GRIND AND SHINE
The Preparation Group discusses how proper subfloor preparation using a grinding machine is the key to preventing floor failure.
Uneven surfaces, high spots, contaminants, worn coatings, adhesives, friable substrates and laitance all need to be removed, prior to laying a new screed, resin, adhesive or coating. The floor finish will be compromised and can de- bond, if the subfloor isn’t flat, clean and dry.
Mechanical surface preparation is a sustainable option that quickly takes the floor back to basics, removing any residues that might cause a floor to fail. The new flooring material specified, will dictate the degree of ‘profiling’ or texturing that is required.
Grinding is the best method for removing surface contaminants, adhesives, paint, sealers and coatings and for cleaning the surface. The result will be a flat, level and smooth profile suitable for most coatings.
Grinding models are available in single-phase or three-phase electric and in single-head, double-head and multi-head versions. There are also petrol-powered alternatives where electricity isn’t available and variable speed models which can be fitted with accessories for wet grinding and polishing applications.
The grinding principle is achieved by diamond, tungsten or resin-bonded plates or discs which are secured to the single or multiple rotating heads. There is an infinite range of grades of diamond, resin bonded and Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD) shoes, for removal of adhesives and coatings and for grinding, smoothing and polishing decorative and concrete screeds.
As a general rule, hard composition surfaces will require a soft bond diamond segment or disc and soft compositions a hard bond. The correct diamond accessory is important, as incorrect selection will either simply glaze over the surface without creating the profile or will ‘wear out’ extremely quickly in the initial stages of the operation.
However, grinding is not recommended if the surface is very uneven or on ‘tamped’ concrete.
twitter.com/TContractFloors CASE STUDY – A BEAUTIFUL SOLUTION
FOR AN UNPREPARED FLOOR The Preparation Group’s contracting division PPC, was recently appointed to renovate the floor for an office in Portsmouth. The 35m² surface had gone through a number of changes, having started off as polished concrete that had been carpeted over. The carpet had then been lifted and latex laid, but deposits of adhesive and carpet backing hadn’t been removed first, leaving a poor finish. The brief was to remove the latex and grind and polish the underlying concrete.
The company used its Terrco 2000 grinding and polishing machine with metal bonded diamonds to remove the latex and adhesive and to make the area flat and smooth.
Terrco machines feature contra-rotating heads for a smoother grind, with minimal operator intervention and as they’re direct drive and not belt driven this saves money on replacement parts and avoids unnecessary downtime. There are five models in the range, designed for heavy duty grinding and high lustre polishing.
The grinding operation was carried out carefully to ensure that minimal aggregate was exposed, so that the floor matched the powerfloat concrete polished surfaces in the adjoining rooms.
For the next stage, resin bonded diamonds up to 1500 grit were employed to polish the surface, during which the company’s new grout in Dovetail Grey was applied to fill the pinholes.
To finish, a Densifier & Eco-Seal were applied to strengthen and protect the concrete, extending its working life as well as giving an easily maintainable floor. The 430 Burnisher machine fitted with Storm Diamond Pads was used for final finishing to glaze the surface.
The project took two days and left the client with the desired high-gloss finish.
www.ppcgroup.co.uk www.thepreparationgroup.com SUBFLOOR PREPARATION | 33
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
