Concrete floors can crack due to external factors such as water and temperature differences. To prevent the damage from worsening, it is important to take action as quickly as possible and repair the concrete floor. For this, you have come to the right place at SealteQ. For more than 50 years, we have specialized in protection and preservation of concrete, with quality, safety and innovation as our priorities. Discover what we can do for you in repairing your concrete floor.
Concrete floor repair
How do cracks form in a concrete floor?
1. Rusting reinforcement
Cracks can occur due to rust formation on the reinforcement. Steel in the concrete rusts when it comes into contact with water, which damages the structure of the concrete.
2. Damage from frost or de-icing salt
Weather conditions, such as frost and rain, lead to concrete damage. Road salt also causes damage to concrete. Cracks in the concrete occur due to the expansion and contraction of the concrete.
3. Chemical reactions (alkali-silica reaction or sulfate attack)
Chemical reactions in the concrete, such as the ‘alkali-silica’ reaction (reaction between sodium and potassium in the concrete) or the reaction between sulfate from groundwater and minerals in the concrete, can destroy the structure of the concrete and cause cracks.
4. Overloading of structure
Loading, both from the structure’s own weight and from traffic, causes cracks in the concrete.
5. Damaged substrates
Underlying layers that are damaged, such as the foundation, can cause cracks in the concrete floor. The foundation is the solid component under a building that ensures it stands stable and does not sink into the ground. With a subsided floor, foundation repair is often necessary.
6. Age
Like any other material, concrete undergoes wear over time, which can cause cracks in the concrete floor.
Concrete floor repair techniques
To repair concrete, the following effective techniques are required:
Concrete Injection
With concrete injection, special material is injected into the concrete to fill cracks and make the concrete watertight.
Concrete Coating
Concrete coatings are used to protect concrete against wear, carbonation (the rusting of steel reinforcement in concrete), or chemical reactions. This method ensures that the concrete floor lasts a long time again.
Manual Repair
Traditional concrete repair includes manual techniques such as smoothing and filling concrete. This method is suitable for minor damage to a concrete floor.
Concrete renovation
Concrete renovation is a more comprehensive approach where various methods are combined to restore and strengthen the concrete floor.
Floor elevators
A subsided concrete floor is repaired by lifting the floor slightly and injecting SLS polymer foam underneath. This way, the concrete floor is lifted back to its original height. This is also called ‘floor lifting‘.
Step-by-step plan for repairing cracks in concrete floor
Follow the step-by-step plan below to repair cracks in a concrete floor:
1. Preparation
- Chisel out the crack: chisel out the crack to create a rough surface. The mixture used to fill the crack will adhere better to a rough substrate.
- Make the floor dust-free: vacuum the surface so it is clean. This helps the filling mixture adhere better.
- Prepare the mixture: casting mortar is suitable for filling cracks in a concrete floor, but epoxy or polyester filler is also suitable. Spreadable mortar with synthetic resin is more suitable for walls and ceilings. Read the instructions on the packaging carefully.
2. Seal hole or crack
- Fill the holes and cracks with mortar, epoxy, or polyester filler. Press it down well to prevent air bubbles.
- Seal the hole with a little extra mortar, so that when it dries, it comes out at the same height as the concrete floor.
- Use cement-based solutions such as (rapid) cement or repair mortar for large holes.
3. Drying time
- Allow the filler or mortar to dry completely.
- Protect the treated area from the sun. The sun causes it to dry too quickly. This can cause cracking.
4. Finishing
- Sand the repaired parts again. Finish as desired with a concrete coating, paint, or impregnating agent.
How to repair holes in concrete floors?
You fill holes in a concrete floor with concrete repair mortar, epoxy, or polyester filler.
- Concrete repair mortar: use concrete repair mortar for repairing large holes and cracks in concrete floors. This material provides stability and durability, making it suitable for repairs where strength is important.
- Epoxy: choose epoxy for filling holes in concrete floors where strong adhesion and long-lasting protection are needed. Epoxy is suitable for both small and large repairs.
- Polyester filler: for smaller holes and superficial damage, polyester filler is a suitable choice. This material is easy to apply, dries quickly, and offers an effective solution for quick and smooth repairs to concrete floors.
- Cement-based solutions: in the case of large holes in concrete floors, such as severe damage, cement-based solutions like (quick-setting) cement or repair mortar with a longer drying time can be used for a solid repair.
Have concrete floor repaired by SealteQ
SealteQ is committed to quality, safety and innovation. With more than 50 years of experience and over 300 specialists spread across 10 locations, SealteQ offers customized solutions for all structures made of concrete and
We are your partner for effectively repairing and protecting concrete floors. Contact us for a customized solution or read more about us.
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