Concrete Flooring in the City of Albuquerque, NM

Work in Albuquerque is permitted through the City of Albuquerque, which sets its own process separate from neighboring jurisdictions. Polishing, staining, and coating an existing floor usually does not require a building permit on its own. Commercial tenant improvements, changes of use, or work tied to a larger renovation may fall under that project's permit, so check with your jurisdiction or general contractor. We confirm the requirements for your address during the estimate rather than guessing.

Caliche hardpan: Caliche beneath a slab can perch irrigation or roof water and keep part of the subgrade wetter than the rest, which shows up as higher moisture vapor readings in one area of the floor. We test in multiple locations rather than one, and plan moisture mitigation for the areas that need it. Collapsible soil: Interior slabs over collapsible soil can settle when a plumbing leak, irrigation line, or roof runoff wets the ground beneath, leaving a dished area or offset crack. We look for signs of past settlement before finishing, flag plumbing or drainage concerns, and coordinate leveling or repair first so the new floor is not finished over a moving base. Expansive clay: Clay that swells and shrinks under a slab causes cracks to keep moving, which telegraphs through rigid coatings and polished surfaces. We evaluate whether cracks are active, use flexible fillers where movement is ongoing, and recommend correcting the exterior drainage that is feeding the clay before investing in a premium finish.

A residential room or garage typically takes 2-5 working days depending on prep and system, and larger commercial or shop floors can run longer or be phased by area. Light foot traffic is often possible within a day of the final coat, with heavier traffic and vehicles waiting several days for full cure. Winter work is possible on many projects, but freezing nights call for blankets, heated water or accelerators and a longer wait before the concrete is exposed to deicing or heavy loads.

Control joints exist because slabs move, so covering them with a rigid coating usually just moves the crack into the finish. We typically clean out joints and fill them with a semi-rigid or flexible filler suited to the use, especially in shops where hard wheels cross them. Inactive joints and cracks in a stable slab can sometimes be bridged.