Did you know that the first concrete highway was built
In 1909 in Greenfield Township, Detroit?
Today, concrete is utilized all around us,
Including underneath our elegant wood or lushly carpeted floor surfaces.
If you are living in a very old home you might be surprised
To find beautiful hardwood floors underneath your carpets or linoleum
But if your home was built after World War II,
Chances are you were granted a concrete floor.
Concrete is so strong and versatile that treated,
Stained and naked concrete flooring is fast gaining popularity in the American home.
Concrete floors are not only easy to clean and extremely durable
But are also extremely water-resistant when properly sealed.
It also works well with radiant heating, absorbing the heat
And cutting down on utility bills.
Despite concrete floors boasting a number of advantages which include
A low installation cost of as little as $2 per square foot,
Concrete decay is a big concern in both urban
As well as residential areas across the US.

Moisture Can Result In Ruined Floors

Moisture can cause severe degeneration in concrete floors.
Moisture can manifest itself in your concrete flooring in two ways.
The first is the volume of water that is used to mix the cement
Into the concrete while the second is in the form of external water sources
Such as groundwater seeping up through foundation of the home, water vapor,
As well as pooled water from burst pipes.
Damp concrete flooring can cause significant problems, especially when carpets,
Tiles or wooden flooring is installed on top of it.
Adhesives can fail, wood and carpet can become discolored
And rot and tiles can loosen and break.

Adequate sealing is paramount when looking to
Prevent your concrete floor from becoming damp
As does mitigating issues such as
Leaking pipes and poor soil drainage.
Accurate concrete moisture measurement can be achieved
With relative humidity testing which will enable you to
Determine whether the moisture contained within the concrete
Is compatible with your chosen flooring type.

Concrete Is Prone To Cracking

Even the most expertly-installed concrete floor may be prone
To developing cracks over time.
Cracking is usually a result of moisture,
Changes in temperature and settling.
While colored cement paste and other patching materials can
Adequately help disguise cracks
It will not address the underlying problem.
Concrete cracks will often widen over time,
Resulting in water seepage as well as
The possible loss of structural integrity.

You can attempt to reduce the prevalence of cracks by
Reducing the water content in your concrete mix.
A lower water content will increase the durability of the concrete
While reducing the occurrence of cracks.
Using quality building materials will furthermore limit
The shrinkage of the concrete while avoiding admixtures such as
Accelerators that promote shrinkage should be avoided at all times.
A quality concrete sealer can further prevent the formation of cracks
By preventing any moisture from penetrating the material.

Dusting Can Turn Into A Real Eyesore

Have you ever swept or washed your garage floor
Only to have it appear dusty the very next day?
Even after a thorough clean, you will end up with a white,
Powdery residue on your feet if you had to walk over it.
This occurrence is known as dusting
And is caused by the gradual disintegration of a weakened
Top-layer of the concrete, a problem which can be exacerbated by
Heavy foot traffic, cars, and even cleaning.
The most common cause of the disintegration is an excess
Of bleed water at the surface of the concrete
During the finishing process.
To prevent and reduce dusting is easy – you simply have to seal
Your floor with a suitable sealer that will strengthen
The weakened surface layer of the concrete,
Eliminating the dusting effect.

By taking care of your concrete floors
From as early as the installation process,
You can ensure that the possibility of damage and decay
Is significantly reduced.
Prevention is always better (and cheaper) than cure
And by making sure that your concrete is adequately sealed
To prevent cracking and dusting you can spare yourself
A lot of frustration later on.