Floor Fill Won't Adhere To Old Concrete Floor: Help??

shaane

My company has installed 300yds glue down carpet over an old concrete floor. All other areas that we filled (in low areas and expansion joints) turned out fine. One room in particular the concrete on one side of the expansion joint is 1/2" low. Initially it was power sanded to remove existing paint and floor fill. It was filled (in layers) and when cured it cracked and could be lifted up, it did not bond to the floor whatsoever. Next step, sand the floor again, 20% muratic acid was applied and cured, filled again and once again the fill cracked and lifted right off the floor. My supplier suggested a primer which is being installed as of this post. if this fails...What next anyone with a suggestion?? The room simply can't be sandblasted, or media blasted. After the 2nd attempt at filling the owner informed me that the building was a car delearship in the 50's and this particular room was probably part of the garage. So most likley I am dealing with motor oil.... Thanks..

JonM

Usually a "bonding agent" is suggested in the directions of the fill product. This needs to be painted on first...which product did you use as fill?

shaane

I am currently in Albuquerque and the project is in Colorado so forgive the vaugeness of theese details. It is a blue colored bonding agent I think it is a DAP product. I believe it is the same bonding agent used prior to the application of DAP self leveler. I know it comes in 1 gal units. My crew is applying it in a small area right now to test it.

jamestrd

yes, use a primer..sounds like a a contaminant.

also may help to give it a good open grinding and get it ruffed up well.

Floordude

Cracks in patching compound are usually from over watering the mix. As it dehydrates, it shrinks and cracks, because the water loss, that was taking up volume during the pour. Too thick of pours, for the products limits, will also cause cracking.

Lack of bond can be caused by a lot of things. Contaminates, and surface tension.

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