The role of surface preparation in durable flooring

Good surface preparation is the key to a lasting floor.

Did you ever watch the Earl Scheib ads on television? “I’m Earl Scheib, I’ll paint any car for just $99.95!” There was a rumour that if you did some work yourself, like clean the car, remove the trim, hubcaps, and car logo letters, you got a better paint job. Flooring is the same, says Dave Bigham, global director of training at surface preparation expert National Flooring Equipment, if you want a finish that lasts, invest time in properly preparing your surface.

Whether your coating is a $50 gallon of household paint or a $200 can of industrial grade epoxy, good surface preparation is what makes a durable floor. Even tough floor coverings, like engineered hardwood, cove base vinyl, and terrazzo, need a solid foundation to maximise their lifespan.

Reconnaissance

Before starting any work, get to know as much as possible about the site and the condition of the concrete. There are many things out of a contractor’s control but discovering them early on helps the entire project go more smoothly.

Though sometimes overlooked, what lies beneath the concrete influences the floor’s final success. Establishing this involves knowledge of the site’s history, which can be complemented by running industry standard tests that assess its condition. Developments on former landfill sites, for instance, must test for methane emitted by decomposing waste. Methane can seep through the concrete and cause flooring to fail, so remediation such as a gas-resistant membrane might be necessary.

Contractors should also test the concrete for moisture using a calcium chloride or ASTM F1869-22 test, which many manufacturers of epoxy and urethane floor coatings consider the standard measure of concrete dryness. Moisture in the concrete causes many floor coverings to bubble, get damp, or fail, including laminate, carpet, and wood. Where necessary, contractors can install moisture barriers to protect flooring from future issues.

Where possible, it’s helpful to establish what’s been on the concrete’s surface in the past. For example, previous oil, chemical or organic material spills could have soaked deep into the pores and may be impossible to remove. Contractors who discover stains should immediately discuss them with the customer to manage their expectations, and ensure the customer opts for a coating able to tolerate the site’s level of contamination. If a polished concrete floor is planned, the stain will be visible, so the client should be made aware. Depending on the customer’s requirements, they may still be happy to proceed — after all, polishing concrete is a celebration of its inconsistencies.

Good housekeeping

After fully investigating the site, contractors can gather the required machinery and tooling. The desired finish dictates which equipment is appropriate, and a combination may be best — if necessary, contractors can augment their arsenals with rental equipment.

Polished concrete, for example, might require a walk-behind scraper to remove the old covering, a scarifier to profile the concrete and a grinder to polish it to a shine. Shot blasters, on the other hand, are ideal for quickly preparing a surface for a new covering in one step because they simultaneously clean and profile the concrete.

A clean surface is critical to the adhesion of the new covering, there should be no white dust on a hand run over the prepared surface. A scrubber machine can remove dust left after grinding or scarifying, but the surface must be allowed to dry properly afterwards, rushing could cause a new floor to fail.

Aftercare

Finally, once work is complete, the contractor can help the customer understand how best to care for and clean the finished floor. Typically, this involves sharing the manufacturer’s guidelines and suggesting chemicals and cleaning practices to avoid, helping prevent unnecessary wear and tear.

So, whether you’re revitalising a car or transforming a floor, the effort put into preparation paves the way for results that stand the test of time. A reputation for installing durable flooring will have you just as busy as Scheib was, without the TV ads.