Things To Consider When Painting Concrete Floors
If you have a concrete floor in your house, there are several ways to make them look a bit more finished. Tile, carpet, vinyl floors, and linoleum can be an expensive way to cover up concrete, especially if the space you want to spruce up is rather large. Whether you are considering revamping the floors in your basement or garage painting your concrete floors can be an inexpensive solution. If you want to paint your concrete floors there are a few things to keep in mind.
Painting Concrete Floors Requires Some Preparation
Before you tackle the job of painting your concrete floors, you need to do a thorough inspection of the area you want to paint. Make sure that there are no cracks, chips, or even small holes in the floor. If there are any rough spots, these will also need to be taken care of before you can paint concrete floors. If the cracks are small you can probably take care of them yourself, using products found in your local hardware store, however if the cracks are substantial or in several places, it is best to call in a contractor that specializes in concrete repair.
If you are planning to paint a concrete floor that was recently installed, you need to wait at least a month to give the concrete time to cure. This will also allow you to make sure that no moisture is able to seep through the concrete.
Once the concrete has cured, or if you are painting an older concrete floor, do a moisture check prior to painting. This is simple to do by tightly taping a plastic sheet to the floor for 24 hours. If at the end of 24 hours, no condensation has formed on the plastic you can be assured that your floors don't suffer from excessive moisture. Even if your floors pass the moisture test, it is a good idea to prime them with a good water sealer or use a paint that is created for keeping moisture out of concrete.
Painting Concrete Floors Can Be Decorative
There are many decorative options when it comes to painting concrete floors. Some contractors specialize in this art form and can actually paint a concrete floor to have the look of marble, granite, or even tile. The look is so realistic, that many people are opting to forgo carpet or expensive flooring in their home and choosing instead to have painted concrete floors.
