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Pinholes & Pore Filling
Grout treatment fills pinholes, pores and small surface imperfections exposed during concrete grinding. It helps produce a more continuous finished surface, with the material and appearance selected to suit the concrete and the project requirements.
At Craftsman Concrete, we review surface repairs as part of the on-site sample. The sample establishes the proposed treatment and how filled areas will look alongside the surrounding concrete before the process continues across the floor.
What pore filling addresses
The Concrete Polishing Council’s guide specification identifies holes, air pockets, popouts, voids, surface damage and small cracks among the imperfections addressed by grout treatment.
The material is worked into the surface openings during the grinding process. The selected product, concrete condition and polishing sequence determine how it is applied and finished.
Pore filling is a surface-treatment step. Joint filling and repairs requiring a separate repair method need their own scope.
Select a material that can be polished
The grout needs to bond to the concrete, remain in place through polishing and suit the intended appearance.
When incorporated into a project, ACI SPEC-310.1-20 requires the following qualities for repair grouting material unless otherwise specified:
| Property | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Finish compatibility | Color coordinated to the specified floor and capable of being polished |
| Bond | Sufficient adhesion to remain attached after polishing |
| Cleaning durability | Incorporated into the concrete floor matrix without degrading under routine scrubbing |
| Abrasion resistance | Equal to or greater than the surrounding concrete |
| Appearance | Enhance gloss and image clarity while masking surface defects |
These provisions apply through the project’s Contract Documents. Our ACI 310.1-20 specification guide explains how the specification becomes part of a project.
Approve the repair appearance and scope
Repair material may look different from the surrounding concrete, and Craftsman reviews that difference with the project team in the sample before the repair approach is approved. Some proprietary procedures make pore filling conditional, so the required treatment should be resolved during planning. The approved sample is then the reference for the finished surface.
Establish the repair color in the sample
Repair material may take on a different appearance from the surrounding concrete. Craftsman uses the sample to review that difference with the project team before approving the repair approach.
Depending on the selected system, color matching may involve grinding dust, manufacturer tint or sand. These ingredients are not interchangeable instructions for every grout. ACI’s stated mixing provision applies specifically to non-resinous grouting systems.
The CPC guide specification judges filled imperfections against the mockup from 20 feet away under the lighting expected after construction. Its criterion is that color differences are not reasonably noticeable—not that every filled pore becomes invisible at close range.
Our repair color and visibility guide explains how to establish the appearance criteria.
Confirm pore filling in the installation scope
The project specification and selected polishing system determine the required treatment.
The CPC guide specification and ACI SPEC-310.1-20 include filling requirements. Some proprietary procedures make pore filling conditional on the surface and the customer’s order. Those differences should be resolved during planning rather than left until the finishing stages.
The approved sample provides the reference for the finished surface. Where ACI SPEC-310.1-20 applies, its repair provisions require filled defects to conform to that sample.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Grout treatment can fill pinholes and small surface voids during the grinding process. The material needs to suit the concrete, remain bonded through polishing and meet the project’s appearance requirements.
Not necessarily. The material and surrounding concrete may differ in appearance. The approved sample establishes the expected result. The CPC guide’s visual criterion assesses differences from 20 feet under the intended lighting; it is not a close-range invisibility guarantee.
No. The selected product determines its preparation. ACI SPEC-310.1-20’s color-matching provision for non-resinous systems allows grinding dust, manufacturer tint or sand; it does not require grinding dust in every repair grout.
The project specification and agreed scope establish whether it is required. CPC and ACI specifications include filling provisions, while some proprietary procedures make it conditional. Confirm the treatment and expected result through the project scope and approved sample.
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