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How can I tell if my concrete floor is sealed?

15 years ago

I poured about 1/4 cup of water on the floor and it sat there like it was on the counter top--didn't spread out or anything!

I waited over 5 mins and it seemed to spread out a very tiny bit but still was mounded.

I wiped it up with a Bounty towel (of course it was 'Bounty) and the area under the water was VERY dark like I'd expect it

to look when wet! Also, earlier today, I poured out several large amounts of water on the area to see where it would puddle.

That was very 'telling' and the areas that puddled the most, sat that way for a couple of hours until I finally mopped them up.

But, now about 6 hours later, they are still very wet looking in color. They are not shiny but very dark yet!

So, is it sealed, you think or not?

I'm in such a dilemna, because we have our SIL coming on Saturday to help lay our laminate flooring

and we just managed to clear the room and I have found some very slight (1/8") dips in the flooring!

Most of the area is not wavy or dipped but I have several dinner plate size and larger that are definitely

not flat or even with all others!

So, my dilemna is, it sounds like if our floor is sealed I HAVE TO remove the sealant in some way! Time is

a factor given we don't have long to get this done before Saturday!

ANY suggestions as to what to do, or thoughts about whether my floor may be be sealed--or not?

Thank you so much for any time taken to help me figure this out!!

Janice

PS Is 3/8" (or slightly more) plywood a good option over scarifying the surfaces?

I also have big issues with the cement dust that would be created by big time scarfying machinery or sanding--real respiratory concerns!

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Comments (5)

organic_nick
15 years ago
Guidelines for floor flatness is 1/8 " in 6' or 3/8 " in 10'
You are installing a floating floor , a easy way to get a idea if you have a moisture problem in the concrete it to tape a 1' x 1' piece of plastic to the floor . wait 24 hours .This does not take the place of CC or PH tests.
If you see any condensation under it you will need to address it .
I would buy a good underlayment with a moisture barrier on it , and use foil tape on the seems .
Janice
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks organic--but my problem is that any filler I use, be it self-leveler, Mapei PlaniPlast, or whatever
requires that the concrete be free of any sealants etc.I need to be sure that I don't have any such thing
on my concrete floor!

The test of putting water on the floor is my effort to determine if it will be absorbent enough to allow those
products to adhere!! :o) I want to fill in those 1/8" and more dips!
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I spoke to one of the workers today and told him it was industry standard to use this plastic. I don't know anything about curbs or mud, or any of those other words. I asked him about this book, and of course, he looked at me like I was crazy. My husband spoke to the contractor who said this is totally unnecessary, and that he has been doing this for years this way, even in his own house. -- I told him .- this puts me in a weird predicament because I don't want the job to be done wrong, and I'm not convinced that this is right. We are at a stand-still. I want to take a hammer to those tiles-- I am waiting to hear from the store-owner who sold me the tiles and ask her advice about what I can do now..... I am also going to ask her about the glass shower tiles with cold and hot water. This is why I hired a Contractor -- I don't want to make all these calls and teach myself how to install a bathroom, or a floor, or a fireplace! Creative - I cannot thank you enough. I looked through the book you are referring to. The contractor thinks I'm reading into everything because this isn't the first thing I've complained about.... This is the text he sent me this morning "The vinyl on floor and up walls about a foot and up seat area and on wall behind you do not need on walls unless steam shower nobody puts on wall you are reading to much No concern my own shower is done like this"
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Janice
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, I guess I'm on my own! I decided it must not be sealed, since it absorbed the water enough
to still be wet this morning! There is no problem with moisture coming through the floor. We had
pad and carpet down previously for 25 years and when we pulled it up there was no mildow or moisture
marks. However, we are installing an underlayment with the poly. layered as it's base!

I spent all day skim coating the floor! My neck is killing me but I am satisfied with the results!

Good luck to any others who find themselves not so fortunate, as I hope I am, to not have a sealed
or painted concrete slab!!

An almost 62 yr. old woman--if I can do this--anyone can! :o/
floorguy
15 years ago
Wow, a whole 1/4 cup of water?? Hehehehe!!

All you need is a couple of drips.

If they are still beads of water in 5 minutes you have a sealer. Bead blast the surface if it test positive for a sealer, or highly trowel polished concrete.
Janice
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, floorguy--you'd have to know me to know how far I go to try and do things right!
I've been known to 'over-kill' in a lot of areas or our on-going home redo--over the past
40 yrs.! LOL

BTW--determnined the floor is not sealed!

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