Concrete is an incredibly popular building material because of its resiliency. However, as strong as it may be, it isn’t infallible. Over time, untreated concrete in high-traffic areas is prone to degradation, including concrete spalling. But what exactly is spalling, and how does it impact your home? 

In this blog, we’ll discuss what this common concrete occurrence is and what you can do to protect your concrete slab from harm. 

What is Concrete Spalling? 

Concrete spalling is the chipping, flaking, or breaking of the surface of a concrete structure. You may notice this spalling on older concrete surfaces as the top layer begins to crumble away, exposing the rougher materials underneath. There are many places where homeowners may notice spalling across their property, including walkways, driveways, patios, garages, and foundations. 

The Risk of Spalling

While concrete spalling might seem like a minor cosmetic problem, it can pose a significant risk to you and your loved ones if left unaddressed. Structurally, spalling weakens the integrity of your concrete over time, leading to an increase in damage as this goes unchecked. Concrete spalling may also allow increased moisture absorption, accelerating degradation.

In more extreme cases, spalling can pose a safety risk. If there is spalling in high-traffic areas like walkways, you may notice an increase in trip-and-fall accidents as people walk across this surface. This is especially concerning for young children and elderly individuals, who are more prone to potential trip-and-fall incidents. 

Finally, concrete spalling can majorly impact the appearance of your home. If you take great pride in your curb appeal, spalling can take away from your efforts. It may make your home look less than ideal and can lead to potential fines if you live in an HOA. 

How Does it Happen? 

There are a number of reasons why you may be experiencing concrete spalling. The most common include environmental factors, improper installation, and chemical reactions. Some major causes of spalling include: 

• The Freeze-Thaw Cycle: If you live in a place that experiences below-freezing temperatures throughout winter, water may make its way into the cracks in your concrete and freeze. As it freezes, your concrete slab expands, increasing your risk of experiencing spalling. 
• Poor Mix or Installation: If you use an inexpensive concrete mix, don’t follow the provided instructions when mixing it, or don’t provide adequate time for the surface to cure, you may be at an increased risk of spalling. 
• Chemical Exposure: Untreated concrete is incredibly porous, and exposing this surface to harsh chemicals like rock salt and acidic substances can cause the surface to break down, leading to premature deterioration. 
• Physical Impacts: If the concrete on your property deals with frequent foot traffic, heavy loads, or accidental drops, this can weaken the surface and lead to an increased risk of spalling over time. 

How to Prevent Concrete Spalling

There are a few things you can do if you’re going to install a new concrete slab on your property and want to prevent future spalling. Some of the best ways to minimize your risk of concrete spalling include: 

• Proper Installation: The easiest way to prevent spalling is by ensuring you use a high-quality concrete mix and that it is poured and cured correctly. If you are installing the concrete yourself, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid improper concrete-to-water ratios. 
• Cut Joints Early: Joints are an essential part of your concrete slab, allowing movement and preventing cracks. However, when pouring a new slab, it is essential that you cut joints between 6 and 18 hours after pouring. Choosing to cut into the slab after this point may result in crack formation. 
• Ensure Proper Drainage: If water sits stagnant across a concrete slab, it can lead to concrete spalling. When pouring a new slab, ensure the surface is properly slopped and there are no low points in the center to allow water to drain adequately, preventing this unsightly and frustrating damage. 
• Seal the Concrete: Once the slab has had adequate time to cure, consider investing in a floor coating. Polyaspartic and epoxy coatings protect your concrete from drop damage, prevent cracks, and help you avoid spalling. However, remember to allow at least one month of curing time before installing the coating to avoid compromising the structural integrity. 

Preventing Concrete Damage with Professional Coatings

Whether you’ve just invested in a new concrete slab or you want to protect an existing surface, our team at Solid Custom Floor Coatings is here to help you every step of the way. Our top-of-the-line products are the perfect solution to help you prevent unsightly and costly damage to your concrete floors. For years, we’ve helped homeowners and businesses across the Denver area protect their floors from unsightly damage. From your garage to commercial spaces, we’re equipped to treat it all. 

When you’re ready to install a floor coating to prevent concrete spalling, don’t hesitate to contact our team for support. 

Concrete surfaces are popular for their durability, functionality, and versatility. Whether it’s a patio, driveway, garage floor, or basement, homeowners often look for ways to enhance its appearance or protect it from wear and tear. While it might seem simple and straightforward to paint your concrete, it comes with many problems that can cost you time, money, and effort in the long run. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss why you need to avoid painting your concrete and help you find a better solution for your residential or commercial space.  

1. Painted Concrete is High Maintenance

When you invest in a high-quality concrete floor coating, you don’t have to worry about reapplication for many years or, in some cases, decades. Unlike specialized concrete coatings, painted concrete surfaces need regular upkeep. The wear and tear from foot traffic, weather, or heavy loads can lead to frequent touch-ups or complete repainting every few years. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance option, you may be severely disappointed when paint doesn’t provide that. 

2. Paint Chips and Peels

If your concrete floors look a little old or dingy, you might think painting them is a great way to restore their appearance. However, painted concrete isn’t durable and is prone to damage after extended use. Concrete is porous and subject to moisture and temperature fluctuations, which can cause paint to peel, crack, or chip. This can leave your surface looking worn and require frequent maintenance or repainting.

3. Painting is More Challenging Than You Assume

Painting your concrete floors might seem like a straightforward project, especially if you’ve painted the walls in your home before. However, it is far more complex than painting a wall. Before you can paint your concrete floors, you’ll need to patch any cracks or chips across the floor, which can be difficult if you don’t have any experience in the area. Instead of attempting this, investing in a floor coating may be best. 

4. Painted Concrete Isn’t Customizable

Some floor coating products like epoxy are incredibly customizable, helping you achieve your desired aesthetic. This is great if you want to create a unique space. However, when you choose to paint your concrete floor, it isn’t as customizable as these floor coating options. Unless you are incredibly artistic, you may struggle to find a customized design that perfectly fits your style. 

5. Painting Requires Specialized Paint

If you are preparing to paint your concrete floors, you might think the extra gallon of paint you have lying around is the right product for this project. However, if you want to paint your concrete, you need to be willing to invest in the more expensive concrete-specific products. If you don’t want to purchase these products, you may be disappointed when the paint isn’t equipped to handle the friction your floors are exposed to. 

6. Paint isn’t as Durable as Other Options

When you install a floor coating on your concrete floors, the coating bonds to the floor. Polyaspartic coatings, for example, bond to the free lime in your concrete, creating calcium silicate hydrate. This compound ensures the coating doesn’t budge. However, when you paint your concrete, it doesn’t bond as effectively as professional coatings, making it less durable under heavy use. This is especially troubling in garages, patios, or high-traffic areas.

7. Paint Provides Very Limited Protection

If you are considering painting your concrete floors, you might be thinking about how this will protect your floors from damage down the line. However, while this might seem like a good way to protect your floors, paint offers little protection against UV rays, moisture, chemicals, or stains. This lack of protection leaves your floors vulnerable to damage, such as cracking, discoloration, and mold growth.

8. Painted Concrete is Prone to Moisture Problems

Concrete is incredibly porous, absorbing and then releasing any water it may come in contact with. On its own, this absorption and release can create problems like potential efflorescence. However, when you paint your concrete floors, the situation worsens. As the moisture attempts to escape, it gets stuck under the paint. This moisture release may result in bubbling, cracking, or structural issues over time. 

9. Paint May Be More Costly in the Long-Term

When people paint their concrete floors, they often do so to save some money while upgrading their floors. However, this might not be cost-effective. It may be more affordable to paint your concrete floors at first; however, it can quickly add up as you repeatedly fix any chips or cracks. With all the essential repairs to ensure your floor looks its best, this is likely less economical than if you invested in a high-quality concrete coating. 

10. Paint Releases VOCs

Some paints can release harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the environment, especially during application and curing. These compounds can be incredibly detrimental to the health of you and your loved ones. At first, this may lead to nose, throat, and eye irritation. However, over time, you’ll become nauseous and experience frequent headaches and loss of coordination. If you want to avoid these health risks, it’s best to consider other flooring options. 

Don’t Paint Your Concrete, Turn to Solid Custom Floor Coatings

While you may want to paint your concrete floors, it isn’t the best option for protecting them. Instead of painting your floors, turn to Solid Custom Floor Coatings for our reliable floor coating options. With our various materials, colors, and designs, we’re confident that we have a floor coating that is perfect for protecting the floors in your home or business. No matter what you’re looking for, we’re certain that we’re the right team for you.

If you would like to speak to a team member about our floor coating products or are ready to schedule a floor coating installation, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.