FAQ’s

There are multiple steps when it comes to concrete polishing. First, we’ll clean and inspect your existing concrete. If any damage is present, we’ll need to repair it before moving forward. Once repairs have been made, we can begin the first round of grinding. This is typically accomplished in three to four passes with a coarse-grit grinding wheel. With each pass, we’ll switch to a finer wheel. We’ll apply an impregnating sealer that strengthens the concrete from the inside out after the rough grinding. After the sealer is applied, we can begin the final round of grinding that polishes the floor. We start with a fine-grit grinding wheel and move to a finer grit with each pass until the floor reaches the sheen level of your choice. Once the polishing is finished, your floor is ready to use!

Polished concrete floors are known for their longevity. These long-lasting floors have the potential to last a lifetime! With proper maintenance and care, a polished concrete floor will generally last a minimum of 20 years.

There are many benefits to choosing this durable flooring solution. Below are some of the most notable benefits to this flooring system:

• Stain-resistant Surface- By sealing the concrete’s surface and making it denser, concrete polishing will tighten the concrete’s surface so that it repels water, oil, and other liquids, blocking them from permeating the surface.
• Increased Reflectivity- The polishing process gives the concrete a glossy, reflective surface. This glossiness allows the floor to better reflect light in any setting. By reflecting light in your space, you can save on lighting bills and allow your area to be lit by more natural light!
• Increased Skid-resistance- Despite the glossy appearance of polished concrete, this floor isn’t slippery. The polishing process can actually increase the friction of the floor compared to unpolished concrete.
• Ease of Maintenance- The maintenance of polished concrete is quite simple. Daily sweeping or dust mopping and occasional wet mopping when the floor becomes soiled is all that’s needed to keep it looking sleek for years!
• Cost-efficient Flooring- Thanks to the reduced maintenance and energy costs, polished concrete is an investment that delivers well on its return on investment.

Concrete can crack for several different reasons, although shrinkage is typically the leading cause of cracking. As your concrete hardens and dries, it shrinks to some degree. This is because the excess water from the mixing process evaporates. The wetter your concrete is when it’s poured, the more shrinkage there will be. This shrinkage can cause the concrete slab to pull apart, creating small to large cracks throughout. This type of cracking can be reduced through the proper use of saw-cut joints in the concrete.

Thankfully, the maintenance of polished concrete is simple and easy to keep up with. This can save time and money over the years in any setting! To keep your polished concrete floors maintained, daily sweeping or dust mopping is required to remove any hard particles or debris from the floor. Wet mopping will also be needed from time to time, typically around once a week or as the floor becomes heavily soiled. Avoid using citrus or soapy detergents as they can leave a film over the polished finish of your floor.

It’s possible that the polishing process could remove an oil stain, or any other type of stain, depending on the size and age of the stain. The polishing process involves several rounds of grinding with a variety of grinding wheel grits. By grinding down the floor’s surface, it’s possible that we could grind down farther than the stain penetrated, thus removing it. However, many stains, especially oil stains, can deeply penetrate unsealed or aging concrete floors. It’s much more likely that concrete polishing would simply lighten the stain rather than altogether remove it.

Concrete polishing not only enhances the appearance of a concrete floor, but it also provides many functional benefits! The polishing process strengthens the concrete and densifies it, leaving you with a durable, long-lasting, resistant surface that can withstand much more than a typical concrete floor. The end result is a beautiful surface that will last decades in your home or business!

Yes! We can color your polished concrete floor, old or new. If you’re having a new concrete floor installed and polished, integral color can be added as it’s poured to color the concrete. If you’re having an existing floor polished, we can color through the use of concrete stains. After the rough grind, we can apply the stain of your choice and then finish the polishing process. There are two types of stains that we work with: water-based and acid-based. Acid-based stains react with the concrete on a chemical level, imparting permanent color. These stains only come in a variety of Earth tones. Water-based stains permeate the surface of the concrete to impart permanent color. These stains come in a wide variety of vibrant colors.

Yes, a damaged concrete floor can be polished. At the beginning of the polishing process, we clean and inspect the floor. Any damage found, ranging from cracks to pits to chipping, will be repaired before moving on to the rough grinding.

Not all concrete can be polished. In most cases, the damage is not severe enough for it to inhibit the polishing. However, there are rare cases where the damage to the concrete slab impacts its structural integrity. If your concrete floor’s structural integrity is compromised, concrete polishing may not be the best method for updating your concrete floor. On average, the majority of concrete floors are not damaged to this point and can be polished.