A clean-looking slab does not define the preparation scope
Color and flake choices are easy to see in a coating proposal. The work beneath them is less visible, yet a phrase such as “floor prep included” leaves many questions unanswered. An existing coating, surface contamination, repairs, and moisture conditions may need different assessment and treatment.
Do not use the slab’s appearance or a dry-feeling surface as proof that it meets the chosen system’s requirements. Start by asking what the installer will assess and what result the preparation must achieve. The method and acceptance checks should follow the actual products and condition.
Ask for an assessment and an acceptance plan
Sika’s surface-preparation guidance addresses substrate condition, contamination, surface profile, moisture evaluation, and environmental conditions. It describes several mechanical preparation methods rather than one method for every floor. The relevant product documentation must determine the requirements for the proposed system.
Technical basis: Sika Surface Prep Guide, checked October 8, 2026. Confirm current product requirements with the responsible installer; this article is a scope checklist, not an installation procedure.
| Stage | Question for the installer |
|---|---|
| Existing surface | What is on the slab now, what is sound, and what must be removed or investigated? |
| Moisture assessment | Which evaluation does the specified system require, who records it, and what happens if the result is outside its limits? |
| Preparation method | How will the method produce the required surface profile, including edges and areas around fixtures? |
| Defects and joints | Which repairs and joint treatments are included, and which require a separate decision? |
| Cleanup and acceptance | How is residue removed and how is the prepared surface accepted before the next stage? |
| Application conditions | Who confirms and records the conditions required by the named products before application? |
Understand “surface profile” without choosing a universal number
A preparation proposal should identify the surface condition required by its system. Ask the installer to show where that requirement is specified and explain how it will be checked. A tool name alone is not the acceptance criterion. Do not ask for the roughest possible finish or copy a profile requirement from an unrelated product.
Resolve responsibility before the space is emptied
A clear scope connects the assessment with the price and schedule. It helps you understand whether an old coating is included in removal, whether a repair is already allowed for, and who makes the decision if the prepared slab reveals something unexpected.
For example, a hypothetical garage owner may know that a previous coating is peeling near the door but not know its product name. Record that uncertainty and provide overall and close-up photos. Ask the installer to assess removal rather than assuming a new topcoat can simply be added. Keep the disposal, protection of adjacent areas, and storage arrangements in the same project brief.
Review preparation in the order it will be decided
- Describe the starting point. List previous finishes, known repairs, stains, water observations, fixtures, and access restrictions.
- Confirm the proposed system. Obtain the named layer build-up and the preparation requirements it relies on.
- Review the site assessment. Ask what is accepted, what needs additional work, and which conditions remain unresolved.
- Agree change handling. Write down who authorizes work if removal exposes a new issue and how it affects the total and schedule.
- Keep the handover evidence. Ask which assessment and preparation records will be supplied, along with product and care information.
Preparation is work for the appropriately equipped installer. Do not grind, strip, or chemically treat the floor solely to make it look ready for a photo. Ask which tasks the installer expects you to handle, such as clearing belongings, and leave the specified preparation to the responsible team.
Identify what your preparation scope is missing
Send your existing-finish description, known condition, approximate area, and any unclear preparation line from the proposal.
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