Polishing concrete is a combination of science and art. On the one hand, it is important for contractors to be precise in measurements and procedures. On the other hand, contractors provide enough artistic space to cater the design and outcomes the client wants. In this article, we will show one of our projects in Davao city to discuss how to polish concrete floors.

Key steps on how to polish concrete floors

Polishing the concrete floor of the San Pablo Parish ‘s chapel enhanced their interior’s ambiance. Their newly constructed chapel featured gorgeous large glass windows allowing natural light to brighten the inner spaces and give their parishioners a spacious and comfortable feel.

To maximize their use of natural light, the parish chose tiles to achieve a glossy shiny flooring. Thus, their contractors laid a concrete slab with a mixture intended for tiles. Eventually, the parish factored the durability and maintenance costs of tiles. They asked DARIV to fix their concrete slab and transform it into a high-gloss polished concrete floor.

STEP 1: INSPECTION

The Condition of the Chapel's Concrete Floor

The first step in how to polish concrete floors is inspection of both concrete slab and floor. DARIV did the initial inspection of the chapel’s concrete slab. The concrete slab refers to that flat and horizontal structural feature in modern homes and buildings made of cast concrete reinforced with steel. The quality of the concrete slab determines the quality of the polished concrete floor. Any structural damages on the slab will negatively affect the concrete floor.

Thus, before performing the concrete polishing process, professional contractors will always inspect both the floor and the underlying slab. For the San Pablo chapel, the slab was perfect. But newly installed concrete floor was soft and weak, with plenty of shrinkage cracks, crazing, and holes. Because their concrete floor cannot withstand the concrete polishing process, we had to make it harder and durable.

STEP 2: FLOOR PREPARATION

Preparing the Chapel's Concrete Floor

The next step in polishing concrete floors is floor preparation. To prep the concrete floor, we began by reducing surface dust and grinding the floor with 16 grit diamonds. We worked our way up to 80 grit polish until their surface floor was clean, level, and even. After grinding the surface, we patched up all the holes and cracks.

To prep the concrete floor, we began by reducing surface dust and grinding the floor with 16 grit diamonds. We worked our way up to 80 grit polish until their surface floor was clean, level, and even.

STEP 3: FLOOR HARDENING AND GRINDING

The next steps in how to polish concrete floors are densifying and grinding. Once the patching material dried, we applied special densifiers to harden the concrete surface. Densifiers also sealed the concrete to reduce moisture and keep mold and mildew from forming. Then we grinded the floor again using finer grits until the surface was flatter and smoother.

Once the patching material dried, we applied special densifiers to harden the concrete surface. Densifiers also sealed the concrete to reduce moisture and keep mold and mildew from forming. Then we grinded the floor again using finer grits until the surface was flatter and smoother.

STEP 4: POLISHING

Achieving a High-gloss Polished Concrete Floor

Polishing the floor is the final step in how to polish concrete floors. When polishing the concrete floor we grinded the floor with finer grits until it achieved the gloss level wanted by the parish.

We are happy to say the parish was cheerfully satisfied with our work. Their polished concrete floor was a splendid match for their interior design, giving the chapel a modern, cozy, yet sacred ambiance. And before turning over the project, we gave them tips on how to maintain their polished concrete floor.

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