The Benefits Of Grinding Concrete

Concrete grinding preserves pavements by removing any surface imperfections and irregularities. In some cases, concrete needs to be leveled to make the surface more durable. Or you may also need concrete grinders that smooth out rough surfaces.

concrete roads

Note that roads are subject to a lot of stress that weaken and eventually damage them — constant vehicles at a high speed, heavy traffic and extreme weather. These are in addition to the defects that come from poor materials and practices in constructing the road.  

This is where concrete grinding comes in. It repairs cracks and remedies imperfections on pavements and roads to make them safer.

Concrete Grinding Benefits

Concrete grinding is done to make roads smooth by grinding and polishing them. These are the benefits when grinding is done

concrete grinding

1. Concrete becomes more durable

2. Low Maintenance because of increased durability, you have to do less to maintain the concrete surface. For example when food or chemicals get spilled, the surface is easier to clean.

3. Gives a smoother ride – this translates to less fuel cost and travel time

4. Surface is good as new – surface is smooth, comparable to newly laid pavement.

5. Helps reduce noise – surfaces with longitudinal texturing offers a driving surface that is far quieter.

6. Improved Skid Texture- better texture results in increased skid resistance. This makes roads safer.

7. Grinding does not affect material durability

road

The integrity of road surface does not get affected no matter how many times the concrete has been grinded. Thus, you don’t need to replace road surfaces often, ensuring there would be less downtime on road usage and minimising the hassle for the road users.

RELATED TOPICS:
Steps in Concrete Grinding and Polishing
How Much Does Concrete Grinding Cost Per Square Metre
Guide to Grinding A Concrete Floor
Difference between Dry and Wet Concrete Grinding Methods

Diamond Grinding: When is the Proper Time to Do It?

Diamond grinding is the removal of concrete using diamond saw blades that are mounted on a rotating drum. The technology helps remove scallops or bumps that cause poor quality of ride on the surface by improving its texture and overall friction.

It is one of the ways to profile concrete. It has gained recognition as a leading method for resurfacing and maintaining roads in various regions around the world.

person doing diamond grinding

Diamond grinding can correct a broad range of concrete and asphalt surface imperfections, restoring its function and appearance. It can correct irregularities such as roughness and faulting on concrete roads and pavements.

Roughness can come from construction problems, producing a uniform appearance and skid resistance. These are areas where diamond grinding is done. Plus, it can restore asphalt and concrete pavements, depending on the exact traffic requirements.

person preparing a concrete floor 1

Depending on the type of abrasive used, grinding can also improve the appearance of a surface, up to the point that it is comparable to high-quality polished floors in modern showrooms and leading art galleries. Note that you can do diamond grinding on both new and old concrete floors.

Most of the irregularities corrected through diamond grinding are often caused by:

Slab warping – this often comes from the moisture gradient between the opposite surfaces of the slab.  

Construction curling –  this usually happens within the first month after construction. This is because the excess water evaporates, causing the concrete to shrink.

Faulting – most commonly caused by slab pumping, and;

Roughness – caused by the actual construction work.

Both commercial and residential properties can benefit from diamond grinding. With diamond grinding, riders can count on road surfaces that are consistent and level. This is synonymous to smoother, safer rides and more comfortable journeys overall.

But be aware that the resulting pavement depends on the spacing of the diamond blades. This spacing is normally determined by the hardness of the aggregate.

 

Types of projects that require diamond grinding

Diamond grinding is often done alongside several other concrete pavement preservation techniques such as full- and partial-depth repair, road slab stabilization, resealing of joints and cracks, and cross stitching of longitudinal cracks.

For roads, the idea is to produce a leveled but far less slippery surface.

On the other hand, grinding jobs inside residential spaces and commercial buildings aim to achieve a smooth and almost marble-like sheen. The surface should be completely free of striations following a diamond grinding work.

Each project has a corresponding diamond blade and blade alignment on the grinder. Among the projects that require diamond grinding include:

 

Overlay installation

Diamond grinding is often necessary when installing decorative concrete overlays in a building’s interior. Such an overlay or micro topping restores and enhance the appearance of a worn, discolored or damaged the concrete floor.

In most cases, you need to grind a thin layer on the surface before you can put the overlay particularly if it’s cement-based.

person preparing a concrete floor

Regardless of the type of overlay, surface preparation is important. In this, you clean the substrate, remove any existing coatings before profiling or roughening the surface for good bonding.

Diamond grinding is just one of the several methods to profile concrete surfaces. Others are shot blasting, acid etching, sandblasting and scarifying.

 

Floor levelling

For both residential and commercial buildings, uneven floors caused by problems overlooked during construction can be corrected by grinding off the high spots.

uneven floor

The floor can then be coated or polished for a great finish.

 

Concrete pavement and floor repair

Rain damaged concrete and coatings on both pavements and floors can be repaired by diamond grinding. A suitable blade will grind the damaged concrete surface, have it sealed off to restore a superior look.

 

Road and pavement construction

Depending on the degree of skid resistance needed, well-spaced diamond blades on a rotating drum can remove any surface irregularities and make a safer road.

Despite numerous projects where diamond grinding is needed,  it should only be done only when necessary.  

1. It reduces pavement thickness

Since grinding involves removing a thin layer of the pavement, it can lessen the longevity of the pavement’s use.

2. Grinding does not make up for structural or material deficiencies

Diamond grinding does not fill structural or material deficiencies such as cracks and weak or thin layers. Neither does it correct any material problems such as reactive aggregates.

Additionally, in cases where load transfer is deficient, any faults in the pavement joints corrected by grinding are likely to re-occur.

So, before starting any diamond grinding work, it’s best to get expert advice from a concrete cutting and drilling company or a seasoned concrete grinding professional.

 

You Might Also Like To Read

Handy Tips for Diamond Grinding Services and Keeping Tools in Top Condition

Four Key Steps in Concrete Grinding and Polishing

Diamond Grinding Concrete Floors, Tools, Methods, and Basic Tips

 

How to Level a Concrete Floor

How To Level Concrete Floor High Spots

Many people consider concrete as the best flooring material, given its versatility. It perfectly suits both classic and modern décor for both home and commercial use.

When polished, a concrete floor can be the most beautiful element in interior spaces. The flooring can also last longer than just about any other contemporary flooring material.

But on the flip side, a concrete floor, particularly one that’s not polished can develop problems over time. The floor can settle unevenly, creating a visible dip on the surface. Moreover, it has tendency to develop cracks that can range from shallow and insignificant to deep and dangerous.

READ: Warning Signs Concrete Cutting and Repairs are Needed

These cracks can widen to the point that they may trip you when walking on the floor. Moisture can also seep in, damaging the floor over time.

Basements are most vulnerable to these, considering the heat and cooling that happens there.

When you see little cracks, these should be repaired to keep everyone safe and restore the floor’s beauty. This also helps increase the value of the property. If in repairing the floor, you’re considering to plan to put tiles or hardwood, you’ll need a levelled surface to work on.

But before you do the repairs yourself, note that it’s best to enlist professional help in repairing concrete floors. With this, you would avoid common problems associated with concrete floors such as high spots and unevenness.

Leveling Concrete Using Grinding

For an uneven floor, grinding the concrete floor high spots is your only option.

Although this sounds simple, this requires a great level of skill and equipment. These are in addition to the physical requirement in carrying hefty bags of compound and equipment.

This is where tapping professionals come in handy.  At the onset, they can identify where the high spots are, by using varying methods. For one, some concrete grinding service people put water on the floor to find the high spots.

(c) Wikihow

Besides finding the high spots, the major challenge is in knowing when to stop grinding. Problem is there are no means to accurately determine when the desired levelling has been achieved.

Using a heavy-duty grinder

The kind of tool you use in grinding concrete floor high spots determines the quality of your concrete repair.

A walk-behind heavy-duty grinder with diamond blades on the bottom gives great results. But be careful. The blades in this machine cut so rapidly that a small miscalculation may result in a major dent on the surface.

You’ll need to mount a laser receiver on the grinder to signal that it is time to stop grinding.

In using the receiver, first put the grinding machine on a section of the that has the right elevation.  Then adjust the transmitter elevation until the receiver gives an on-grade indication.

After that, your crew can move to each high spot.

Terrazzo machine

Besides the grinder, some concrete grinding crews prefer a terrazzo machine with Carborundum stones. But this is slower than the diamond grinders.

This machine is typically used by concrete grinding professionals. If you opt to do the grinding yourself, it’s best to lease than buy one.

Problem is, you won’t have the level of expertise to deliver a spot-on result. That’s why unless it’s best to leave all concrete grinding work to experts such as Megasaw that have been doing it for well over 20 years.

© blastrac.fr

Dust free grinding – most recommended

Besides aiming for the best result for your floor, you should also be concerned about the dust that comes from grinding.

This dust should not to be toyed with. Exposure to the cement dust can irritate eyes, throat, nose and the rest of the respiratory system. Moreover, if it comes into contact with the skin, it may cause moderate irritation,  cracking or thickening of skin.

Worse, the concrete dust may severely burn the skin. It can also damage the lungs, cause lung cancer and silicosis.

To ensure that there’s no dust, you need a concrete grinding equipment fitted with state of the art dust shrouds. These vacuum all the dust as the grinding work is in progress.

Get the company with most experience

To get the best out of your concrete floor grinding project, always go for the company with the most experience.

With over 20 years of concrete grinding in Melbourne, Megasaw has the experience, equipment and expertise to grind high spots in your concrete spots grand deliver the results you want.

In addition, you’ll be delighted to know that the company’s technicians take additional precautions to protect you and the rest of your property from cement dust.

Contact us today to get a quote.

megasaw
CONCRETE GRINDING SOLUTIONS

CONTACT US today or CALL 1300 920 419

How Much Does Concrete Grinding Cost Per Square Metre

[expand title="READ MORE"] [/expand]
how to drill into concrete like pro

Know what factors affect the cost of concrete grinding so you could budget accordingly. The numerous steps to achieve a polished surface make it costly.

When thinking about floors in homes, most owners’ options are limited to  floorboards, laminates, and old-fashioned carpets. Recently, the stripped and treated floorboard was the most popular, with homeowners lining up at the stores to purchase them.

wooden slab

They might be a little rough, even noisy, but their versatility is unrivaled.  The boards are tough and give the home a stripped feel of a modern space.

In particular, a number of people are turning to polished concrete. It’s not only good, but also provides clean lines which help with under floor heating.

[expand title=”READ MORE”]

polished concrete

Under floor heating foregoes the need for expensive radiators and provides heat across the house instead of just n particular rooms and only a few corners.

During winter, the concrete floor will be warm in the underfoot. Yet during the summer, it will feel cool in the underfoot.

This gives you both worlds.

But the best thing is – concrete floors can last a very long time.

And you can always add colour to the mix when pouring the floor. You could even play around with the texture and introduce a few chips or sparkles.

[/expand]

 

Start with a Good Grind

Floor grinding refers to the process of evening out raised areas to make the floor level. A grinding machine is used for this.

A grinding machine can come in many configurations, the most common being the angle grinder. Then, there are also particularly designed grinders meant for special projects.

concrete grinding

This is because concrete is harder than most flooring materials such as marble and granite. As such, more power is needed to even out the surface. Concrete grinders are built exactly for this. They can withstand a greater degree of stress and have more power to cut away even the hardest bumps.

megasaw
Diamond Grinding Service

Contact us today or CALL 1300 920 419 for more info.

We offer professional & reliable diamond grinding service in Melbourne for 20+ years.
We provide best solutions and we use only the best equipment available.

 

The concrete grinding machines mostly use some sort of abrasive such as diamond or silicon tools to grind. Diamond tools used for grinding usually  are usually diamond grinding cup wheels. The machines come in a variety of sizes with quality of finishes determined by the grits in a machine.

RELATED:

Handy Tips for Diamond Grinding Services and Keeping Tools in Top Condition

Selecting The Right Concrete Grinding Equipment and Tools

Types and Uses of Hand-Held Concrete Grinding Tools and its Pros and Cons

Four Key Steps in Concrete Grinding and Polishing

 

grinding disk

Currently, you’ll find anything between six and thousand-grit concrete grinding machines – the higher the grit, the soother the finish. One thousand eight hundred -grit machines are considered the highest shine you can apply on a floor surface.

To be more  convenient, the grinding is usually done when the concrete is dry.

[expand title=”READ MORE”]

Why?

Because grinding when wet might require a lot of people. If you’re grinding when dry, you’ll need to use a filter-equipped vacuum to control dust emission.

The fine concrete dusts contain silica which can cause serious damage to the lungs. Inhaling the dust in large amounts has been proven to cause silicosis.

Wet grinding on the other hand, doesn’t require the vacuum machine. Learn the difference between dry and wet concrete grinding.

The actual grinding can be quite demanding.

But your contractor should clean up the mess and polish the floor. A degree of disruption to the home should be expected though it’s usually no more than you’d expect when laying any other floor surface. For safety reasons, keep the pets and kids away.

Once the floor has been poured and leveled, the grinding starts. There will be grinding of the surface as mentioned. Then a densifying material is added to the concrete and a final polish applied to produce a smooth clean final surface. With that done, all that is left is to give it a thorough mop to bring out the shininess.

RELATED:

Polishing Concrete like a Pro Even on a Budget

Four Key Steps in Concrete Grinding and Polishing

[/expand]

 

Approximate the potential cost

You’ve probably seen different sources with different quotes on the costs of concrete grinding.  For instance, one reliable source recently mentioned that you could have your concrete floor ground for as little as $2 per square foot which translates to about $21.5 per square metre.

Some have also mentioned $4 per square foot ($43 per square metre) as the minimum grinding cost.

planning potential cost

The truth is that you never really know how much the contractor will charge until they tell you the price. What you can do, however, is to try and approximate the potential cost.

The cost of concrete grinding is affected by five key factors;

  • Size of the floor

As you’d expect, the larger the floor, the less you’ll pay. This is due to the economies of scale. When determining the cost per square metre, the contractor will ask you to pay more for a small floor project (less than 50,000 square feet).

  • Design complexity

Complex projects generally have a higher cost because the technician has to invest more time in the job. A good example is saw cutting.

saw cutting

Saw cuts are highly specialised tasks that take a lot of time and energy and thus cost more. Other designs that might cost you more include stenciling, and installation of metal divider strips. However, the results will look amazing.

  • Current condition of the floor

Grinding a floor that requires a lot of prepping may also cost more per square meter. This is usually the case if the floor has a lot of patches.

Crack repairs, for example, can add as much as $43 per square metre to initial estimates.  Smoother floors with little surface preparation, on the other hand, won’t cost as much.

  • Above–Grade installations

Decorative floors installed on subfloors or raised decks need a cement underlayment before applying the final finish. This involves installing a series of products including a waterproof layer, a concrete overlay, and then a finishing before applying a sealing coat.

finished project

If your flooring contractor has to go through all these processes so that you would have an above-grade concrete floor, be prepared to pay between $43 and $65 more per square metre.

 

Wrap up

In a nutshell, you could end up spending  more than $100 per metre.

At Megasaw, quality concrete grinding is the name of the game. Aside from the competitive prices, our highly experienced company is also known for its cutting edge technology and customer-first approach, making it the go-to concrete cutter in the Melbourne and beyond.

Contact us today to get a quote.

megasaw
CONCRETE GRINDING SOLUTIONS

CONTACT US today or CALL 1300 920 419

Guide to Grinding A Concrete Floor

Grinding A Concrete Floor

Concrete grinding has become a popular activity in construction projects. But what exactly is it and how is concrete actually ground?

In the following section, we discuss the importance of grinding, what it entails, the tools used, safety precautions and everything else you may want to know about the process.

megasaw
Diamond Grinding Service

Contact us today or CALL 1300 920 419 for more info.

We offer professional & reliable diamond grinding service in Melbourne for 20+ years.
We provide best solutions and we use only the best equipment available.

 

What is Concrete Grinding?

Concrete grinding is the process of removing ridges, contaminants, and loose material from the subfloor surface using a special grinding machine. [expand title=”READ MORE”]

Concrete-Grinding.jpg

By removing the imperfections, you can lessen the overall cost in preparing the floor prior to covering. Plus, if you can achieve a smooth enough grind to allow carpet or vinyl to be laid on top, you won’t need to apply a cement-based skim coat. In addition, you can forego of the waiting time needed for the skim coat to dry.[/expand]

 

Types of Grinders

Grinders come in a variety of types and sizes. The choice you make will depend on the size of the job and the type of material you need to remove.

In corners and tight areas, hand held grinders should be used. These specialised grinders, unlike ordinary angle grinders, have a dust shroud and extraction hose. The user should utilise these attachments when there is a lot of dust being generated. [expand title=”READ MORE”]

Builder-worker-with-grinder-machine-cutting-finishing-concrete-wall-at-construction-site.jpg

For the main areas of the floor, walk-behind grinders are preferable. These grinders are driven by mains electricity – mostly 240 volts or sometimes 3-phase power. However, diesel, LP gas, petrol, and compressed air are sometimes used as fuel.

Grinder heads

Grinders can have single, double, or planetary head action. There are even four-head grinders commonly used in large projects.

  1. Single head grinders

A single head grinder has a central shaft that drives just one head. In smaller grinders, the head usually contains one disc measuring 250mm in diameter.

Larger machines can have multiple discs within the same head, some containing up to six discs with varying diameters. In machines with six discs, the diameter of each disc might even be smaller.

With so many discs working on the concrete surface, these grinders produce a very fine finish which explains why they’re mostly used in polishing rather than grinding.

Single-head grinders have a grinding width of approximately 550mm.

  1. Double-head grinders

Double-head grinders have two heads each capable of holding one or more discs. In some machines, the two headers rotate in the same direction.

This usually causes the machine to pull to one side which can make it difficult to pull across the floor. But you can at the same time take advantage of this characteristic when working on walls.

In other machines, the heads rotate in opposite directions to balance the torque and increase machine manoeuvrability. Double head grinders have a grinding width of between 750mm and 1,000mm.

  1. Planetary action grinds

In planetary header grinds, the header moves like a “planet” – independent of the grinding discs (or satellites) mounted onto it.

Planetary grinders are excellent surface preparation tools. The planetary head and the disc rotate in one direction which has the effect of increasing speed.

This usually results in more aggressive cuts especially where the diamonds (more on this shortly) are located closer to the outside of the head.  

Planetary grinders, thanks to their aggressive grinding, can also be used in concrete surface polishing. To achieve clean polishes, the discs are set to rotate counter-clockwise.

For concrete grinding, however, the discs must never be set to rotate counter-clockwise.  

 

RELATED:

Types and Uses of Hand-Held Concrete Grinding Tools and its Pros and Cons

Selecting The Right Concrete Grinding Equipment and Tools

Diamond Grinding Concrete Floors, Tools, Methods and Basic Tips

[/expand]

 

Diamond Tooling

Ultimately, the tool that usually comes into contact with the concrete surface is a set of diamond abrasives. Diamond is used because it is the hardest material on earth.

The abrasives are made by mixing synthetic diamond grit with a binding agent of metal or resin to create what is called a metal bond or a resin bond diamond segment. [expand title=”READ MORE”]

The smoothness of the grinding is determined by the fineness or coarseness of the diamond grits. Smaller grit sizes will produce a finer scratch pattern, increasing the life of the segment. Larger grit sizes, on the other hand, produce a rougher scratch pattern  

The life of the segment is also dependent on the strength of the bond. Hard bonds typically take longer to wear and expose the diamond grit. A softer surface, on the other hand, tends to wear away quickly.

The number of diamond segments found on each grinder header will also determine the quality of the finish. Where there are many grinders on the same header, the result is usually smoother.

Moreover, with a higher number of headers, the amount of work for each segment is reduced. This also reduces the load on the grinding machines.

For a finer finish, you can put some extra abrasive material such as sand or silicon carbide on the floor you’re working on. [/expand]

 

Safety in Concrete Grinding

Like most machines, concrete grinders are only safe if you use them correctly. This means you need to follow the manufacturer’s guide at all times. [expand title=”READ MORE”]

A few things to keep in mind include; before you start

  • Familiarise yourself with the equipment. Make sure you know how it works.

  • Check to ensure that the environment is safe. The place should be well lit, clear of clutter, and dry to avoid electric short circuits.

Megasaw-Img1.jpg

When setting up the machine

  • Wear appropriate safety gear. Don’t wear loose clothes that could be caught in the moving parts and wear closed boots.

Concrete-road-cutting-machine.jpg

  • You may also need gloves, safety glasses, and a hard hat depending on the job conditions.

When operating the machine

  • Listen for any strange noise or unusual vibrations. If something doesn’t feel right, turn off the machine immediately and troubleshoot the problem.

  • Maintain balance throughout the grinding process, with your hands firmly gripping the machine. Avoid awkward angles.

  • Your hands and feet must be kept away from moving parts at all times.

  • Stay alert.

Turning the machine off

  • Once you’re done, unplug the machine. For diesel o petrol powered machines, turn off the fuel line.

  • Inspect the machine for any damage before putting it away.

RELATED:

Work Safety Gear for Concrete Cutters and Drillers

How to Prevent Accidents at the Workplace

A Step By Step Approach in Concrete Cutting Leads to Greater Safety

[/expand]

 

Wrap up!

As you can see, the grinding process isn’t all bread and butter. You need the right tools and the right techniques for best results.

Megasaw can help you acquire the best machine and tools for the job. Contact us today to learn about the different grinders, diamond tools, grit sizes, and anything related to diamond grinding services.

megasaw
CONCRETE GRINDING SOLUTIONS

CONTACT US today or CALL 1300 920 419

Four Key Steps in Concrete Grinding and Polishing

Did you know that the concrete slab underneath those expensive marble, granite and wooden tile coverings on floors can also be made to look like the elegant finishes they display at exceptionally lower costs and by a process that offers much respect for the environment?

The process of polishing concrete to produce an elegant polished concrete finish will eliminate the need for the overly expensive and high energy consuming marble and granite tiles, and even the wooden and vinyl tiles whose production processes disrespect our earth’s natural endowments. This renewed interest for concrete grinding and polishing is not only observed in Melbourne but elsewhere around the world.

Steps to Polished Concrete

polished concrete

The steps to produce polished concrete may range from a few steps to several elaborate steps depending on the level of quality desired for the concrete finish. Basically, there are only four major steps involved: surface preparation, surface grinding, surface sealing and surface polishing. Any additional step will just be a repetition of a major step to achieve the finer finish quality.

1. Surface Preparation

There are possibly two surface preparation types: one for a new concrete slab and another for an existing concrete slab. A new concrete slab will certainly involve less costs, since the mixing and the pouring of the concrete can already include some of the initial steps in polishing such as the addition of the decorative finish.

There is need to clean and clear the slab for any existing topping or sealer and to replace this with a new topping aggregate of at least 50 mm in thickness. This topping can contain the decorative elements you want to see on the final polished surface and is the equivalent to the topping that would hold the marble or granite tiles if these were to be used.

2. Surface Grinding

As soon as the topping has hardened and is ready to work-up, the grinding process begins with a 16-grit diamond grinding machine, and progressively repeated, each time increasing the fineness of the grit until it reaches the 120-grit metal segment. The low number code in the diamond grit indicates the coarseness level at which the surface is to be scraped or ground. Judgment is needed as to how many grinding cycles are to be repeated. Increasing the grit number refines the concrete surface to its desired smoothness.

The grinding, and consequently the polishing, can be done either dry or wet, although the wet method is gaining more popularity in obvious avoidance of the adverse effects of the dust powder on our health.

3. Surface Sealing

During the grinding process, and prior to the polishing, a sealing solution is applied to fill up any cracks, holes or distortion that may have been created on the surface from the initial grinding. Likewise, a densifier hardener solution is added to the concrete surface to further solidify and strengthen the surface as it is subjected to polishing. A densifier is a water-based chemical solution that penetrates into the concrete and increases its density to make it liquid-proof and almost scratch-proof due to its newly acquired abrasion resistance.

4. Surface Polishing

After achieving the surface smoothness level from the metal grinding, the polishing begins with a 50-grit diamond resin pad. The polishing cycle is repeated progressively as in grinding, except this time various increasing grit level pads are used. Suggested grit levels after the first 50-grit are 100, then200, 400, 800,1500 and lastly 3000 grit. As in the grinding, judgment is needed as to the final grit level to be used. What is important is that the concrete achieves a gloss that is comparable to most commercially available surfaces.

The Polished Finish

Polished concrete is increasingly becoming the more popular floor finishing option nowadays not only because of its economy in application but also its evident sustainability feature. It is considered a green solution. Additionally, polished concrete is a low maintenance finish. It is easier to clean. Due to its acquired impervious quality, it is impenetrable by most liquids. With just a soapy water on a weekly round, it can be kept to its original sparkle and gloss. Polished concrete also has life span that is longer than most other finishes.

Most notably, polished concrete comes in several beautiful designs that can match or compete with designs of commercial expensive tiles.

MegaSaw for Grinding and Polishing in Melbourne

We at MegaSaw love to contribute to the preservation of the environment. We always look forward to a continued green environment for our children. We live by our advocacy by recycling and reusing as many of our consumables as possible and making sure we help in achieving our environment’s natural balance.

We have available grinding and polishing equipment and parts as well as other products and tools that may be useful in turning up the elegant polished concrete that you desire for your flooring. Or for any job that involves meticulous cutting, drilling, grinding or polishing.

Contact us for a free advisory or call 1300 920 419. We would love to help.

The Difference between Dry and Wet Concrete Grinding Methods

If you are not very familiar with concrete grinding methods, the entire concept can be quite confusing. When dealing with this type of task, you want to be sure that you are using the best possible method for the job at hand. So, instead of sitting around wondering about the difference, continue reading to learn everything you ever wanted to know about these two methods of concrete grinding.

DRY CONCRETE GRINDING

The first thing you should know is that there are two methods used in concrete grinding. These are the dry and wet concrete grinding methods. The dry concrete grinding method is used to polish concrete, whether it is for floors, walls and countertops or something else. While they both are used for the same result, the truth is that their procedures are different.
The dry grinding process is usually done using a machine that measures about 32 inches in diametre. Basically, the machine grinds a certain concrete to produce a shine. While most people think of this as an aesthetic decision, there are several other reasons that people may want to polish the concrete on their property. These include:

  • Less maintenance
  • Resistant to stains
  • Energy savings

One main issue that people have with dry grinding is that the large amount of silica dust produced during the process. Not only does this settle on everything and make it look terrible, but it’s also risky to anyone’s health. This is especially true if you are able to breathe in this dust. It can cause several respiratory illnesses including problems with asthma and bronchitis.

However, there are some grinding contractor services companies that offer a dust-free dry concrete grinding method. This is generally a big advantage especially for people who are health conscious. But, with the noticeable amount of residual dust that remains visible once the job is done, these dust-free claims are still in question. Another problem with all of the dust that lingers in the air is that it may settle inside HVAC systems, air ducts and ventilation systems or in furnaces. Again, this is very harmful to your health and it is not something that should be taken lightly.

The dust that settles in HVAC systems can have a real impact on the way the system operates. For example, all of the dust can settle and clog the system. If and when this happens, you will have to shell out a significant amount of money to get things back in order. Many people who rely on dry concrete grinding method do so because they think they are making an environmental choice. The truth is that there is really nothing about this that seems like it is eco-friendly. That is why you need a skilled and knowledgeable professional to execute this job properly.

man concrete grinding

Medical Issues

You were told a bit of information earlier about the potential of dry concrete grinding to trigger some medical problems. Now, let’s discuss more in-depth information about it. The main medical issues that people will have to contend with are silicosis and lung cancer. While modern medicine can give a cure to one of these illnesses, it would be best to err on the side of caution. Prevention is always better than cure.

When workers are completing jobs that exposed them to this dust, they are required to wear face masks in order to keep the dust at bay. Unfortunately, there are still many people who get these illnesses despite the fact that they have tried to take the steps to protect themselves.

Maintenance

While floors that have been polished will always need to be cared for, completing the polishing with a dry method means that you will not have to put in as much work. While it will not show as much wear and tear as an unpolished floor, the reality is that you will have to look forward to scratches, worn areas and a lack of shine. While this is true, dealing with floors that have not been polished means that you will have much more work to do in order to properly maintain them.

THE PROS AND CONS

PROs

  • You will have much less maintenance to do, which means that you can save time on something else
  • The finish will look shiny and sleek, which makes a world of difference
  • This is more economical than the wet grinding method

CONs

  • The concept is not as energy efficient as it claims to be
  • There is the chance that this can cause health issues
  • The lifespan of the polished area is not as great

As you can see, there are some definite advantages and disadvantages when it comes to dry concrete grinding. Now it is time to expand a bit and discuss about its counterpart -the wet grinding method.

WET CONCRETE GRINDING METHODS

This is very different from the other process simply because water is used in this method. Water keeps the diamond abrasives at a decent temperature and it prevents the dust from getting everywhere. As you were told earlier, this dust can be quite harmful. So, it is a good idea to try using a method that will prevent that from happening.

One fact about the wet concrete grinding method is that the grinding process will last for quite some time. While you may have to call a company to provide maintenance for your floors that were completed using the dry method, you may have noticed that the need for this has diminished since you have started to use the wet method.

Whether you believe it or not, most people have a huge problem dealing with the wet method. This is because when the liquid mixes up with the concrete, it creates a paste. This has to be disposed of properly or it will create a huge mess that can be hard to clean up. The good thing is that most companies that offer grinding services will provide a thorough cleanup. Therefore, you need to find a company that is very serious and takes pride in their work.

The wet grinding method is more preferable because it provides a sleeker look. However, there are some serious downsides to this choice including:

A Lengthy Process

One problem that many users have in common when it comes to wet concrete grinding is the longer process compared to the dry method. If your chosen contractor will charge you hourly for labour, this can get quite costly. The best option if you are insistent on having this method used would be to find a company that is willing to charge you a daily rate.

The Mess

You may be wondering why this is being discussed again. It’s because this is the only way to convey how huge of a problem this is. Have you ever looked inside of a concrete mixer and seen the concrete being mixed? This is not only messy, but it will take a substantial amount of time to get things back in order. Again, this is something that the contractor will be more than happy to take care of for you, as long as you have hired a reputable company that’s worth the pay.

The Cost

While this method guarantees that the polish will last longer on the floors, it also means that you will have less maintenance to worry about. As you know, the idea of having less maintenance generally means that you will have to pay a premium. Therefore, you will have to weigh the pros and cons and decide which is more important to you, saving on time or saving on money. If you would prefer the former, then wet concrete grinding would probably be the best method. However, you may be wondering how come this is true since the process can take a bit longer. The fact that you will not need as many return visits begins to even itself out.

As you can see, there are some definite disadvantages, but the benefits tend to outweigh that. Now it is time to discuss a bit about the type of projects that require one or both of these methods.

Floorings

As you already know, you can use this process to create a stunning floor that can be the envy of the neighborhood. If you have ever walked into a home and seen a designer tile floor in the foyer, it is likely that they hired someone to create this polished look. You may also have noticed these polished floors in places like courthouses and banks. It can certainly help give a room a much better look.

Countertops

If you have been thinking about buying a huge slab of concrete for a countertop, keep in mind that most of it does not come already polished. You may end up paying a ton of money for a huge slab of concrete, and then look for someone to polish it for you. Remember, it is possible to buy one that has already been polished. However, sometimes, there is a specific design you are interested in applying in your countertop. There is no other way to get it than to buy the unpolished material.

Wall Tiles

If you are a proud owner of a traditional bathroom, you know that you need to buy tile, putty and a few other things to go with it. These days more and more people are inclined to have a custom shower area. In this case, you will have to buy large slabs of concrete and have them worked on before they can be put up. This is a very expensive job and requires a skilled professional. However, doing this guarantees a durable work that can last for a long time. This makes it more than worth the money.

There are several other reasons why polished concrete is needed, but these are the most common. If you are thinking about having this done to your home or business, you will have to decide which of the two methods of concrete grinding would be more beneficial to you. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when you are looking for a contractor:

Quotes

Make sure that you always get a quote before hiring a certain contractor. Every contractor had their own fee rate and be sure to verify that the price you pay is the best one available. Contact the company and make appointments for quotes. Ideally, you should meet with a few people before making a final decision.

Experience

It will always be in your best interest to hire someone who knows what they are doing. Talk to the people at the company and ask how long they have been in business. If you are not given a solid answer or the rate is fairly low, you should continue on your search. There are too many available contractors out there to get sidled with one that does not know what they are doing. That will only lead to shoddy work.

References

Always ask a contractor for references. If you are told that they do not have any or they are very hesitant, this generally means that they have something to hide. You would be better off looking for someone else instead of taking a chance on them.

That is probably all you need to know to hire a great concrete grinding contractor. Always heed this advice to find the best person for the job. Keep in mind the pros and cons of each method before you decide which one is the best to use. Choose wisely and make sure that you won’t make a choice that you will regret later.

Types and Uses of Hand-Held Concrete Grinding Tools and its Pros and Cons

Concrete grinders are specialised tools which use abrasives to grind or polish. They are very useful in:

  • Removing concrete work flaws or glue
  • Making rough spaces smooth
  • Getting rid of protrusions or formwork seams, paint spills, and bad concrete jobs

There are various concrete grinders but for this article, we’ll look at hand-held grinders. Usually, they are the smallest concrete grinders and can be an extremely important, dynamic grinding tool for concrete demolition companies.

hand-held concrete grinding tool

Incredible Benefits of Hand-Held Grinders

1. Can be used to Roughen up Surfaces

Most handheld grinders are popular for smoothening out rough surfaces before concrete or any other coating is applied. However, they can also be used to roughen up surfaces when your walls and floors need some coating.

2. Effectively Removes Defaced Items

Hand-held grinders are better suited to these projects and jobs:

  • Graffiti or worn murals wither painted on walls by some teenagers
  • Floors that need smoothening
  • A home’s defaced parts that have to be removed

3. Can Access Difficult to Reach Places

Often, standard sized concrete grinders cannot reach difficult locations in a home or building. Hand-held concrete grinding tools on the other hand can:

  • Work in vertical structures, standard concrete pulverisers never work on vertical structures
  • Fit into tiny spaces like those areas right by or before the walls

4. Lightweight Tools

Hand-held concrete grinders are usually between 5 and 9 inches. This makes them very portable and easy to use for getting rid of concrete work blemishes. Most concrete grinding tools are heavy and often unable to access some difficult areas. But with hand-held concrete grinders, it’s easy to:

  • Carry them around
  • Reach difficult places

Disadvantages of Handheld Concrete Grinders

A. They Aren’t Suited to Large Projects

Most hand-held concrete grinders, while useful for small sized projects and small spots, aren’t effective for large areas. To work on a large area or space, you will need bigger concrete grinding machines. Hand-held concrete grinders are also ineffective for profiling large areas of concrete, unlike bigger walk-behind machines.

B. No Vacuum or Dust Collector

Bigger concrete grinding machines often have vacuums or dust collectors. Some of them even have a water dispenser to minimise dust released from the grinding. Concrete dust often contains high amounts of silica, harmful to workers’ health because they can cause:

  • Silicosis
  • Other respiratory diseases

In Melbourne and its surrounding areas, get the services of highly experienced concrete grinding services like Megasaw. We offer world class and very professional concrete grinding services. Get in touch with us now at 1300 920 419 or email us at Megasaw@bigpond.net.au for all your concrete grinding projects and other related works.

Selecting The Right Concrete Grinding Equipment and Tools

During the past few years, concrete grinding has advanced considerably and new technological innovations have made concrete grinding much more efficient. To achieve the results you desire, you must select the proper grinding machine and grinding bits that are suitable for your particular job. We will provide you with an overview on how to select the appropriate equipment for your needs.

Types Of Concrete Grinders

There are two different types of grinders currently available, floor models, and handheld models. Handheld grinders are lightweight and are used on walls, door seals, and other above ground areas. Since this type of grinder is handheld, you must control it manually in order to create a smooth surface, unlike floor models which are much heavier and require less manual control. The latest generation of handheld concrete grinders are fitted with type 28 saucer discs instead of type 27 flat discs and this allows the operator to exert more control over the job.

Concrete GrindingIn terms of size, floor grinders are naturally larger in size and also heavier than hand-held grinders and are normally used for resurfacing concrete floors. In comparison with the handheld units floor grinders are easier to control and can also cover larger areas in a relatively short span of time. These grinders also come with a variety of attachments making them suitable for many different kinds of concrete grinding jobs. They may be used to totally resurface a concrete floor or to remove a coating that was previously applied to the floor surface.

Types Of Grinder Attachments

The two head floor grinder attachments currently available on the market are actually a combination of six grinding stones or cutter heads. Each of these heads rotates in opposite directions giving the operator improved control over the grinding process. The standard grinding stones are normally suitable for removing concrete surface of some types of coatings, but if the coating is gummy or thick it may plug up the stones. Concrete grinders with diamond cutters are also available. Diamond cutter are most costly but they last much longer than standard stone grinders and they are capable of grinding at a much faster rate than standard, stone head grinders.

Another excellent available alternative are carbide concrete grinders. Carbide grinders are a better choice for heavy concrete coatings and they can perform with better efficiency on mastics, heavy paints, and gummy coatings.

If you require a high speed concrete floor grinder, the it is best for you to use large size diamond discs. They are perfectly designed for faster performance and are normally used for the purpose of removing painted traffic lines or for completely grinding concrete surface.

While grinding concrete, examine the condition of the concrete surface and select the right grinding tools and blades as explained above.

Diamond Grinding Concrete Floors, Tools, Methods and Basic Tips

Concrete floors are getting trendy and very common in homes and everywhere. Albeit, it doesn’t require a great deal of maintenance but it does call for daily care and cleaning for retaining the shine. The concrete is polished using machines that strips soiled and old concrete and unearths the new shiny layer.

How to polish concrete? By grinding the concrete ! This would require the right equipment for grinding. Let’s have a closer look the types of grinders that can help you grind your concrete flooring.

Types of Grinders

Concrete GrindingHand-held Grinders – These are small grinders that are used for minor grinding work. These are dustless and are mostly 5 – 7 inches in diameter with one head. It is quite common and versatile and is used often for domestic purpose. You can use it to remove paint or other irregularities found in a small part of your floor made of concrete. It cannot take place of walk-behind machines which are used to clean large sections of concrete.

Multiple-Held Grinders – Such type of grinders is packed with horizontally rotating discs that perform various tasks. The most vital aspect of this grinder is that several attachments can be fixed as per the requirement. Such attachments are in myriads of structure for various applications.

Dustless Grinders – These are dustless grinders having a dust cover to discard the dust collected in the cloak. This grinder saves your cleaning time and is packed with multiple features to perform the task quickly and gracefully.

How to Grind Concrete

Grinding machines meant for this purpose are equipped with disks imbued with diamond bits capable to grind down the concrete as per need to offer it the desired shine. These tools use fine-grit polishing disks to offer a sleek and smooth look to the floor.

To start with initially the coarse grits are applied to drain out the minor stains and other flaws. It readies the floor for further smoothing and cleaning. After this stage the process may require up to 3 to 4 passes to prepare the floor for final polishing. This entirely depends on the type of concrete as some may get its best shine in less cleaning and tougher concrete may require more counts of polishing. The advanced stage of polishing may require a polishing disk having finer grit – nearly 1800 to 3500 grits.

To start with, use 1800 grits of polishing disk, turn the hose on and apply about 1/2-inch of water over a 5 foot of area. Now stop the water source. Run the concrete grinder over the wet area until the entire water dries out. You should complete the entire floor section using this methodology.

When you are done, unplug the concrete appliance and now apply the next grit disk to the tool and follow the same process as you did with the earlier grit disk to get a better polish this time.

Again run the tool over all the wet areas and let the water dry out leaving the floor shining and even completely. Following these steps you can complete the polishing of the entire floor.

Now unplug the tool. It’s time to fix the 3500-grit polishing disk on the tool and use it the same way as before. Just ensure the floor remain wet wherever you use the concrete polishing tools. This final disk will offer the highest gloss shine that you are looking for. Once achieve the desired shine, mop off the floor.

Dry and Web Methods

You can grind the concrete using two methods: dry and wet.

In the wet method, water is required to cool the diamond grits and cleaning the dust that is formed while grinding process. In this type of grinding, water works as lubricant, simmers down the friction and elevates the life of polishing equipments, particularly the disks, which can melt due to high temperature.

In dry grinding the tool is featured with a separate provision to retain the dust within a cover leaving no mess behind.

You can use a fusion of both types of grinding to get the finest and desired shine in the concrete. Initially you can try dry grinding and finally the wet process to clean and finish the floor completely.

Precautions

It is advisable to unplug the polisher when changing grit polishing disks to ward off any possibility of electrical shock. You should wear gloves and rubber boots to avoid any damage to your hand and legs by heat and dust. Check the grinding tool for any cracks, chips or missing components before actually using it.

With right concrete grinding appliance and the appropriate process of grinding, you can polish the floor or the countertop of your kitchen on your own! But don’t forget that high-end grinding tool brings some specific risks too! Educate yourself in facilitating these tools properly to get the desired results and maintaining the right sustainability of the tools as well.