One of the joys of owning your own home is being able to renovate it. With that in mind, there are many fun home renovation projects to take part in. That being said, many homeowners are realizing how great it looks to have painted concrete flooring. Concrete floors are durable flooring options that also don’t require a lot of maintenance work. However, it’s understandable to want to update these floors in order to change their appearance. In this post, you’ll learn how to properly paint concrete floors.
Preparing Your Concrete Floors
Before any painting can begin, you’ll need to get the floors ready. In order to do this, you’ll want to ensure that you’re working on a completely dry surface. If you attempt to paint a wet surface, you’re going to encounter many problems. However, you’ll need to wet down the concrete in order to efficiently clean it. It’s recommended to apply a type of degreasing solution in order to deeply clean your concrete. For older floors or those with more foot traffic, it’s wise to wash this concrete several times.
It’s understandable to wonder long these floors need to fully dry. In most cases, it will only take a few days for your concrete floors to dry. That being said, waiting a day longer is often better than being unsure of your concrete’s dryness. After the floor has been thoroughly washed, it’s also important to find and remove any old layers of paint. If you’ve never painted your floors, you can skip this step.
Taking Care of Damage
Many homeowners have accidentally damaged their floors. This situation is often unavoidable. Considering that, you’ll now want to find and fix any scratches or holes in your concrete flooring. Concrete patching solution will be able to take care of any of these areas. Simply use a trowel in order to apply this solution over any cracks and holes you find. You’ll want to give this mixture adequate time in order to fully dry.
Priming and Painting Concrete Floors
Next, it’s time to begin priming your floors. Adding primer allows the paint to easily adhere to concrete flooring. In addition, you can find stain blocking primer that helps ensure unsightly damage is avoided. If you want to get the most out of primer, it’s best to apply this material in several coats. In between coats, give the primer an adequate amount of time to dry.
After your primer has been applied, you’re almost ready to begin painting. Before painting concrete floors, it’s important to look for low VOC paint. Volatile organic compounds or VOCs aren’t an issue for floors that are over a year old. However, painting concrete floors carries the risk of being exposed to these compounds. A recent report by CBC Marketplace found that VOC levels over 500 ppb could cause problems for those with sensitivities to chemicals. Fortunately, you won’t have this problem by choosing low VOC paint. Once you’ve found the right paint, apply it in layers. Again, give each layer enough time to dry properly. Don’t forget to add a final layer of sealant, in order to protect your paint.
In closing, it’s understandable to want to learn how to paint concrete flooring. As you’re painting concrete floors, it allows you to express your own sense of style. If you’re going to be painting concrete floors, it’s wise to find a low VOC paint. A recent study at the Syracuse Center of Excellence found that cognitive scores were 101% higher in spaces where VOC levels were reduced. Choosing low VOC paints ensures that you and your family aren’t exposed to high levels of volatile organic compounds.