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You really cant polish existing concrete slabs. You can paint it masonry paint. Or clean it with a mild acid then seal it.
Thanks. I would be fine pouring an additional few inches of new concrete on top of the old and then polishing the new. There is a substantial step down into the sunroom from the neighboring living room, so I wouldn't need to worry about the floor grades not matching up.
Thanks. I would be fine pouring an additional few inches of new concrete on top of the old and then polishing the new. There is a substantial step down into the sunroom from the neighboring living room, so I wouldn't need to worry about the floor grades not matching up.
From what I understand, you can determine much of the finish of a concrete slab when it is poured. There are various finishing techniques that can be used.
Not sure what you mean by "polished" but keep in mind that any smooth, hard surface can be very slippery. Especially when wet. You might want to consider some level of texture. Years ago I knew someone who "smoothed out" their concrete entry steps. It was very dangerous whenever it became wet.
The stamped concrete idea already mentioned is a good one. Something to look at.
You might also consider epoxy. I did my basement and a garage with an epoxy finish and am very happy with how it came out. There are many colors, giving you a variety of options. It has a smooth finish, but still offers some traction, even when wet.
Epoxy is something you can do yourself and the cost if reasonable. It is essentially painting the floor. Your biggest issue would be cleaning and etching the old floor to remove anything which would cause the epoxy not to adhere well.
If you are still pouring a new floor, you would have to wait a few months for the concrete to fully cure. If you don't want to do it yourself, the company pouring the concrete may offer that service.
Epoxy is something you can do yourself and the cost if reasonable. It is essentially painting the floor. Your biggest issue would be cleaning and etching the old floor to remove anything which would cause the epoxy not to adhere well.
I want to look into this, I have quite a few areas on my basement floor and walls where there is efflorescence, that powdery buildup that you see. Will I be able to go over that with the epoxy?
I want to look into this, I have quite a few areas on my basement floor and walls where there is efflorescence, that powdery buildup that you see. Will I be able to go over that with the epoxy?
No. The concrete must be well cleaned and etched prior to putting down epoxy. Any dirt or oils will cause the epoxy to not adhere well. You really want to make sure you prep the floor correctly. If you do, you will end up with a very good finish that lasts a long time.
It's no different than painting a wall. You start with a well prepped and clean wall - you don't use paint to "fix" a problem.
Also, I highly suggest a two-part epoxy. There are one-part products that seem easier to use, but they don't work as well.
The cleaning of floors and application of epoxy seems more difficult than it actually is. Check out some YouTube videos and read the directions.
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