Understanding the Concrete Polishing Process

Many homeowners believe that when installing floors, doing it themselves is as good – if not better – than hiring a contractor.

It is true that choosing the DIY method can help reduce costs in the short term. However, what many homeowners do not realize is that the process involved in installing floors can be complicated, especially when it comes to installing personalized finishes.

One of the most common finishing options for concrete floors is polished concrete. Before you decide on polishing concrete yourself, you should first understand the steps involved in the concrete polishing process:

1. Check the Surface 

Before you can start with concrete polishing, you will first need to make sure that there are no cracks or holes in your concrete’s surface and that the concrete is level. 

If you find cracks, holes, or other imperfections, they will need to be filled before you can progress.

2. Grinding

Grinding down the concrete’s surface ensures that it is completely level and helps prepare the surface for the next step. Once grinding is complete, it will then need to be sanded down to ensure a smooth surface.

3. Decorations 

This is when you add any laser cuts or other decorations that you have chosen to be part of the design.

4. Concrete Polishing

Once the decorative elements have been set, it is time for the concrete to be polished. Though the concrete polishing process looks similar to the sanding process, it results in a mirror-like finish. During this step, the sealer is applied to the surface.

5. Final Sealer

In this step, a polishing compound is applied to the concrete surface. This compound also acts as a final sealer and protects the polished finish. It also helps ensure that your new flooring will not require much maintenance.

Last Thoughts

As you can see, concrete polishing offers several areas where you make a mistake. If you make a misstep, you will have to go back and repair the damage, which can be time-consuming and expensive. Furthermore, if concrete polishing is improperly done, the repair can be more than the initial cost of hiring a concrete professional.

Instead of opting for the DIY method, it is always better to hire a concrete professional if you are considering polished concrete as an option for your floors. To get started today, contact Xpedite Coatings at (713)365-0444 – we’re happy to answer any questions or concerns that you might have!