Why Is Trap-Rock Important?

The part of a concrete floor that experiences all the abuse is, of course, the surface. While concrete itself is a hard substance once cured, the surface can be dusty, somewhat permeable, and not as durable as you need if it is not finished properly or the proper steps are not taken to enhance the surface abrasion resistance and durability.

To create an incredibly durable wear surface that looks clean and has the best, longest lasting reflective properties, a surface hardener known as Trap Rock is applied to the surface of the slab and finished. Trap rock comes as a bulk aggregate that we coat with cement and then broadcast over the surface immediately following strike-off.

Traprock Aggregate

Trap-Rock is a basalt aggregate that is bought and delivered in bulk. The aggregate has been properly washed and processed before being delivered. Trap-Rock can be gound in many different parts of the United States.

These are very hard igneous rock materials that provide a highly durable wear surface with little permeability or absorption. These types of rocks break into sharp, angular fragments that will interlock easily.

Using Traprock

Immediately after initial strike-off traprock is broadcast over the slab and then floated. After the initial set, the concrete is floated with a power trowel. Later, power trowels are used over the entire surface in alternating patterns to produce a very dense, burnished, troweled wear surface.

Special care is taken at and across joints to ensure a flat finish for the entire floor.

Benefits of Traprock

Everything we do in the placing and finishing process drives the aggregates down and brings the paste to the surface. The paste is the glue that holds the concrete together but it is also the weakest part of the concrete. We must bring this paste to the surface in the proper order to achieve the densified, burnished, troweled finish. Adding Trap-Rock to the surface of the concrete increases the aggregate to paste ratio at the surface making the paste stronger and more abrasion resistant over the life of the floor.

Trap-Rock finished concrete floors are especially good where there is a need for 24 hour forklift traffic. The floor exists for the forklift to roll on and if not for the hardness and density of the surface the floor would require more frequent repair, increasing maintenance costs of the floor and equipment.

Conclusion

Concrete floors are not simple systems. An experienced floor contractor like The FRICKS Company can make all the difference between a floor that is just OK and a floor that lasts the life of the facility. Shrinkage compensating concrete with a Trap-Rock surface is the longest lasting surface you can install. It can be finished to be extremely flat cross the slabs and the joints providing a forklift friendly wear surface that will be appreciated by forklift drivers everywhere and your bottom line year after year.