Polished Concrete Floors: What to Look For Before Polishing

Small imperfections can often be dealt with during the preparation stage, but more severe damage may need repair work before floor polishing begins.

If large sections of a slab are unstable, resurfacing treatment may not give a long term solution.

2. Determine existing coatings and treatments

Some concrete slabs may have been previously treated with epoxide, paint, sealers, adhesives or other surface treatments. These will need to be removed before floor polishing begins, as they can affect the refinement process.

A proper assessment should determine what existing treatments are on the floor, and the best way of dealing with them.

This is especially important in older warehouses or commercial buildings, where multiple layers of treatments may have been applied.

The contractor will need to determine how much preparation is needed before beginning work.

3. Examine cracks and joints

Cracks and joints need to be inspected prior to floor polishing.

The same goes for any other structural issues with the slab.

Not all cracks are treated the same way – some may only require filling, while others might need structural reinforcement. Damaged joints, expansion joints or construction joints may also need special treatment.

Polishing concrete won’t repair underlying structural issues, so it’s important to get an idea of the extent of any cracks and what will need to be done about them before beginning work on the floor.

4. Evaluate the slab strength

The strength of the concrete floor needs to be evaluated too, as a weak surface may not hold up well to preparation and polishing procedures.

If the concrete surface isn’t strong enough a thinner layer of material may need to be ground away to reach a stronger section. It’s important to know what condition the slab is in, to determine if it can be polished, or if it requires other floor treatments.

Slab strength is especially important in industrial buildings where forklift traffic and other equipment exert high pressure on the floor surface.

The contractor can determine if the floor is suitable for polishing or if it needs other treatment to make it more durable.

  For technical guidance on concrete construction and structural requirements in India, you can refer to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). 

5. Check for moisture

It’s equally important to pay attention to any sources of moisture that may affect the floor.

Water penetration can have a negative effect on flooring treatments, and in many cases indicates an underlying issue that needs to be resolved before proceeding.

Possible sources of moisture may include ground water, plumbing leaks, drainage problems, moisture ingress through joints, water retention on site or inadequate waterproofing treatments.

Polished concrete isn’t a waterproofing solution, so if there’s a moisture problem, it should be investigated and dealt with before beginning floor polishing.

This is especially true for basement floors, ground floor industrial buildings or any other area that is prone to water ingress.

6. Determine intended usage

Usage is an additional factor that needs to be taken into consideration.

The same type of floor finish may not be appropriate for different types of buildings.

A showroom floor will have different requirements to a warehouse floor, and the anticipated traffic load should also play a role in determining the appropriate finish.

Forklift traffic, vehicle movement, machinery, storage requirements, oil and chemical exposure, cleaning needs and desired aesthetics are all relevant factors that should be discussed with the contractor.

7. Determine the level of aggregate exposure

The level of concrete that will be exposed also affects the outcome. A higher exposure will reveal more aggregate, and may give a more rustic appearance, whereas a lower exposure will give a smoother finish. This should be discussed before beginning the work, and the property owner should also ask to see samples or pictures of previously completed jobs, to get an idea of the appearance.

Aggregate exposure will also depend on the existing condition of the slab, and the contractor should be able to determine how much material can be exposed, based on the type and depth of the slab.

8. Determine the required finish

Polished concrete can range from a low sheen to a highly reflective finish, but the desired end result should be discussed before beginning work.

The number of preparation and polishing stages will affect the outcome, and using a simple ‘shiny floor’ description may lead to unrealistic expectations. Instead, ask the contractor to describe the outcome they’re aiming for, and explain how they’ll achieve it. This should help establish realistic expectations between the property owner and the contractor.

9. Determine if densification is necessary

In some instances, a chemical densifier may be used to enhance the surface of the floor. A suitable product can be applied to the slab to improve its density, and reduce surface dusting if the slab is appropriate for such treatment.

However, densification isn’t a solution for severely deteriorated concrete – it can only enhance an appropriate slab.

The contractor should be able to advise on whether this treatment is needed, and what product they’ll be using.

10. Establish if the floor has any impediments

Large expanses of floor are much easier to treat than small, fragmented sections.

Columns, walls, drains, doorways, ramps, equipment or other objects can interrupt the flow of work, and may require special equipment to access.

The edges of the slab may also require special treatment if they aren’t accessible to large floor polishing equipment.

When discussing the job with the contractor, make sure to ask if they’ll be treating the edges of the slab, and what they’ll do about any impediments.

This will avoid any unpleasant surprises when the final result doesn’t match up to the proposed plan.

11. Know when polishing is not the right option

Polished concrete isn’t appropriate for all concrete floors.

If the existing slab is unsuitable for polishing, another type of concrete flooring system may be more appropriate depending on the project's requirements.

If the slab is severely deteriorated, or suffers from persistent moisture problems or chemical contamination, another solution may be more appropriate.

Where chemical resistance is a major requirement, an epoxy flooring system may provide a more suitable protective surface.

The choice should be based on the requirements of the building, rather than simply choosing the more aesthetically pleasing option.

12. Ask questions before hiring the contractor

Before work begins, there are several questions that should be asked of the contractor, to avoid unpleasant surprises later on.

• Can my existing floor be polished?

• What repairs will need to be made?

• Will existing treatments be removed?

• How will cracks and joints be treated?

• Will I need densification?

• What finish can be achieved?

• How will edges and obstacles be treated?

• What equipment will be used?

• What will ongoing maintenance involve?

• What exactly is included in my quotation?

These questions can help establish exactly what work will be done, and avoid any disagreements about what is and isn’t included in the quotation.

Polished Concrete Floors: What to Consider Before You Begin

Polished concrete flooring begins with the existing slab. Two seemingly identical slabs can require completely different preparation treatments, due to cracks, previous treatments or underlying issues with the surface.

After determining the existing condition of the slab, a contractor will be able to advise on whether it can be polished, or if another type of floor treatment would be more appropriate.

Polished concrete is a fantastic way to give an existing slab a new lease of life. But not all slabs are suitable for such treatment, and the underlying condition can affect the outcome of the work.

Before beginning floor polishing, check the existing slab condition, cracks, joints, moisture content, prior treatments, strength, anticipated traffic and desired finish. This will help avoid unsuitable floors being polished, and unnecessary expenditure on treatments that aren’t required.

If you have a warehouse, factory, showroom, office or commercial building and you’re considering floor polishing, a professional assessment of the existing slab will help establish if it can be polished, and what preparation work may be required.

   For professional flooring solutions tailored to your project requirements, explore BiswasRaj Flooring and find the right flooring approach for your warehouse, factory, showroom or commercial space. 

Frequently Asked Questions
Can every concrete floor be polished?

No – the slab should be examined for strength, deterioration and cracks, moisture content and prior treatments before beginning.

Can cracked concrete be polished?

Minor cracks can often be repaired and polished, but more severe issues should be evaluated before choosing this option.

Is moisture a problem for polished concrete?

Persistent moisture may indicate an underlying issue, and should be investigated before beginning work.

Does floor polishing repair damaged concrete?

Polishing can refine a suitable slab, but won’t repair structural issues. Severely damaged concrete may require other treatment.

Can old concrete be converted into polished concrete floors?

Existing slabs can often be polished if their condition is appropriate, but prior treatments, cracks, staining and deterioration should be considered first.

How do I know whether polishing or epoxy is better?

Evaluate the floor condition and intended usage, and choose the option that’s most appropriate._polished concrete floors

Talk to BiswasRaj Flooring Experts

Planning polished concrete floors for your warehouse, factory, showroom or commercial space? Contact BiswasRaj Flooringto discuss your flooring requirements and get professional guidance for your project.