Uneven slab in an Alta Vista clinic, levelling before coating?

Whether an uneven slab in your clinic can be levelled before coating, and with what, depends on how uneven it is, the condition of the slab and what the coating's data sheet allows, so the contractor has to assess it and name the product in writing.

Ask the contractor what they think is causing the unevenness, how they will repair it, and which levelling or repair product they would use, with its data sheet. The coating's data sheet sets the surface profile it needs: the ones we read ask for about CSP 2 and above (a polyaspartic), CSP 3 to 4 (a resinous system) or CSP 3 to 5 (a urethane cement) on the ICRI scale.

On permits, ottawa.ca lists new flooring among projects that do not require a building permit, but that page does not say clearly whether it applies to commercial buildings, so confirm with the City of Ottawa before work begins. If any structural slab repair is involved, a permit may be required. If the clinic is in a designated heritage building, the standard exemptions do not apply.

For cost, published 2025 to 2026 contractor ranges put standard surface prep at about $1 to $3 per square foot when quoted separately, and commercial epoxy at about $8 to $15 per square foot installed, though your quote will differ depending on the depth of levelling needed, the extent of crack repair, the system chosen, and whether work must be phased around clinic hours. Ask the contractor to quote prep and levelling separately so you can see what each scope costs.

Before a contractor visits, it helps to gather what you know: how old the slab is, what has been on it before (tile, adhesive, previous coating), what spills or cleaning chemicals the floor sees, how much traffic and what kind, and how many days or partial days the clinic can realistically close. That information lets the contractor scope the job accurately from the first visit.