Understanding Options for Concrete Floor Repair Systems

A Closer Look at Portland-Limestone Cement
and the Questions It Raises

In the race toward reducing carbon emissions and building a more sustainable future, the construction industry has placed significant emphasis on material innovation. One of the most talked-about shifts in recent years is the rise of 1L concrete, also known as Type 1L Portland-limestone cement (PLC). While its environmental intentions are clear, the execution and field performance of this material have sparked deep concerns among contractors, finishers, and construction professionals across the country.

What Is 1L Concrete?

1L concrete is a blended cement product made by intergrinding Portland cement clinker with up to 15% finely ground limestone. It falls under ASTM C595 and was promoted as a more sustainable option than traditional Type I or Type II cement, with a claimed reduction in embodied carbon of about 10%.
This transition is part of a broader movement toward lowering the construction industry’s carbon footprint. However, for many professionals working in the field every day, the reality of 1L’s performance has not aligned with its promise.

Why the Push—And Why the Pushback?

Advocates of 1L cement cite decades of successful use in Europe and a growing need for climate-conscious practices. Major producers in the U.S. began shifting almost entirely to Type 1L in 2022 and 2023, often with little consultation or consideration for the practical realities faced by contractors and specialty finishers.
This sudden change, often framed as a “drop-in replacement,” has led to a number of serious challenges:
Surface Defects & Finish Failures
Many contractors have reported inconsistent finish quality, scaling, dusting, and difficulty achieving color uniformity in decorative and exposed applications. In some cases, these issues have led to litigation over failed installations.

Lack of Field Testing & Support

Although some densifiers and admixtures are being promoted as compatible with 1L, most have not undergone sufficient independent testing to ensure reliable long-term performance. Contractors are left to troubleshoot on their own, often at their own expense.

Distrust from the Field

For many in the construction world, especially those working on architectural concrete, decorative finishes, or high-performance surfaces, the lack of transparency and technical support has created a deep sense of frustration and mistrust.

What Industry Experts Are Saying

While many material producers remain committed to 1L cement, an increasing number of contractors, specifiers, and consultants are raising red flags. Some are now avoiding 1L altogether in high-exposure projects or are specifying additional treatments, sealers, or surface hardeners to compensate for performance issues.
Yet even these remedies come with asterisks: most haven’t been thoroughly tested alongside 1L, and results vary based on climate, substrate, and finishing practices. While some contractors are beginning to find combinations that work, there is no universally endorsed solution at this time.

Proceeding with Caution

There’s no question that sustainability is an urgent priority—but true sustainability must also account for durability, performance, and constructability. When cement fails in the field, the environmental impact of replacement materials and labor far outweighs any initial carbon savings.
As the industry continues to explore lower-carbon alternatives, many experts are calling for a more thoughtful, transparent, and inclusive approach—one that includes rigorous testing, real-world data, and support for the contractors on the front lines of implementation.

The Bottom Line

1L concrete may represent a step toward sustainability, but for now, it’s a step that should be taken with full awareness of its limitations. The current landscape demands caution, continued evaluation, and an honest dialogue between producers and practitioners.
Until field data improves and manufacturers take stronger accountability for performance, the use of 1L cement should be considered on a case-by-case basis, especially in projects where finish quality, color uniformity, or long-term durability are critical.

There are numerous components of concrete floor repair systems, meaning that even the most experienced contractor may sometimes have doubts about which product to use. Without properly understanding the options for repair systems, it is impossible to explain them to your clients or make educated recommendations. These concrete repair systems can typically be divided into a few basic functions: those that prepare the surface for repairs, those used when actually making the repairs, and those to finish up the repairs and ensure longevity.

Systems for Surface Preparation

When repairing concrete floors, you will first need to remove the damaged areas and fill them in, but this is not as simple as it may sound. Before anything can be applied to the concrete surface, you must remove debris, such as mineral deposits, mortar, rust, stains, and lime deposits. Products like Super Concentrate Renovator from Select Surface Solutions can thoroughly clean the concrete before you repair the area with a patch and add an overlay.

Other surface preparation products will focus on removing particular elements, such as carpet adhesives and old acrylic coatings, to expose the area where repairs need to be done. Examples are GlueRemove and EnviroStrip, respectively, as each strips away the old substances on the concrete that would make it impossible to get to the damaged area or get a patch to bond.

Systems for Making Repairs

Another option for concrete floor repair systems in Orlando is one product that help you with the actual repair process. These are typically in the form of patches that will fill in holes, trenches etc, such as Deep Level, which works on larger spalls. For patching small holes and crack repair, feather patch material or epoxy crack repair systems are available.

Systems for Finishing Fixed Floors

Whether a concrete floor is new or an old one that is being revamped, it is crucial to apply some sort of protective finish. These finishes serve as a protective element by adding a layer between the concrete and environmental factors, chemicals, abrasives, or general foot traffic and, therefore, extend the life of the concrete when applied properly. In the case of repair systems, these products may be anything from a sealant to a concrete densifiers when polishing the surface. LD1800 from Select Surface Solutions, for example, works to generate calcium silicate hydrate in concrete pores to improve the floor’s strength and durability. Applying a finish of some sort will also help to ensure the uniformity of the concrete floor, so the repaired area can’t be distinguished from the rest.

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