Microcement Near Me

Microcement slip resistance depends on the material mix used, the finish and texture applied and the type of sealer used.

Microcement can be as smooth as glass or highly textured, for use in wet areas like pool decks, exterior walkways and exterior stairs. Depending on the type of microcement and texture, a greater or lesser slip resistance (degree of slipperiness) is achieved.

Floors are classified according to their slip resistance value. The most updated tests used in the United States are ANSI 137.1-2017 and ANSI A326.3 which refer to the dynamic coefficient of friction, or, DCOF. The minimum DCOF must be 0.42 or higher in wet areas. Semco’s microcement can be as high as 0.58.

The anti-slip characteristics of the surface and the difficulty of cleaning must be considered. The greater the slip resistance, the more difficult it is to clean the surface due to the textured surface.

In addition to the Semco microcement our Liquid Membrane is often used underneath it to provide a primary flexible waterproofing to be used in conjunction with the microcement.

Although the aesthetic finish may be similar, they are not the same. With microcement you get more advantages:

• Faster and easier to apply.
• No machinery or heavy tools are needed for installation.
• Less work. Less cost. Less time.
• Lighter, so no structural loads.
• Use in any room, not just ground floors.
• No joints required, and no cracks appear when dry.
• It can be applied on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

Information
Differences between Microcement and polished cement (trowelled concrete) for paving in terms of components

A distinction must be made between, cement, cement mortar, and concrete.cement is a component of both mortar and concrete that acts as a binder. Mortar is obtained by mixing sand and water with cement and concrete is a cement mortar to which gravel is added.

Although they are all solutions for creating pavements, in the case of microcement it is continuous and in the case of polished cement, printed concrete or trowelled concrete it is discontinuous (requiring expansion joints).

Concrete
Both polished concrete and printed concrete, as well as trowelled concrete, consist of a reinforced concrete slab with a surface treatment applied to achieve the final finish. They are discontinuous pavements, and as they are slabs, expansion joints are required to prevent cracking.

Microcement can be applied on almost any type of solid substrate: cement mortar, self-levelling mortar, terrazzo, marble, travertine, tile, plaster, drywall, cement board hardiboard or exterior sheathing. Microcement can also be applied on vertical and horizontal surfaces and in interior and exterior spaces. This allows you to apply microcement on stairs, bathrooms, kitchens, balconies, roof decks, pool decks and swimming pools.

Unlike other microcements, the Semco microcement can be applied on plywood and other wood structures provided they are properly fastened to their substrate.

The Semco microcement has an incredibly strong bond to its substrate. Thanks to this, it is possible to apply microcement on tiles, speeding up renovations and avoiding the removal of the original substrate. As long as the tiles are properly adhered to the tile bed our microcement will offer a successful resurfacing instalation. Unlike other microcements, Semco’s microcement does not require the use of mesh to provide a successful bond.

The preparation of the substrate is as important as the application of our microcement. If the substrate is not clean and solid, the microcement will bond but a long term installation cannot be guaranteed.

If the substrate on which the microcement is to be applied is a mortar, it must have set for at least four weeks before applying the microcement, in order to control any cracks that may appear during the curing process.

Our microcement can be applied inside swimming pools, fountains and other permanently submerged applications. Microcement swimming pools are a growing trend and will continue to be so due to the many advantages of this decorative coating. Microcement pools are more chemical resistant, offer more decorative colors and are more durable than conventional marcite pools.

As microcement adheres to the existing material, there is no need for building work, so microcement work can be carried out in a very short time: between three and five days. On the other hand, the application of microcement on floors increases this period up to one week.

Information
This is a coating that is worked with a pre-conditioning of the surface, a application of the material in different layers, and a final protection with sealer.

Each layer of material has its own application and drying time. In addition, special care must be taken during the first week (once the work has been completed) as it gradually acquires its full hardness and resistance.

The application of microcement is a craft, factors such as the material load or the roller used in the sealing process mean that there may be small differences in gloss between the sample and the work. . The catalogues are sealed with a roller, if the sealing is done with a spray gun, a slightly higher gloss is achieved.

In any case, we will always try in all circumstances to allow as much drying time as possible between coats to prevent white stains from forming because the surface is still damp. The minimum drying time between coats is 4 hours for Presealer and 24 hours for Topsealer.

The travel time of the professionals, the type of microcement selected and the substrate on which the microcement is to be applied are some of the factors that will determine the price per square metre of microcement.

Are you a professional and would like to train in the application of microcement? We can help you. Visit our Microcement training courses website and discover our extensive programme.

On it you will find all the information you need about each course: the knowledge you will learn, its duration and price, where it takes place, who teaches it, etc.

If you need more information before making your decision, please do not hesitate to call us by phone or complete our form and we will be happy to help you.

In summer, avoid applying microcement in the central hours of the day and in the afternoon. Time slots in which the support is very hot and, if the material is placed, it could contract and expand the surface. During the rest of the day there is no problem.