Concrete Floor - Cloudy/Splotchy Appearance 2

[KHoff]

An owner has indicated that he is not happy with the appearance of a concrete floor (the floor is meant to be exposed). The floor has a cloudy/splotchy appearance. Any thoughts on what may have caused this? Perhaps a curing issue? I have attached a photo, and will add more following this post...

 

[KHoff]

Another photo...

 

[KHoff]

Another photo

 

[KHoff]

Another photo

 

[KHoff]

And one more...

 

[kipfoot]

The cause of that is that it's concrete. The surface looks to be a hard-steel-trowel finish to a near shine, which can lead to varied coloration in the surface.

In my opinion, short of a well documented mock-up procedure, what you see is what you get. Though the sawcut control joint edges are a little rough, I'd be pleased that there are no cracks.

To Burnish or Not to Burnish your Concrete?

NRMCA CIP 23 - Discoloration

 

[LittleInch]

I agree - just looks like concrete to me.

There's clearly a lot in this though

https://www.concretedecor.net/decor...vol-16-no-2-feb-march-2016/costing-out-ff-fl/

What did the owner expect? Marble?
Just google image polished concrete and you'll see many that look just like this.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[MotorCity]

I agree that there are noticeable patterns in the finish, but I would not deem it unacceptable (unless there were provisions for a particular finish or appearance). It seems like most of the variation occurs at or near slab joints. If it occurs at a construction joint, it may be that the finishing operations were done too late or too long. The slab edges usually set earlier than the middle areas of a slab. Steel trowel may have gone over the slab edges after their initial set.

 

[Ron]

This is typically caused by too much bleed water bringing fines to the surface and then hard troweling the surface. This can cause a longer term durability issue. Consider taking a core in an inconspicuous place and having a petrographic examination of the core.

If you don't want to go through that process, I would suggest a light acid wash using citric acid, followed with the application of a surface hardener such as Prosoco Consolideck or other silicate hardeners.