Opening Thoughts
Ensuring a watertight and contaminant-free seal between concrete walls and floor joints is essential, especially in environments requiring stringent hygiene standards. Utilizing urethane cement mortars like Mortarthane™ HF offers a durable solution that withstands frequent cleaning and thermal expansion.
Why Choose Urethane Cement Mortar?
- Thermal Compatibility: Urethane cement closely matches the thermal expansion properties of concrete, reducing the risk of delamination during hot steam cleaning processes.
- Seamless Application: It allows for the creation of coves at floor/wall joints, even on various wall materials such as wood, brick, precast concrete, or decorative finishes, ensuring a continuous, easy-to-clean surface.
Step-by-Step Guide to Application
- Preparation: Clean the concrete surface thoroughly, removing any debris, oil, or contaminants to ensure proper adhesion.
- Mixing Mortarthane™ HF: Follow the manufacturer's instructions to prepare the mortar, achieving a consistent, lump-free mixture.
- Application: Using a trowel, apply the mortar to the floor and use the cove mortar at the floor/wall joint 4 inches up the wall to create a seamless transition.
- Finishing: Smooth the applied mortar to eliminate air pockets and ensure a uniform thickness, promoting a durable and watertight seal.
- Curing: Allow the mortar to cure as per the manufacturer's guidelines before subjecting the area to cleaning or foot traffic.
Additional Considerations
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Urethane cement systems are designed to endure frequent hot water washdowns, maintaining their integrity and appearance over time.
- Avoid Epoxy Coatings: In areas subjected to thermal cycling and frequent cleaning, epoxy floor coatings may not perform as well as urethane cement systems, potentially leading to failures.
Built to Last, Easy to Clean
By implementing these steps and choosing the appropriate materials like Mortarthane™ HF, facilities can achieve durable, hygienic, and maintenance-friendly floors.