Garage Slab - Polished Raft

rampantbunny

Hi all.
Recently chatting to a few guys that install rafts, getting some quotes in etc.
Interestingly (to me at least), one potential is trying to set himself apart by pointing out that he will polish the raft in the garage. He reckons it's essential to ensure the floor does not turn to dust with any hammering or rough work.

I didn't ask him at the time what this involved but he did say that he doesn't use a power-float as they wouldn't finish as good as doing it by hand.
This guy comes highly recommended so no reason to doubt his work.

Anyone hear of polishing garage floors like this, or know what it is?

tred

rampantbunny wrote: »

Hi all.
Recently chatting to a few guys that install rafts, getting some quotes in etc.
Interestingly (to me at least), one potential is trying to set himself apart by pointing out that he will polish the raft in the garage. He reckons it's essential to ensure the floor does not turn to dust with any hammering or rough work.

I didn't ask him at the time what this involved but he did say that he doesn't use a power-float as they wouldn't finish as good as doing it by hand.
This guy comes highly recommended so no reason to doubt his work.

Anyone hear of polishing garage floors like this, or know what it is?

got mine done like this. only job. easy to sweep and keep. they do it with trowl...there good....hand finish.....neighbours were impressed wiht it.

fclauson

tred wrote: »

got mine done like this. only job. easy to sweep and keep. they do it with trowl...there good....hand finish.....neighbours were impressed wiht it.

And then paint it for a really easy to clean job

hexosan

What finish do people normal go with on the finished floor, I spoke with one contractor over the weekend who said that a nap finish is best as the polished finish traps moisture in the floor and this takes longer to dry out and can cause cracking.
I took all this with a pinch of salt as I'd imagine a polished finish requires more time and effort on his part.

fclauson

I polish and then painted with concrete paint - well worth doing - easy to keep clean and wipe off any oil/muck etc

Safehands

rampantbunny wrote: »

Hi all.
Recently chatting to a few guys that install rafts, getting some quotes in etc.
Interestingly (to me at least), one potential is trying to set himself apart by pointing out that he will polish the raft in the garage. He reckons it's essential to ensure the floor does not turn to dust with any hammering or rough work.

I didn't ask him at the time what this involved but he did say that he doesn't use a power-float as they wouldn't finish as good as doing it by hand.
This guy comes highly recommended so no reason to doubt his work.

Anyone hear of polishing garage floors like this, or know what it is?

Is this a normal concrete slab you are talking about, or a floating slab? What is it going to be used for?

rampantbunny

Safehands wrote: »

Is this a normal concrete slab you are talking about, or a floating slab? What is it going to be used for?

Normal concrete slab safehands. It's a garage so will serve many purposes over time.
I don't have any hobbies whereby I'd be hammering on the concrete or anything...nice to know I could though if I wanted to.

Safehands

rampantbunny wrote: »

Normal concrete slab safehands. It's a garage so will serve many purposes over time.
I don't have any hobbies whereby I'd be hammering on the concrete or anything...nice to know I could though if I wanted to.

Powerfloating is the way to go, if you can. There is no way a steel or plastic float can close a floor as well as a good powerfloat. The secret to a good job is use good quality concrete and keep the water addition to a minimum. Do not add any more water to the mix after it arrives. If the contractor is going to polish the floor and expose the aggregate, a hand floated finish will be easier to grind, but do you want that expense in a domestic garage? Look at the floors in commercial places like B&Q or Woodies. There is no way you could damage them by doing a bit of DIY. That is the finish I'd be going for.

rampantbunny

Safehands wrote: »

Powerfloating is the way to go, if you can. There is no way a steel or plastic float can close a floor as well as a good powerfloat. The secret to a good job is use good quality concrete and keep the water addition to a minimum. Do not add any more water to the mix after it arrives. If the contractor is going to polish the floor and expose the aggregate, a hand floated finish will be easier to grind, but do you want that expense in a domestic garage? Look at the floors in commercial places like B&Q or Woodies. There is no way you could damage them by doing a bit of DIY. That is the finish I'd be going for.

Although he did say he would do it by hand, I'm not expecting the sort of finish that can be buffed and further polished later.
Could be that he is old school and machinery (powerfloat) is not his thing. I won't argue. Seems to know what he is at, but will ask about power floating when I chat to him.

Thanks for the advice.