Concrete Floor Paint Problems

Concrete Problems

• Concrete is not always sealed, and even when sealed the sealant can wear away over time. This allows moisture to easily access the concrete, which can cause deterioration. Concrete surfaces also tend to be rough, and even with a layer of primer they do not always allow a coat of paint to bond properly. Typically, concrete floors are only painted when a crack has been repaired and a colorant is used to make the patched area blend in.

Surface Conditions

• Sometimes a concrete surface is painted when there is still a layer of dirt or grease on it. This leads to adherence problems when the paint dries without properly binding to the concrete itself. Leaving dirt on the concrete can also create uneven patches and ridges that can be chipped away.

Peeling

• Paint can peel on concrete for many reasons. Sometimes a hardener is used to make the concrete cure faster, and the paint cannot adhere to it properly. Other times, the concrete is not properly sealed and moisture comes up through the porous surface and causes the paint to fleck or peel. Cement paints that are designed to let moisture pass through them minimize this problem.

Weather

• Concrete located outdoors can suffer many types of wear from the weather. Hot climates will make the concrete more vulnerable to moisture problems and surface wear. Cold climates will cause the concrete to crack as water freezes inside it. These problems also wear down paint layers very quickly. Adjacent causes of damage, like rock salt used to melt ice, can also eat into the paint.

Fresh Concrete

• Homeowners should not mix curing concrete with paint. If paint is applied while the concrete is still curing, it will combine with the still-wet concrete and change color and consistency. The paint may also peel away as the concrete finishes drying. Contractors advice that homeowners wait four weeks for the concrete to cure fully before trying to paint it.