A worker applies the primer to the concrete floor.
By Juan DeLeon Concrete Flooring • Concrete Resealing • Concrete Restoration 0 Comments

How to Refinish Concrete Floors for a Lasting Finish

Refinishing concrete floors is an excellent way to give your home or business a fresh, modern look. Concrete floors are extremely durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear over time. Refinishing them with a long-lasting finish will ensure that your floors look great for years to come. In this article, we’ll show you how to refinish concrete floors with a long-lasting finish for a beautiful and durable flooring solution.

Step 1: Cleaning the Floor

The first step in refinishing concrete floors is to clean them. This should be done with a commercial-grade cleaner and a scrub brush. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies of the floor, as this will help to remove any dirt, debris, and grime that has built up over time. Once the floor is clean, allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: Sanding the Surface

Once the floor is dry, you’ll need to sand the surface. This will help to create a smooth, even surface for the new finish to adhere to. You should use a coarse-grit sandpaper for this task, as it will remove any imperfections or blemishes from the surface. If you have large areas that need to be sanded, you may want to rent a floor sander to make the job easier.

Step 3: Applying a Primer

Once you’ve sanded the floor, the next step is to apply a primer. This will help to ensure that the new finish sticks to the concrete properly. Make sure to use a primer that is designed specifically for concrete floors, as this will help to create a strong bond between the floor and the finish. Allow the primer to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Applying the Finish

Now that the primer is dry, you can apply the finish of your choice. The type of finish you choose will largely depend on the look you’re trying to achieve. Some popular options include epoxy, polyurethane, and acrylic. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying the finish, as this will ensure a long-lasting, beautiful finish.

Step 5: Sealing the Floor

Once the finish has been applied and allowed to dry completely, the next step is to seal the floor. This will help to protect the finish and ensure that it lasts for many years. You can use a sealant that is designed specifically for concrete floors, as this will provide the best protection. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying the sealant, as this will ensure that it adheres properly and provides the best protection.

Conclusion

Refinishing concrete floors is an excellent way to give your home or business a fresh, modern look. By following the steps outlined above, you can refinish concrete floors with a long-lasting finish that will look great and provide a durable flooring solution for years to come. So, if you’re looking for a way to give your floors a makeover, refinishing concrete floors is a great option.

By Juan DeLeon Concrete Flooring • Concrete Resealing • Concrete Restoration • • 0 Comments

Why It Is Worth Resealing Your Restaurant’s Concrete Floor

Concrete floors don’t have the best reputation. To the untrained eye, they seem dull and drab; there’s nothing flashy about them. They also seem unfinished as, generally, some tiles or carpets are used to cover the concrete floor. However, commercial businesses can gain a lot from flooring restoration. Fort Lauderdale sees a lot of restaurants with concrete floors, and thus sealing or resealing can be beneficial for them.

 

In commercial settings like restaurants, the stress on the floors is much greater than you would find in a home. Depending on the number of people visiting your restaurant, the pressure on your concrete floors will be immense. If the floor caters to heavy pots, pans, and machinery, you will see cracks at its edges in due time.

 

Polished and well-decorated floors are slowly growing in popularity. The article below will inform you why it’s worth resealing your restaurant’s concrete floors.

 

1. Better Resistance

We mentioned before that restaurant floors face a lot of stress. People are constantly walking about or sitting at tables. Depending on the traffic your restaurant sees, the stress can be immense. Restaurant floors also handle a lot of equipment and machinery. Machines like deep fryers, stoves, and ovens are great in number. The number is likely to increase the impact on the floor. Restoring concrete floors will provide them with better resistance. A smooth and level floor can also mean that the water will not remain on the floor and can be mopped easily.

2. It Inhibits Mold

You may not think there could be any major problems with unfinished concrete. However, that is not the case. Water can find its way into the concrete floor, and with the heat of the restaurant, a mold problem may develop in the concrete. Mold can be very bad for business, especially in a restaurant. You might have to shut down your restaurant to get rid of the mold, which will cost you a lot of time and money. Thus, you should conduct a floor restoration. Fort Lauderdale is also moist and hummus and so you don’t want something like mold to be given a chance to grow as removing it could become a monumental task.

3. It Is Safer and Clean

Sealed concrete is easier to clean. You don’t have to worry about spilling food all over the floor as you can clean it up with relative ease. The floor’s surface is also smoother, which means that dust is unlikely to settle into uncomfortable crevices. Thus cleaning up and making sure that everything is clean is more quick and efficient.

Unfinished concrete floors are also not even. This means that servers and waiters can lose their footing easily in a restaurant. It could mean more serious accidents with customers and among staff. It could bring the general service of the restaurant down. Additionally, open concrete floors also allow for a greater presence of bacteria since they are difficult to clean. So they are also not as safe.

4. It Is Aesthetically Pleasing

Sealing your restaurant floor is a way to make it much more pretty. Even if you’re going for a more rustic vibe, sealing the concrete floor can make the vibe much more healthy. Some owners use the sealing to redecorate and give a striking finish. You can opt for a sealant that has a different color or shade to match the vibe you’re going for. The sealant makes the overall surface much shinier and thus appealing.

5. It Increases Durability

Many things can go wrong when you’re working in a restaurant. Many people are hustling and bustling about. Machines can fall, pots clang to the floor, and plates may shatter. On some days, all three may happen at once. However, you deserve to have flooring that can handle these impacts without a scrape. An unsealed concrete floor will chip and get destroyed at the slightest problem. However, sealing in the concrete helps to act as a protectant.

There will be fewer chances of cracks and scratches with a sealed floor. Thus, a sealed floor is likely to last much longer than an unsealed one. It can last up to thirty years.

 

DeLeon Terrazzo Floor Restoration – For All Your Flooring Needs

DeLeon Floor Restoration has been around for over thirty years. We are experts in all things concerned with flooring. We come with a solid reputation and expertise in floor care and restoration and commercial cleaning services. However, our best service is how well we do floor restoration. Fort Lauderdale is home to many restaurants that can benefit from our service.

 

If you want to seal your contract floor, contact us at (954) 947-3114 or visit us at www.deleonrestoration.com.

Concrete Floor Polishing Ft. Lauderdale | Concrete Flooring Near Me
By Juan DeLeon Concrete Flooring • Concrete Grinding Contractors • Concrete Resealing • Concrete Restoration 0 Comments

Types of Concrete Sealant for Your Business

Concrete sealers are essential for your business, especially if you want to ensure long-term durability and control. Depending on the nature of your business, you can choose from a variety of concrete sealers that work best for you. 

If you want to revamp your existing concrete floor, there are several options for construction cleanup in Fort Lauderdale. Let’s hop right in and see what types of concrete sealants are in the market.  

What Are Concrete Sealants 

Concrete sealers are comprised of chemical matter specifically designed to protect concrete surfaces from straining, spillage, wear and tear, erosion, and temperature disparity. They cover the surface with a strong layer of protection to enhance durability.  

Types of Concrete Sealants  

The two broad categories of sealants are film-forming and penetrating. Each of these categories has a range of sealant options that come with their own set of benefits and applicability.  

Film-Forming Sealers 

These sealants are known as surface-coaters or topical sealers that adhere to the pores of the concrete and create a protective layer on the entire surface. It works great against moisture and spillage. The three sub-categories within film-forming sealers are as follows: 

Acrylic Sealers:  

Acrylic sealers are the more popular choice amongst other sealers due to their cost-efficient nature. They form a thin protective layer on the surface and work well against moisture. Application and process are easy and quite straightforward. They come in a variety of sheen levels to achieve the desired result. 

For outdoor settings, solvent-based acrylic sealers work better than water-based ones. They are relatively easier to recoat since they don’t require extra prep time. Water-based sealers are environment-friendly as they don’t release harmful vapors and are more durable than the two.  

Polyurethane Sealers: 

These versatile sealers provide incredible hard-wearing protection in interior and exterior applications. This non-yellowing sealant is the desired choice in areas with high foot traffic as it protects against moisture and chemicals. You can choose from several gloss levels too. 

Polyurethane sealers are almost twice as thick as their acrylic counterparts and form a highly durable protective film on the surface. They protect against abrasion and are chemical-resistant. Ideal for areas with high foot traffic, these sealers prevent scuffs and staining. 

Epoxy Sealers: 

Epoxy sealers are used for interior and exterior applications. It has a hard, long-wearing, and chemical-resistant finish. These sealers offer a great variety in terms of pigment and sheen. They are water-repellant and are ideal to be used on concrete countertops. Considerably harder than acrylics, they make an excellent choice in food-prep areas. 

However, epoxies may become yellow over time with UV exposure and are more effective for interior applications. They can also be used on decorative floors, providing a glossy sheen to enrich the colors and designs.  

Penetrating Sealants  

Penetrating sealants, as the name suggests, penetrate the capillaries of the cement surface with their chemical formula. This forms a breathable, protective barrier right below the actual surface without coating on top.   

For frictional surfaces like walkways or driveways, penetrating sealants are preferred. The glossy sheen or slipperiness that comes with film-forming sealants is avoided, thus improving the durability of the concrete surface.  

Silane Sealers: 

These sealers allow deeper penetration into the surface due to their small molecular structure. They are extremely high-performance and are used for heavy-duty purposes such as parking garages, bridge decks, and more.  

They are ideal for protection against moisture, dirt, erosion, and salts. They are generally not recommended for porous surfaces due to their chemical build. However, the solid content of these sealers is much higher than other sealants.  

Siliconate Sealers: 

Siliconate sealers have a medium molecular structure making them ideal for dense and porous surfaces alike. They penetrate the cementitious surface to create a breathable layer that protects against moisture, salts, and dirt.  

Siliconate sealers are also used as a curing agent applied to a freshly placed concrete surface. They work best for surfaces, including driveways, sidewalks, shop and warehouse floors, etc.  

Silicate Sealers: 

These sealers have two further subdivisions, namely, lithium and sodium sealers. They penetrate the surface and chemically react to form a permanent structure resembling a crystalline structure. Silicate sealers are used to increase concrete surfaces’ strength, density, and durability.  

Parting Thoughts  

Depending on the nature of your business, foot traffic, indoors or outdoors environment, the type of concrete sealant you use will differ. If you want to restore your existing concrete surfaces, head over to De Leon Restoration and Cleaning Contractors and book them for construction cleanup. Fort Lauderdale residents can benefit from their three decades worth of experience.  

If you’re looking for commercial carpet cleaning in Fort Lauderdale, De Leon is your go-to option.  

Concrete Restoration Fort Lauderdale, FL | Concrete Restoration Company
By Juan DeLeon Concrete Resealing • Driveway Resealing 0 Comments

When You Can Use Your Driveway After Resealing

Sealing your driveway is one part of driveway maintenance that you absolutely cannot neglect. Resealing will act as a protective layer and will keep your driveway in good condition so it can withstand the elements and last its full lifespan, rather than deteriorate prematurely. After our team performs concrete resealing in Fort Lauderdale, one of the questions we always get is when will the driveway be suitable to drive on.

It’s important that you allow it to dry for several hours before use. In this article, we will go into more detail, share valuable information on what to do before your driveway is resealed, and why you should hire a professional instead of doing it yourself. 

How Often Should I Reseal My Driveway?

We recommend resealing your driveway every two years to maintain its structural integrity and add an extra layer of protection. Doing it once every two years better protects it against the elements, vehicle and foot traffic, and anything else that can cause it to erode. Because a resealed driveway improves curb appeal, you can do it more often if you would like.  

When To Use Your Driveway After It Is Sealed?

The answer to this question varies because the weather is a significant factor. In South Florida, where there is usually plenty of sunlight, you can walk on your driveway approximately 2 to 4 hours after we have restored your concrete. We recommend that you wait 48 hours before parking your car, but again, because of the sunny conditions in South Florida, it can be driven on 12 to 24 hours after our team has sealed it. However, it won’t have as professional a finish as when you wait the full 48 hours.

It may be sunny in South Florida, but it is also humid. If you request our services on a humid day, we recommend you wait at least 72 hours before use. Even if the surface appears dry 48 hours later, it will still be wet underneath.

We understand that waiting 72 hours can be a minor inconvenience, which is why we recommend you contact DeLeon Restoration on a day where the temperature is high but the humidity is low. This is an ideal weather condition for resealing your driveway.

Prepare Your Driveway Before Our Services

There are some things you can do before your driveway gets sealed that will ensure a successful job. First, we recommend that you thoroughly clean it the day before sealing. There shouldn’t be any traces of dust, dirt, debris, or stains on the day of. You can also power wash it to remove any deposits that you can’t see but are embedded deep in the cracks. This may not seem like a big deal, but if anything is left behind, the sealant adheres to the concrete less effectively. Lastly, we recommend filling in all cracks present in your driveway.

While you may think you can easily handle the project on your own, we always recommend hiring a professional for their knowledge and years of experience required to handle the job quickly and correctly. 

Our Process

At DeLeon, we have developed a proprietary 10-step process to grind and polish concrete. This intensive process requires a lot of work but it ensures that each concrete floor we complete has a smooth, even, and beautiful appearance. Our process includes the addition of densifiers and sealers to ensure a concrete floor that not only looks great but is resistant to cracking, chipping, and stains for years to come.  Finally, our sealers are offered in a matte finish to ultra-high gloss and everything in between.

Contact DeLeon Floor Restoration & Commercial Cleaning

Founded over 30 years ago, today, DeLeon is known for its honest work ethic, solid reputation, and expertise in the areas of floor care, restoration, and commercial cleaning services. For 30 years, DeLeon has been the company that professionals trust to get the job done properly, on time, and at the right price throughout greater Fort Lauderdale and South Florida. For concrete resealing in Fort Lauderdale, contact DeLeon. Call (954) 420-6951 for a free estimate.