Surface Preparation

Surface Preparation

Surface preparation for coatings, overlays or sealing projects can vary widely. Conditions and special requirements for preparation must be evaluated in order to determine which method or combination of methods will best suit the type of application requirements.

CDC restoration & Construction can assist you in proper preparation selection for your project. CDC can provide turn key preparation and installation service or on a preparation only basis.

Surface Preparation Methods

Shotblasting - Concrete floor coatings require proper surface preparation in order for the coating materials to obtain proper adhesion to the concrete substrate. Shotblasting is a self contained mechanical means of surface preparation, is the method strongly preferred by coating manufacturers and industry trade associations. Coating systems can fail if the thin top surface of the concrete called laitance, sealers, curing agents and other contaminants are not removed. Shotblast surface preparation is utilized to clean the concrete surface and provides a proper surface profile along with removing laitance, sealers and curing agents. Shotblast surface preparation produces very little airborne dust or contaminations do to the utilization of a filtered vacuum system. Shotblast surface preparation can produce overlap parallel striping which can reflect through thin mil coating applications. CDC Restoration with its skilled operators as well as owning a wide variety of blast and grinding equipment can minimize the striping effect.

Shotblast Preparation

Sand Blasting – is used to clean and profile concrete and metal surfaces. Sand blasting can also be utilized to remove surface contaminates, thin film brittle coatings and adhesives. Typically sand blasting generates a large volume of airborne dust which can limit the areas of usage. Water may be introduced to help reduce dust. CDC Restoration has soda blasting capabilities that can be utilized for those specialized projects even indoors.

Sandblast In Progress	Sandblast Complete

Detergent Scrubbing - suitable for superficial removal of oil, grease, organic or inorganic residues some acrylic, wax, or rubber membranes, rust, and other oxidant deposits from concrete surfaces.

Low-Pressure Water Cleaning – primarily used to rinse away dirt, dust, or loose debris. Generally considered to be less than 5,000 psi.

Acid Etching – used to slightly profile (etch) the surface cement paste. Utilized to clean and condition concrete surfaces prior to application of thin film sealers or coatings. Not suitable preparation for coating systems greater than 10 mils. Environmental factors should be considered when utilizing this method.

Grinding – dependant upon the selection of equipment and or abrasives, grinding is utilized to clean and remove deposits or coatings, edge, level, remove surface irregularities, remove rust, efflorescence and prepare surfaces. Often times grinding is utilized in combination with shot blasting.

Scarifying – is the usages of a rotary action of toothed cutters that impact the surface at right angles to fracture or pulverize the concrete surface. Scarifying is primarily used to remove brittle coatings or toppings, removal of high spots and preparation for thick coatings or overlays.

Hydro Blasting (Ultra High Pressure Water Jetting) – is water that is sprayed at pressures between 5,000 and 45,000 psi to remove heavy encrustations of dirt and loose friable material, laitance, scale and efflorescence. This method can also be utilized to surface profile and remove unsound concrete as well as removal of some coatings. CDC Restoration owns and operates hydro blasting capabilities of up to 20,000psi.

Scabbling – is the impacting of the concrete substrate at a right angle with piston-driven cutting heads to create a chipping and pounding action. Scabbling is primarily used to remove brittle coatings, profile concrete surfaces.

CDC Restoration & Construction LLC... can help you to develop and prioritize specific criteria to determine your projects objectives and performance requirements.

CDC can utilize its professionally trained and experienced personnel combined with its large inventory of repair and preparation equipment for a successfully completed project.

For any questions about concrete restoration, protection, and repair, send e-mail to: info@cdcrestoration.com, or call us at 801-261-8525, toll free 800-621-8525