Concrete is known for its durability — that’s why it’s used for garage and basement floors. However, it’s not indestructible. Over time, wear and tear can take their toll, degrading your concrete floors. It’s important to be on the lookout for small signs of deterioration, which can indicate larger underlying problems. When you identify damage early, you can consider professional floor coatings or repairs before the issues become worse (and more expensive to fix).
Keep reading to learn some signs to look for that may indicate your concrete floor is failing and how professional floor coatings can help.
1. Hairline Cracks Are Starting to Spread
Be on the lookout for hairline cracks that are starting to spread. A few minor surface cracks may not be cause for concern, but it’s a good idea to monitor any changes that occur. If the cracks widen or multiply, it could be a sign of more significant damage caused by moisture, settling, temperature changes, and heavy loads.
2. Concrete Is Chipping or Flaking
Concrete spalling happens when concrete’s surface layer peels, flakes, chips, or breaks away. This can be caused by freeze-thaw cycles, moisture intrusion, age, and wear. If you continue to use a deteriorating concrete floor, it can accelerate the damage, which means you’ll have to perform more significant repairs.
3. Dust Keeps Appearing on the Floor
If dust keeps appearing on the floor no matter how often you sweep it, it could be a phenomenon known as concrete dusting. Weak or improperly cured concrete can cause the top layer to disintegrate, creating a dusty surface. This constant dust can cause problems in garages, warehouses, commercial spaces, and industrial facilities where cleanliness is key.
4. You Notice Pitting or Small Craters
Pitting — small pits or indentations in the concrete — is different from normal concrete surface wear. Potential causes of pitting include moisture, chemicals, freeze-thaw damage, and heavy traffic. As time goes by, pitting can gradually spread, so it’s important to address it as soon as you notice it.
5. Moisture Is Coming Through the Concrete
Look for signs that moisture is coming through the concrete, including damp spots, discoloration, or puddling. Moisture intrusion can contribute to cracking and deterioration, and if your floors have a coating, it can lead to coating failure. This is why it’s essential to address moisture issues before installing a new floor coating.
6. The Surface Is Becoming Uneven
Settlement, erosion, cracking, and repeated heavy loads can cause concrete surfaces to become uneven. This can create trip hazards and problems for equipment, vehicles, carts, and forklifts. Professional evaluation may be necessary if the uneven, damaged areas continue to worsen.
7. Stains or Chemical Damage Are Becoming Permanent
Oil, grease, chemicals, salts, and other substances can penetrate unprotected concrete. Persistent staining may indicate that the concrete is becoming more porous as it degrades, allowing the stains to penetrate deeper. A concrete coating can provide a surface that’s more stain- and moisture-resistant and easier to clean.
8. Previous Coatings Are Peeling or Blistering
If your concrete floors have a coating that’s peeling or bubbling, it may indicate moisture problems beneath the surface. Simply adding another layer over a failing coating will not solve the problem — you must mitigate the moisture issues and properly prepare the surface first.
9. Heavy Traffic Is Wearing Down the Surface
Look for signs of wear in areas exposed to vehicles, forklifts, machinery, or frequent foot traffic. Repeated abrasion can gradually weaken the concrete surface over time. Floor coatings can provide additional protection, helping to lengthen your concrete’s lifespan.
How Professional Floor Coating Can Protect Your Concrete
Professional floor coatings can protect your concrete from abrasion, chemicals, stains, and moisture, helping to prevent it from failing. They make it much easier to clean and maintain and help extend the life of your concrete floors.
However, if your floors have significant structural damage, they should be evaluated and repaired before coating. It’s also important to choose a coating system that’s based on your floor’s environment and intended use, whether it’s in a garage, commercial facility, warehouse, industrial space, or other application.
Protect Your Concrete with Brush Brothers Coatings
Small signs of concrete deterioration shouldn’t be ignored. Reach out to Brush Brothers Coatings for a professional evaluation to determine the source of the damage and whether a floor coating would be beneficial. If you decide to add a floor coating, you can trust that we’ll take care of everything, from repairing the concrete to applying the coating, to ensure long-lasting results.
