Concrete polishing is a complex multi-step procedure. A thin, highly polished concrete slab is manually ground, honed, and polished using bonded concrete polishing agents to finer-tune a newly-constructed concrete floor. It is finally refined with each additional cut to reach a particular level of finish. A floor must be thoroughly honed and refinished by Concrete Contractors Seattle at least once a year to maintain its smooth and glossy appearance. However, this simple maintenance can sometimes become cumbersome, as concrete polishing agents may be used on a wide variety of surfaces and can sometimes wear away the finished surface.
Smooth floors require little in the way of maintenance, as long as they are properly maintained. Polished floors can be swept, mopped, and disinfected with mild cleaners or household bleach and water. They are also easy to clean and do not stain from liquids. As a result, polished concrete floors remain clean and dry, making them ideal for public areas such as parks and museums. Polished floors are easy to clean and will not stain from liquids as well, making them suitable for eating and drinking.
There are a number of types of concrete polishing available. The most basic type is known as wet or dry concrete polishing. This method involves spraying a fine coating of concrete polishing compound onto the concrete floor and allowing it to be watered-down by dripping water from a spray bottle or a hose. After the compound has been watered down, it can then be vigorously agitated through the concrete floors using an electric or manual machine that is set to the right settings. This enables the polishing compound to be deeply smoothed and shaped by sheer physical force, meaning that concrete polishing compounds can be used to create detailed and intricate facets of intricate designs and patterns.
Another type of concrete polishing known as dry methods involves using water and a solvent-based compound in combination with the wet polishing techniques. This type of polishing is more effective because it does not require a water supply. Instead, a chemical or detergent solution is applied to the surface to be worked on and allowed to become saturated with water. This solution is left to dry, which takes several hours, and then is thoroughly rinsed off with fresh water. An advantage of using this method is that there is no need to apply a solvent or detergent before hand, which allows workers to complete the job without additional hazards. However, dry methods are more costly and use up more cleaning time than wet methods.
Polished concrete can be further refined by using ultrasound waves and high-frequency sound waves. This technique, called infra-red, or Frisbee, polishing, involves shining a continuous stream of ultrasonic sound waves on the floor and creating a pattern of light that reflects back from the floor. In the process, the shiny surface of the floor is highlighted, which creates a sparkling effect. Polished concrete polishing also employs a concrete-specific tool that shoots bubbles of water at the surface of the floor. The bubbles alter the refractory phase of the concrete, which causes it to become harder. This is referred to as the cracking procedure.
The third kind of concrete polishing technique involves high-frequency sound waves. This process is often used to create a pattern that mirrors a surface that has been refinished. High frequency grit particles are shot into a work chamber at high velocities. As they travel through the work chamber, they spread themselves over the surface of the floor in repetitive maneuvers, which in turn causes tiny abrasive particles to be dislodged and deposited below them.
Afterward, the work floor is washed with a commercial cleaner intended for polishing concrete. The cleanser helps to break down dirt, grease, and other contaminants that have been dislodged from the shot glasses. The polished concrete flooring is then sprayed with an anti-static agent. Finally, an auto wax mixture is applied to the floor. This serves to protect the floor from damage from airborne particles and from oil spills.
Polished floors are durable, which means that your investment will last a long time. They are also easier to maintain than many other forms of flooring. For additional information on how to refinish your existing concrete slab, contact a local flooring contractor. They can show you how to make the process easy and affordable. Once you learn how to refinish your concrete floors, you’ll probably want to keep them polished all the time.