Expert: Stephen Hayes - 7/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a problem in the kitchen of a restaurant. We have a concrete floor over
the slab. The floor has slowly been washed away by the regular cleaning.
What do I do about this without replacing it? I'd like to seal it some way if I
could. I'm not concerned with the way it looks as much as I am with being
able to keep it clean with out it washing away more. So what do I do to about
cleaning it, sealing it and maintaining it there after? Thank in advance.

ANSWER: Hi Matthew Strader;You have concrete over concrete, correct.  Concrete, whether the subfloor or slab, is absorbent and it always moves.  With what have you been washing the concrete to make it disolve away?.  Are you sure you don't have a moisture problem in the slab that is wicking up and destroying the top layer of concrete?
Is this 'washing away' happening all over or only in certain areas.  Any problems with leaks in pipes that go through one or both layers of pipes?  How old is the top concrete layer and how old is the slab?
Any indication of degredation on walls inside the kitchen and on the outside of the building?  Let me know the answers to those questions, since, without actually seeing what is happening, I can only guess.  I may tell you that you need to have the floor inspected before anything should be done, however let's give it a try and let me know the answers to the questions above.  One more-In what section of the Country is the restaurant?

Cordially,

John Michaels

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We are using a degreaser to clean it. And the main area is around the sink so I
believe it's just a "Problem area", where the most wear is taking place. So to
answer... it is a moisture problem of the human kind, not structure. The top
layer is about 10 years and the building is 20+. No other problems, just the
floor.

Answer
Hi, again, Matthew;  The degreaser is accentuating the breaking down of the concrete.  I feel you will have to either install a different type of flooring over the existing concrete after a leveler has been applied and then seal that new flooring (which can be new concrete), however, I suggest that you contact the concrete institute and speak with their technical services dept. for their advice.  They are in Illinois and do have a website.  If you have trouble finding them, please get back to me.

Cordially,

John Michaels