Basic HTML Version
Free Technical Assistance... 800-873-2000
© 2011
2
Gabriel First Corp. • East Rochester, NY 14445-0191
Clean—Remove Soil
To best define
Clean
, the surface to
which a product is to be applied must be in a
condition that will allow a fully-connected
bond between the primer and concrete.
A100% bond must be from the final top coat
all the way down into the concrete voids.
That said, there are conditions that can
weaken a bond—general soil, excess oil,
grease, and/or fat impregnation, excess
concrete dust, paint or high-build epoxy,
silicone residue, etc.
Moisture Testing &
Corrective Actions
(
Optional
)
As moisture vapors move up in the concrete,
soluble alkaline materials such as sodium,
potassiumand calciumhydroxides alsomove.
As corrosive materials become concentrated
in the upper portions of the concrete,
they can damage the flooring systems or
the concrete itself. The damage may be
evidenced by coating separation, surface
crumbling, moisture vapor bubbles, adhesive
breakdown (e.g. black oozing around floor
covering seams), and mold or staining.
The goal of moisture vapor remediation
is to keep excessive moisture and soluble
corrosive alkalinity isolated from the
flooring system by creating a strong
moisture barrier on the concrete surface.
A barrier sealer must not allow moisture
vapor to push primers and coatings away
from the concrete surface.
To determine the extent of any moisture
vapor pressure, you will need to perform the
Anhydrous CalciumChlorideMoisture Test
.
The test kits are available from flooring
supply wholesalers and Internet vendors.
If testing shows moisture pressure greater
than 3 lbs., check with a Gabriel Concrete
Specialist for remediation options.
If the floor has had problems that cause
suspicion or you will be doing a sizable
area, it is well worth the time and effort
to perform the testing.
Concrete... Preparation Is Key to Success
The best concrete coating may temporarily hide a substrate’s
physical defects, but it cannot correct them... And, they will return!
Damaged substrates must be prepared correctly to ensure success.
Always begin with a perfectly clean and profiled (e.g. etched) surface.
Following the preparation, a primer must be applied to the bare concrete.
The following steps are listed in the order of normal performance.
Not all of the steps listed below are required for every job.
2
1
Filling Expansion or Control Joints
Expansion Joint
board is erected before the
pouring to form smaller slabs, provide space
for slab expansion, and help prevent cracking.
Control Joints
get cut into set concrete
to help route future cracking to the cut.
Control Joint
cutting depth should be 25%of
the depth of the slab. Cuts need to be made
a few hours after concrete placement.
Patch Cracks and/or Replace Missing
Concrete to Restore Floor Integrity
Gabriel
Con-Patch
Epoxy Mortar enables
no-breakaway patching by permanently
locking to the old concrete. Cracks less
than ½” wide and/or 2” deep need to be
opened more by using a crack chaser,
hammer drill, etc. Clean-out and vacuum
the cavity well. If on-grade floor slabs
have dropped or moved, call Gabriel for
advice on how to correct the problem.
Joint Board
Extends the
Full Depth of
the Concrete
Control
Joints
Fill cuts with Flexible Joint Compound.
Expansion Joint
1. Crack chaser opens a perfect seam.
2. Seams are filled with
Con-Patch
.
Board may be pulled and the space
filled with Flexible Joint Compound.
Cutting
Finished
