. Perfect for new constructions, existing constructions and renovations where floor heights or descents are a limitation, for rectification work where the desired aesthetic of concrete was not achieved and more.
