Surface preparation is the the key to longevity!
Pro Crete Industries offers a full-service floor removal operation. We use specialized machinery to remove epoxy coatings, carpet glue, tile, epoxy, thin-set, and more. If you are planning on installing ceramic tiles, VCT, wood floor, or even carpet, we are the right people for the job.
HOW GRINDING WORKS
In the last decade the improvements in terrazzo grinders have allowed use to use large walk behind grinders for concrete preparation for removals of Epoxy coatings and all types of materials by using specific attachments for each type of removal . It is even possible to produce an almost marble or terrazzo-like appearance by using diamond attachment's by repeatedly going over the concrete floor with finer and finer abrasives to polish concrete. The walk behind grinders typically use several counter rotating blades and large pulse vacuum systems.
The hand grinding works grate for edging along walls and equipment that cant be taken of the floor it most commonly comes in 7" models specially adapted with dust shrouds allowing them to be connected to dust recovery vacuum systems.
Diamond Grinding Pros
• Can remove thick Epoxy and well bonded material's.
• Can produce a very smooth and uniform surface
• Works well used along side shot blaster
Diamond Grinding Cons
• Diamond grinding is much slower than shotblasting.
• Consumption of diamond blades and abrasives can be costly especiall when removing thick coating or smoothing out rough concrete.
HOW SHOTBLASTING WORKS
Shotblasting works much like sandblasting. A blast wheel spines at a high speeds throwing steel shot at the concrete braking up the concrete/material and profiling it at an even pace. A vacuum system then draws the shot and concrete dust off the floor. The heavy shot gets separated and recycled and the dust is draw into the vacuum. Shotblasting is by far our most common form of preparation for Epoxy floor coating
Shotblasting Pros
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• Shotblasting has the ability to effectively prepare rough and uneven concrete as well as brand new concrete.
• It’s cost per square foot is one of the most cost effective.
• As a dry process it allows for immediate application of coatings shortening installation times.
• Individual machines are capable of preparing 1,000’s of square feet per hour and this can be compounded by using multiple machines for large or time sensitive installations
Shotblasting Cons
• Shotblasting may remove too much concrete especially with soft concrete or inexperienced operators.
• Some smaller machines leave overlap marks requiring a little extra material or fill.
• Shotblasters may have difficulty removing flexible or soft materials as well as high build coatings and resurfaces.
HOW SCARIFING WORKS
Scarifiers; works by using steel and or carbide star shaped cutters mounted in rows with several rows around the perimeter of a rotating drum. The cutters come in several sizes and variations for different applications. With this drum machines can remove between ¼ inch and 2 inches in a single pass. Scarifies are most often seen in the road construction business. They can be used for the removal of asphalt roads traffic lines, grinding down high spots and grooving the surface. Scarification is very effective in removing thick old coatings and resurfaces
Scarifiers Pros
• Scarification excels at removing thicker epoxy coating and resurfacers.
Scarifiers Cons
• Scarification leaves an aggressive profile more so than shotblasting. This texture usually requires at least 1/8 inch of resurface to restore the surface to a smooth uniform texture.
• Cost of wear items such as cutters and supporting cages result in a high cost per square foot than most other removal methods and is of moderate speed in terms of operation.