How To Fix Scratches on Stained Concrete Floors

There is a number of ways to get rid of scuff and scratch marks on a concrete floor. Each situation is different and requires a unique approach to effectively repair it. The extent of damage as well as the type of finishing done on the concrete surface help inform our professionals the tools to use and how to go about it. Here are the three types of scratches and the possible ways to repair them.

Regardless of how well you take care of your concrete floor, it will still develop scuffs and scratches over time. If they are just shallow and unattractive marks and lines across the finish of your floor, refinishing them can hide the deformities. In fact, applying finish should be an annual procedure to keep the floor in good shape. While it’s simpler to apply the finish on scratched areas of your concrete, we advise our clients to refinish the entire floor. This way, you get a smooth and uniform glow on your concrete surfaces.

It’s worth noting that not all finishes are the same and if you choose the wrong one, the wax finish will scratch off easily. You want to go with higher-grade finishes if the affected floor bares a lot of traffic.

Not all floors have a finish coating. So if your floor isn’t finished, the scratches might be affecting the sealer. If this is the case, all you need to do is reapply a thin layer of sealer to restore it. An effective reapplication process will require cleaning the scratches with a solvent first. Some of the common solvents we use are xylol and xylene. These solvents are toxic and flammable and so requires caution during use. It’s worth mentioning that the tools you use to do the sealing should be resistant to the solvent. After you’re through with the resealing process, apply a coat of finish.

It’s rare for scratch marks to reach the concrete but it’s not impossible. If they penetrate the concrete, regrinding and polishing become the most effective methods to remove scratches. Industrial-grade equipment becomes necessary here to smooth and remove dirt plus reach the depths of the scratch. The extent of the damage will determine how the results will look like. If the staining work was shallow, you might remove most of the stained part of the concrete, which shouldn’t be the case. A professional concrete staining expert will know when to stop regardless of the depth of the scratch and recommend better ways to solve the problem. After regrinding, we reseal and finish the concrete to make it look as good as new.

The condition of your floor says a lot about your home or business place and even your personality. So when it gets any kind of damage, repairing or replacing it is the way to go. The process of fixing scratches and scuffs is quite straightforward. Here’s how we do it at Southern Illinois Epoxy whether the scratch affects the polish, sealer, and concrete:

Step 1

The fixing process begins with sweeping the whole floor to remove dirt and debris. Doing this eliminates any possible contamination that might get into the cleaning solution and cause more scratches to your floor. This also prevents abrasion with your shoes as you work on the damage.

Step 2

Using paper towels to rub through the scuffs and scratches ensures you remove all the residue trapped within. This involves rubbing and periodically checking if the scuff mark is clean. We replace the towel every time it tears or catches and saturates with the residue. Alternatively, if the work area is big, using a vacuum to suck all dirt becomes speedy.

Step 3

The next move is to remove the existing polish around the scratch. Use a piece of cloth applied with small amounts of fine-grit abrasives. This is then rubbed around the damaged area to get rid of the polish. If the process is taking place on a large scale (entire floor), a grinder is put to use. It makes the work quicker and easier.

Step 4

Wipe with a dry piece of cloth and check the progress. If the scratch still appears on the floor, we continue with the abrasion until the mark disappears. Use a clean rag to wipe away the dust. Your concrete floor will lose its gloss through this process but this shouldn’t be a concern because the next step solves the problem. Though not necessary, you should remove the entire finish coating before you can apply a new coat.

Step 5

It’s time to polish the concrete floor. Gently buff a polishing compound onto the concrete. You should rub the buffing pad into the target section until the polishing compound penetrates the floor and its gleam disappears. Doing this step restores the gloss and luster of your floor. After this, your floor will be fully reinstated

Even though concrete floor surfaces scratch over time depending on the activities above it, there are things you can do to avoid this from happening soon. Once you’ve done fixing your floor and got your concrete surface back in good shape, follow our advice below to maintain its quality.

• The first thing to do is to identify what could possibly cause scratches on the floor then work towards eliminating it.
• If it’s sliding chairs, then avoid dragging your seats on the floor and try to carry them instead. Add pads to the legs of your furniture so that your floor is protected when you accidentally drag them around.
• For some people, it might be a rolling vacuum. If possible, find alternatives, correct your vacuuming methods, or get a less abrasive vacuum that won’t leave scratch marks behind.
• Schedule weekly cleaning with the use of a microfiber dust mop, mild soap, and clean water to get rid of dirt and debris particles.
• After mopping, thoroughly wipe away moisture and soap residue from the surfaces that might later dry and encourage scrubbing.

The amount of money you’ll spend on staining your concrete will depend on several variable factors. If your floor is in bad condition, that means it will require long hours to prepare for staining, which results in higher costs. One concrete floor might require investing in grease removers, while another one needs industrial-grade machines to level it. Basic concrete staining will cost less compared to intricate design works. Some designs require several stain colors, stamping, and scoring, which will raise the installation costs. Also, the size of your floor surface will determine how much you’ll pay for the staining project.

Acid staining concrete costs can be anything between $7 to $15 for every square foot. This is impacted by the current material costs and the condition of your floor. Depending on how simple or complex your project is, we charge anything between $2 to $25 per square foot as contractor fees. A 1,000 square feet property will consume at least $3,000 and as high as $18,000 depending on the work needed and your personal preferences.

Contact Southern Illinois Epoxy for a free quote and advice about possible design ideas. Plus, we are happy to answer all your questions and concerns about stained concrete.

It can be tempting to scuff and scratch marks by yourself but it’s not wise. While most people think they are saving money through DIY, it’s actually not cost-effective if you think long term. DIY could lead to poor work execution and improper application of the machines, causing further damage. You also don’t want to hurt yourself during the process.

Instead, you should hire professionals to assess the situation and employ their knowledge to effectively fix the problem. Our teams at Southern Illinois Epoxy know a lot about concrete flooring solutions and ready to partner with you. We have a crew of experienced concrete stain experts who can install new floors and provide quality repair services for your floors anytime. Contact us for a free consultation.