The Do's and Don'ts of Floor Coverings

This article is based on an episode of the WORX+ TechTalk series. You can watch the full episode here.

In this WORX+ TechTalk article, we’ll be discussing the use of floor coverings on polished concrete. Though many concrete grinders and polishers are not the ones installing floor coverings, it’s something the WORX+ team have been hearing about from customers - so we’re going to dig into the topic.

WHAT ARE THEY?

Floor coverings are put on polished concrete to protect it before handover to the client. People are using different materials to cover their floors:

• Plastic
• MDF then plastic
• Painter’s cloth
• Ramboard
• Cardboard
• Random bits of material found onsite

All these materials have different effects on flooring outcomes, effects you really don’t want.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH FLOOR COVERINGS?

Let’s talk through a scenario.

You’ve just finished your floor, and it looks beautiful. Other work needs to be done in the space, so the builder or homeowner puts Ramboard over it for the 3 to 5 months it takes for the work to be completed. The floor might look okay when the Ramboard is first pulled up, but a few months down the track, you can see dull spots on the floor, it’s hard to keep clean, and it easily etches and stains. What’s happened?

For those 3 to 5 months, your concrete has not been able to breathe, and moisture has been trapped between the covering and the concrete.

This is because concrete is very permeable and has a lot of moisture coming through it. Ramboard and cardboard rolls are also known to leave debris and particles on your floor. Not only that, the impregnating sealer needs at least 72 hours to cure. If the Ramboard was put down before the sealer had enough time to cure, the process has not been completed. It is also likely the moisture has reactivated the densifier which hasn't fully reacted with the concrete, compromising the densifier's ability to harden and dust-proof the surface. This trapped moisture, incomplete curing and reactivated densifier can seriously affect the performance of your floor.

SHOULD WE USE FLOOR COVERINGS?

The best way to protect a polished concrete floor is to avoid covering it altogether. However, this is not always possible.

We recommend avoiding floor coverings or using breathable coverings and removing them as soon as possible. There’s a test the WORX+ team do to figure which floor covering to use if you must use one. It all comes down to understanding that concrete needs to breathe. You can test whether the covering you want to use will let your concrete breathe by putting the material over your face. If you can still breathe after 10 minutes, so will your concrete!

No, this is not a joke, and because it’s not a joke, please do not put plastic over your head for 10 minutes. We hope you’ve realised plastic isn’t a suitable covering, our job is half done!

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

When it comes to floor coverings, good communication is crucial. Contractors should clearly communicate the need to protect the floor to other parties involved in the project, such as builders, homeowners, and other tradespeople. This includes explaining the risks associated with using certain coverings or covering the floor for too long.

RESPONSIBLITY FOR DAMAGE

Responsibility for damage caused by floor coverings depends on the contract. If it is not stipulated in the contract, the contractor has advised against covering the floor and it is covered anyway, the person who covered the floor should be responsible for the repair costs.

KEY TIPS AND TAKEAWAYS

To prevent damage, floor coverings for polished concrete should be breathable and used minimally, allowing the sealer to cure and moisture to escape, especially after sealing. The following are some tips to consider:

• Wait at least 72 hours after applying an impregnating sealer before covering your floor.
• Consider doing the polishing process in two stages to minimize the time the floor needs to be covered.
• Finish the floor just before cabinetry and skirting boards are installed to reduce the need for covering.

Avoid the use of tape on the concrete, as it can leave residue. 

Part of our mission here at WORX+ is to help you feel totally confident in your concrete grinding and polishing results. Our team are the best in the business, so let us help you find a method that totally WORX - give us a call on 1300 897 873.

Hang on, we’ve got more for you!

Check out our other TechTalk articles below, where we address common issues contractors face and the nitty gritty of the concrete grinding and polishing industry.