A lot of people like concrete floors. It’s easy to clean, looks good, and can withstand a lot of abuse. There are, however, some disadvantages. One of those disadvantages is the fact that concrete floors get stained easily. If something spills onto it, you’re in trouble. You can clean most stains out with soap and water, but there are some that will simply never come out.
This isn’t so much of a disadvantage as an advantage. Concrete floors need minimal care. You usually only wax or seal it once or twice a year and then you use a common, non-toxic cleaning agent every couple of months. It’s much easier on concrete flooring than on wood floors, which is for certain.
If you choose concrete flooring but somehow you decide you’d rather have something else underneath it at some point, all you need to do is replace it. You can’t just take concrete flooring and move it to another place. It will require additional work and more materials. You should think about calling a contractor to check your floors and see if you can fix them up or if they need to be replaced. For small problems you can often do it yourself. For larger problems you’ll probably need to get some help from professionals such as a contractor.
The biggest disadvantage of concrete flooring is the way it reacts to moisture. It’s a porous substance and gets highly vulnerable to moisture. If a spill happens, then you’re going to see a huge mess. If you don’t seal it right away, then the moisture will penetrate into the concrete flooring and cause it to expand.
You can add another layer of concrete flooring to deal with this problem. It can be an additional layer that has a sealer already added to it or a newly manufactured coating. A good sealer will actually prevent the moisture from penetrating and expanding on the surface of the floor. A newly manufactured coating also called a staining product, can be added to the concrete flooring after it’s installed. It looks like a thick layer of icing on the cake and provides a durable, protective barrier against moisture.
Concrete isn’t the only material that can be slippery though. Wood, granite, tile, and linoleum can be very slippery. These materials are designed to be walked on, but they’re not designed to be safe. As you walk on them, they can become very slippery and make you subject to accidents.
Installing underfloor heating systems will help you make concrete flooring more durable because the system will actually insulate the concrete flooring from any sort of movement. It also prevents the moisture from getting trapped in the floor as it expands and contracts due to heat. The heating system will allow the material to remain durable and smooth. The heating underfloor heating systems can be installed on concrete floors that are already laid.
You need to think about these issues when you’re choosing between different types of concrete flooring. If you choose polished concrete floors, you’ll probably want to get the least amount of unsealed concrete possible. Underfloor heating systems will keep your concrete floors sealed so they’re durable, slip-resistant and smooth. Whatever option you choose for your concrete floors, it’s important to look at all of the options.
If you have moisture problems in your home then you need to have a vapor barrier applied to your concrete flooring. There are many ways to create the vapor barrier. The simplest way is with a special spray or wipe that contains baking soda. You just apply the baking soda to the surface of the concrete slab and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off with a clean cloth. Other ways to create the vapor barrier include using a moistened polyethylene foam insulation board or applying a vapor barrier film to your concrete floor.
Concrete is one of the most durable flooring materials available. However, like anything else that’s durable it must be maintained properly. A good rule of thumb is to have your concrete flooring maintained by a professional once per year. If you live in an area where there are issues with water or humidity then you may want to consider sealing your concrete flooring once a year. There are a variety of sealers that are designed specifically for concrete.
It’s important that you only use the sealer that is recommended for the type of concrete flooring you have installed. Don’t use sealants and other flooring materials that aren’t designed for your concrete flooring material. This will lead to problems. Also, don’t use any chemical cleaners on your concrete flooring surface. If you must use a chemical cleaning product consult your professional Concrete Countertops for further recommendations. They can also offer advice on how best to maintain your concrete flooring.