Do you understand how damage contractors operate? Many people do not have a good understanding of the industry. This lack of knowledge can cause confusion when people need to use the services offered by damage contractors. Before I hired a team of damage contractors, I didn't know the first thing about damage contractors. Thankfully, the blokes who came to repair my damaged home took the time to fully explain their role and the work they would be carrying out. Over a couple of weeks when the team were working on the job, they also gave me lots of top tips and advice
While concrete floors last for years, they can develop problems over time. You might see signs of damage or wear on the surface that tell you that the floor needs some repair or maintenance work.
How can you tell if the concrete floor in your warehouse has a problem?
1. Crack and Holes
A concrete floor should be smooth and even. However, damage and age can cause cracks and holes in the surface. Sometimes, this isn't a problem. Concrete surfaces often develop minor movement or settlement cracks. However, if you have bigger cracks that start to open up, then you need to have the floor checked out. A crack that exposes the lower levels of the concrete could allow moisture inside the floor. This moisture could affect the concrete's stability.
Holes can give you the same problem. Even if you know how the hole happened — for example, if someone dropped something heavy on the floor — you need to make the surface good again.
Remember that large cracks and holes are also a safety hazard. Your forklifts and other vehicles could get damaged if they have to run over uneven floors; people could have accidents as they walk around.
2. Flakes and Pits
Sometimes, the surface layer of a concrete floor starts to flake off or develop tiny pit holes. If you've painted or sealed the surface, then the coating might be degrading. Here, you can typically strip back the floor to restore its surface. You can then repaint or reseal it to make it sound again.
You also sometimes see flaking or pitting on unsealed or unpainted floors. This is often down to a process called spalling. Usually, this happens when the floor has some moisture inside it.
If the temperature in your warehouse is cold, then this water freezes and expands. This process forces holes into the surface.
If you have spalling in a small area, then you might need a patch fix. More widespread problems might need a resurface or, in extreme cases, a new floor.
3. Stains and Marks
Spills and dirt leave obvious stains on concrete floors. Sometimes, you'll notice a new stain that comes out of nowhere.
For example, if your floor seems to have damp patches and nobody has spilled anything in those areas, then you might have an internal moisture problem. Or, if your floor has white patches on it, then its moisture content might be so high that the concrete effloresces and releases salts on its surface.
In these cases, you need expert help to diagnosis the problem and work out the best fix. To find out more about these or other concrete floor problems, contact warehouse floor repair and maintenance contractors.
Share19 July 2021
