It is not always easy to pinpoint the root causes of problems with concrete flooring, but construction professionals must strive to determine what went wrong, because it can minimize the chances of repeat problems in the future.
Fixing concrete flooring challenges
Some construction professionals engage owners who assume they have relatively minor concrete floor issues—those owners may even wonder if they need to address the issues at all. This situation could also occur if an owner believes the problem is merely a cosmetic one.
However, it is up to the professional providing construction services and advice to help owners gain a broader perspective and advise them the problem could get worse if they do not act quickly.
For example, consider a concrete-related moisture problem. Concrete still contains moisture once it has fully cured.2 One can measure the relative humidity (RH) or the rate the moisture vapor moves through the concrete surface to determine if the material is too damp. Manufacturer guidance typically details which test methods to use and the acceptable moisture vapor transmission limits.
Various complications can result if tests indicate there is a concrete moisture problem and decides to wait to fix it. The substrate can eventually deteriorate, or cracks can start to appear in the floor coating. The concrete surface can also become uneven, creating safety hazards in heavily used areas of a building. Some consequences are harder to see, including mold or pathogen growth beneath the surface of the floor.
The main point to get across to any owner in this position is this: it is better to act promptly instead of hoping the problem will not worsen. Even if the situation seems stable to the owner, it could be an incorrect assumption as not all complications are immediately visible.
Discussing replacements and repairs
Once the professional has determined the specific problem and its scope, it is important to discuss whether the best approach is to replace or repair the affected area. Replacement can be more expensive, but the overall cost may be worth it if the issue is extensive or if the owner wants to make more-extensive improvements to the area.
For example, research indicates more than one-third of office-based employees do not have enough light in their workspaces.3 However, replacing faulty flooring with polished concrete can make a space brighter and more inviting.
Repairs can solve many concrete flooring challenges, particularly if owners notice something amiss and contact a professional quickly. For example, some cracks appear with one side noticeably higher than the other. Uneven settling beneath the concrete’s base layer may cause this problem.4 However, injecting slurry or foam under the slab can sometimes remedy the problem.
If the concrete flooring challenges are too extensive to warrant successful repairs, a replacement will likely be the desired outcome. Discussions should take place regarding all the necessary particulars of that route, including recycling the removed material or reusing the removed material on the property.
Clarify needs and expectations
Once the concrete flooring challenges are identified, it is time to talk about the specifics. For example, what is the budget, and are there financing options to make the costs more manageable? What steps can one take to solve the issue, and what is the project’s overall time frame?
These are the same considerations with issues we encounter when installing concrete driveways. The challenge is that the driveways obviously encounter much higher loads. But the challenges are very similar with flooring.