22 D+D DECEMBER 2014 Q+ Got a concrete problem? Concrete A Ask the experts:
[email protected]. By Fred Goodwin, FICRI, FACI, BASF Construction Chemicals he success or failure of any concrete coating or repair application is likely to be determined before the first drop of product ever touches the The Power of Prep surface. Surface preparation of con- Proper surface preparation on concrete means T crete is probably the most important consideration for successful coating and the difference between coating success and failure. repair material application. The Society for Protective Coatings’ ations. However, SSPC SP-13 states “An ac- scarifying, flame blasting, shotblasting, and standard SSPC SP-13/NACE No. 6 Surface ceptable prepared concrete surface should the use of surface retarders. ICRI 310.2 Preparation of Concrete defines surface be free of contaminants, laitance, loosely ad- Selecting and Specifying Concrete Surface preparation as: “The method or combina- hering concrete, and dust, and should pro- Preparation for Sealers, Coatings, Polymer tion of methods used to clean a concrete vide a sound, uniform substrate suitable for Overlays, and Concrete Repair discusses surface, remove loose and weak materials the application of protective coating or lining each method. and contaminants, repair the surface, and systems.” Whatever the method, the goal is an roughen the surface to promote adhesion.” Common concrete surface preparation acceptably prepared concrete surface. Let’s methods include abrasive blasting, acid take