What to remember
- Preparation is part of the flooring system, not an optional add-on.
- Cracks are evaluated by condition and movement before treatment.
- Edges and penetrations require the same discipline as open floor areas.
- The approved repair scope should be documented before coating begins.
What this decision actually controls
A coating can only follow the concrete profile beneath it. Mechanical grinding removes eligible weak material and contamination while creating the surface profile required by the specified system.
Cracks, joints, spalls, curbs, stem walls, prior patches, and oil exposure are different conditions. They should not be hidden under one generic preparation line item.
- Existing coatings, curing compounds, and contamination
- Stable cracks versus active movement
- Joint function and edge transitions
- Dust collection, power, access, and disposal
- Repair materials compatible with the next coating layer
Plan the complete system
The preparation plan should name the equipment direction, repair boundaries, dust-control method, edge work, and what happens if concealed conditions appear.
A clean-looking slab is not automatically ready. Profile, soundness, dryness, cleanliness, and compatibility all need to support the written coating specification.
What the project review should confirm
Before installation, confirm which defects are included, which movement cannot be warranted away, and how repaired areas may read through the final finish.
After preparation, the installer should reassess the exposed slab before primer, base coat, broadcast, or topcoat proceeds.
- Existing conditions and eligible preparation
- The selected system, finish, and performance direction
- Access, sequencing, protection, cure, or commissioning
- Care requirements and the limits of the approved scope
Questions homeowners ask
Quick answers.
Is acid etching the same as mechanical grinding?+
No. They are different preparation methods. The installed system and slab condition determine the required approach.
Will crack repair make every crack disappear forever?+
No. Repair can treat eligible conditions, but concrete can continue to move and new cracking may occur.
Is concrete grinding dustless?+
Professional extraction can greatly control airborne dust, but the work should be described as dust-controlled rather than completely dust-free.
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