Concrete grinding is the process of smoothing rough concrete surfaces by stripping away the top layer of cement. It is usually a preparatory step to refinishing floors or concrete countertops. The main objective of grinding is to make these surfaces level so that they are ready for the final polishing stage. Here we will discuss everything you need to know about concrete grinding in Geelong.
What is Concrete Grinding?
If you have fractured or uneven concrete on your property due to years of wear and tear from high traffic, you understand how difficult it is to manage it. Aside from that, broken and uneven concrete is an eyesore. Any property owner will want to address this issue as soon as feasible.
While specific problems necessitate expensive upkeep or entire concrete replacement, did you know that some uneven concrete surfaces are repairable? Concrete grinding is preserving concrete pavements that may eliminate unevenness, imperfections, and even some types of damage from a concrete area.
Concrete grinding may restore the surface’s appearance and enhance its function, but it has limitations and isn’t always the most effective approach for dealing with damaged concrete.
So, how can you know if concrete grinding is the right approach for your property? Here’s a deeper look at how concrete grinding is done, what equipment is used, and the benefits of concrete grinding.
How does Concrete Grinding Work?
Different types of concrete floors necessitate different types of concrete grinding equipment, which range from portable grinders designed for small areas to bigger, self-propelled grinding machines better suited for significant operations like road maintenance. Each of these tools, however, has a diamond grinding and polishing surface that may quickly remove flaws and damage in a concrete surface.
Diamond grinders work similarly to sandpaper sanders on wood. The damaged area is ground with the concrete grinding tool, which may require numerous passes to remove the damage and obtain an equal surface.
What is a Concrete Grinder?
A spinning head of a concrete grinder smoothens and levels the concrete character. Diamonds are used for most concrete grinding services in Melbourne nowadays, and their use is increasing significantly. Because the abrasive discs used to polish the surface include diamond particles, this method is known as “diamond grinding.”
A concrete grinder’s primary components are:
- Diamonds come in various strengths, shapes, and sizes. The size of a diamond gets measured in grits, which come in multiple sizes designated by grit numbers. These grits are beneficial in optimising work. The diamond size and the associated grit number are always inversely related.
- Bond- it completely supports the diamond used for grinding. During the grinding process, the bond wears in an organised manner such that the new diamond is sensitive to grinding without the diamond breaking suddenly. The diamond grit and bonding options vary depending on the application.
Types of Concrete Grinders
1. Hand-held concrete grinders
These are used for modest floor grinding jobs and concrete worktops. These smooth uneven spots on a concrete floor prepare the surface for coatings such as epoxy and polish concrete countertops.
2. Walk-behind concrete floor grinders
These are available in various sizes, from tiny to extremely big. Walk-behind floor grinders can be ganged together for a larger floor surface area. These floor grinding machines promptly remove coatings like epoxy, paint, tile adhesive, mastic, and thin-set.
3. Ride-on floor grinders
Concreters use ride-on floor grinders to grind and polish commercial flooring, shopping malls, showrooms, distribution facilities, retail shops, and warehouse floors. A ride-on floor grinder can grind and polish floors up to 5 feet wide in one pass, resulting in flat, long-lasting, high-gloss flooring. Concrete floor grinders and polishers on wheels, all concrete grinders need the power of gas, propane, or electricity.
Concrete grinding applications
Although concrete grinders and finer-grit abrasives may get utilised to create a wonderfully polished concrete surface, the procedure that contractors go through to prepare that surface is more than just polishing. The concrete preparation procedure has three stages: grinding, honing, and polishing. A polished concrete surface has a bright reflection with a glassy finish, whereas a ground concrete surface has a flat appearance with a low shine. Its applications include the following:
- Clear coatings, epoxies, and paint removal
- Adhesives, glue, and tile residue
- Evening out uneven surfaces
- Stains, grease, and grime
- Previously used sealers or coatings
- Surface polishing of concrete
What Are The Benefits of Concrete Grinding?
Concrete grinding has many benefits. The first is that it provides a smooth and level surface ready for polishing or painting. In addition, experts use concrete grinding to remove stains, blemishes, or trip hazards from your floor. If you have a damaged or uneven concrete floor, concrete grinding is an excellent way to fix it.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Concrete Grinding?
The only real drawback to concrete grinding is that it creates a lot of dust and debris. This debris must get cleaned up afterwards, which can add to the project’s overall cost. In addition, if you are removing stains or blemishes from your floor, you may have to rent a sander or other equipment.
Excon Group: Experienced Concrete Grinders
Concrete grinding is a great way to prepare your floor for refinishing or painting. It can also remove stains, blemishes, or trip hazards from your floor. The only real drawback to concrete grinding is that it creates a lot of dust and debris. If you are looking forward to the best concrete grinding services in Melbourne, get in touch with us at https://excongroup.com.au/concrete-grinding-geelong/ and let our experts help you with a fair price soon!
