Four Commercial Environments that Require Concrete Grinder Hire

Concrete floors are great for a range of commercial environments due to their long lifespan, cost-effective maintenance and reflective and hygienic properties. They are also  able to withstand the heavy foot traffic of a lot of visitors and create an upscale flooring option for high-profile reception areas, offices, hairdressers and retail buildings. Installing a concrete floor in your commercial space might require you to hire concrete grinders in order to achieve the fine polished finish you’re looking for. A concrete grinder is used to grind concrete and level and polish the floor using rapidly rotating disks, you can use different grit sizes to achieve different levels of shine.

Here are four spaces that might require concrete grinder hire.

Offices

Upgrading your office by adding concrete flooring is a great decision and will create a space that is easier to clean and looks great, providing a professional first impression to potential clients or business associates. To achieve a polished concrete floor for your office, it’s wise to hire a concrete grinder from a professional flooring machine hire company and use their expertise to advise you on the best grinders for the job.

Restaurants

Whether you’re opening a new restaurant or renovating an existing one, hiring concrete grinders will create a contemporary stylish finish to your restaurant. Polished concrete flooring is ideal for cafes, breweries, coffee shops and bakeries and hiring a concrete grinder will give you a level surface suitable for bar areas, dining rooms and waiting areas.

Schools and universities

Educational institutions have to withstand a lot of foot traffic, where hundreds of students travel across campus to get to their next class. These areas are ideal for durable concrete flooring solutions and will require concrete grinder hire in order to ensure a level, non-slip floor for students and staff to safely travel around school. Museums are a similar commercial space that would require concrete grinder hire, as such a large area of flooring needs to be levelled and polished to make the space safe and attractive for a large number of visitors.

Retail spaces and shopping centres

Retail spaces rely on an attractive shopfront to draw in customers and require a durable and alluring floor. This is when concrete grinder hire would help to elevate your retail space by creating a polished floor for your shop. Levelling and polishing your concrete floor creates a professional and welcoming aesthetic that reflects light well and is easy to maintain.

Here at Concept Flooring Technology, we supply a range of commercial floor buffing equipment including polishing finishing grinders and preparation grinders to give you a great finish to your commercial space. Our friendly team have years of experience in commercial flooring solutions and will be able to answer any questions you have regarding our flooring machines for hire. Get in touch with us today to find out more.

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How to Choose the Correct Grinding Blade for Your Concrete Grinding Job

The success of your concrete floor grinding comes down to selecting the right tools for the job including the right grinders and blades. Concrete grinders use diamond pads to grind down the concrete with hard synthetic diamonds, they come in a variety of grit sizes and types so it can be slightly confusing knowing which to pick.

Here’s our guide to choosing the correct diamond blades for your concrete grinding job.

Diamond grit sizes

Grit is measured in micrometres and given a numerical value based on its size. The smaller the grit number the bigger its size so, a 30 grit pad will have bigger diamond particles than a 100 grit pad. In a lot of concrete grinding jobs such as floor grinding, 30 to 40 grit pads work well to start. You can then move up to finer grit sizes. If you’re working on a polishing job, use 60 to 80 grit next and continue increasing up to 3000 grit until you achieve your desired look.

As a general rule, use 30 to 40 grit as a prep grit, 18 to 20 as an aggressive removal and 80 to 100 for polishing. Choose a finer grit after this if you still want a more polished concrete floor.

Bonds

The bonds of your grinding tool are what hold the diamonds in place and to get the right finish on your concrete floor, the bonds need to break down at the correct rate to release new diamonds at the right time. Grinding is a mutually abrasive process of both the tool and the concrete, so the wear rate of the tool should be equal to the wear rate of the slab. The bond should match the size of the diamond to allow the bonds to wear and expose new sharp edges of the diamond.

Hard vs. soft concrete

You need to take into account whether the concrete you’re grinding is hard or soft as this will affect the type of diamond abrasives you need to get. By choosing the right grit for the concrete, you’ll ensure the pad lasts longer. For example, using hard diamonds to grind hard concrete will not produce the desired result because grinding hard concrete doesn’t produce much sand. So, when the diamonds break and blunt, the metal bonding around them is not worn away as easily meaning the diamonds do not become as exposed as they would with soft concrete, which produces more sand during grinding. 

If you are grinding hard concrete, it’s better to use a lower grit size, around 20 and a soft bond, so that the bond and the diamond wear down at the same rate. 

Concept Flooring Technology offers a wide range of grinder consumables including diamond blades for concrete grinding in a variety of grit sizes. We also offer flooring machine hire to help you get the job done. Contact our friendly team today to find out more.

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Looking For Commercial Renovation Ideas? Here’s How a Grinder Polisher Can Transform Your Floors

Many businesses look to reform and reorder their commercial spaces to benefit their business long term. This could include creating more storage space, installing new machinery, and even creating new commercial spaces. However, this can be a very costly and time-consuming process and one which can disrupt the day-to-day running of your business. This is why it’s important to take advantage of the versatility offered by grinder polishers. They do the job of multiple machines and there’s a whole range of options for you to choose from so that there’ll always be the right model for your needs.

Continue reading to find out how your plans to renovate your commercial premises can be made a lot easier and more time-efficient by using a grinder polisher!

What is a Grinder Polisher?

A grinder polisher is a machine that does exactly what it says on the tin – it grinds and it polishes! They have a number of rotating heads on the bottom of them and when they pass over a surface, these rotating heads remove the top layers of that material. Usually, pads are applied to the rotating heads to let them grind more consistently over time as more crystals are exposed as the pad is used.

For larger commercial spaces, a walk-behind grinder polisher is usually the right choice and for smaller areas, a hand-held or single-headed model is usually chosen. Only for very large areas, like transport hubs, are sit-on machines used. As will be discussed, that they come in a range of sizes which is a core reason why they’re so beneficial for commercial renovations.

How Many Rotating Heads Will You Need?

The main thing you’ll need to decide upon when you’re looking to hire a grinder polisher is how many rotating heads you think you’ll need. This is important because it dictates to what extent you’ll get a uniform, shiny, and refined finish.

Single-headed machines might lack in area coverage but they make up for this by their more concentrated weight distribution. Because there’s only one head, the weight of the machine is channelled through a smaller surface area which makes this type of grinder polisher great for levelling floors and other tasks that require aggressive levels of grinding. If you’d like a similar effect but with a larger coverage area then dual-headed machines are your best option.

Then there are ‘planetary’ grinder polishers. Because these have over two rotating heads, the weight of the machine is displaced over a larger surface area. Because of this even distribution, the surface is much more uniform which allows light to reflect more smoothly from the material, which is what made your school sports hall so shiny!

You Won’t Need a Heavy Duty Floor Stripper or a Buffer Machine!

Another key benefit of grinder polishers is that you won’t need separate stripping machines. The same grinding process that wears down concrete can be used on other materials that are difficult to remove. Rather than making a mess and using anti-materials, why not just grind down the wax or glue that attached your floorboards together or the wallpaper to the wall? The important thing to keep in mind is to choose the correct grinding pad for the material you’re grinding, from tile stripping to removing glue.

Lots of people wrongly think that they’ll also require a separate buffer machine to achieve that shiny finish. As explained, in reality, your grinder polisher can accomplish this job, provided it has the appropriate number of rotating heads. Choosing a machine with at least four heads will accomplish the shiniest and most uniform finish because it’ll allow for greater weight distribution across those pads.

Saving Time and Money

That hiring a grinder polisher will reduce the number of other tools and equipment you’ll need isn’t a factor to overlook. As all businesspeople know, time is money. Not only do you save money in the short term as you won’t need to hire out multiple pieces of equipment from different hire companies, but you also won’t have to keep your business running at such a limited capacity for as long.

The other benefit is that all of our machines are very usable. They come with all their instructions and our team are more than happy to set the equipment up and to show you how to use them before you get going. This saves total labour costs. The fact that all of our machines come with dust extraction units only reinforces the above points. In essence, the versatility of grinder polishers comes into full force during commercial renovations where you’ll likely have many more steps, which will be more complex, than you might for a residential renovation.

Versatility: From Drive-on Vehicles to Hand-held Sanding Machine Hire

For people who require a smaller grinder polisher, we have a number of options available with a lower 110v power. To avoid needing to separately hire a generator, we can supply you with a transformer so that these grinder polishers can run off your mains sockets. If that’s not small enough and you have particularly awkward places to grind and polish, such as nooks, crannies, and very awkwardly angled corners, then we also have some hand-held models.

Not only this but we also have some edger polisher grinders that are specifically designed to grind and polish right up to the wall. This is because the rotating head sits on a pivot, giving the user greater handling and accuracy, rather than trying to steer larger, heavier models into awkward positions.

The last thing to consider is that we also have the appropriate dust extraction machines for each of our grinder polishers. It’s important to be safe whilst using grinder polishers and the large quantity of dust created by using them contains sulfur particles which are particularly dangerous. Attaching a dust extraction unit, and using dust skirtings to seal off the connection point will drastically reduce your exposure to these harmful sulfur particles. That we also offer dust extraction units means you don’t have the added hassle and expenses of sourcing one separately, which will help your commercial renovation go a lot smoother.

Commercial renovation can be a very costly, time-consuming, and stressful process. From sourcing all the materials and equipment to operating your business on a limited capacity to all the large and small costs involved. What a lot of business owners and runners don’t realise is that grinder polishers can solve a lot of these problems in one go. They can do the work that multiple machines would otherwise do, such as buffering floors to a shine and clearing materials from surfaces, and there’s a huge range of options available so that there’ll always be a model to suit your needs.

At Concept Flooring Technology, we offer a range of services in addition to grinder polisher machine hire. We sell the consumables that go with these machines, as well as dedicated planers, cleaning machines, preparation grinders, stripping machines, and operated plant machinery. Unlike other hire companies, we’ve specifically chosen to specialise in floor machinery so that we can deliver the best quality service possible. If you have any further questions about grinder polishers or any of our other services, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 01494 484054 today!

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Which Commercial Floor Polisher is Best for You?

With concrete floors becoming increasingly popular, you’ll want them to be as shiny as mirrors. By hand, this would probably take months, if not years, to achieve such a uniform and shiny surface. Alternatively, you could hire some equipment from a floor cleaner hire like Concept Flooring Technology, who will deliver their tools and machines to your doorstep.

This guide outlines the main factors that you need to consider when looking to hire a floor polisher. Whether you need a floor polisher for a multi-story car showroom or for small warehouse spaces, the ideal floor polisher is out there waiting for you!

What Are Floor Polishers Used For?

Floor polishers use rotating heads with particular attachments to scrub, polish, and buff floors. In this sense, they can be viewed as big sanding tools for concrete flooring. These are especially useful in large commercial spaces where a lot of surface area needs to be covered quickly.

However, floor polish machines have a broad range of applications aside from polishing. They can also be used to strip surfaces. Whether it be that your floorboards need to be stripped of their old wax, or that you need to remove paint or wallpaper glue from walls, floor polishers will do the job. They’re also used to burnish a floor, which allows light to reflect from the floor with greater ease by levelling the surface to an increasingly finer degree.

Saving Money With Floor Cleaner Hire

Hiring a floor polisher is a great idea for many reasons, one of which being that it reduces long-term costs. This is because the actual use of the machine doesn’t use a lot of harmful chemicals and doesn’t need too much labour.

More significantly, the polishing process makes surfaces more durable which reduces their likelihood of cracking, chipping and scratching over time. This reduces the amount of maintenance, and potentially the amount of replacements, that will be required in the future. This is especially true for particularly large commercial spaces where repairing or replacing large sections of flooring can be disruptive to your business.

How Many Rotating Heads Do You Need?

Depending on your aims, you’ll need to think about how many rotating blades you’d like your floor polisher to have. For smaller grinding jobs and for places that are hard to reach, a single-headed grinder is a good option, although it’s not ideal for polishing because it offers less even weight distribution. If you need a bit more coverage but you’re still in an enclosed or awkward area, a dual-headed grinder polisher is what you need.

Then there are ‘planetary’ floor polishers, made up of either three or four heads. 3-headed floor polishers grind the floor quicker and they’re much better for polishing as they distribute weight more evenly. If you’re looking to grind and polish a particularly large area, a 4-headed option is great as it has very large floor coverage.

What Kind of Area Are You Using the Floor Polisher For?

Another important factor to consider is what type of area you’ll be using the floor polisher for. If the concrete you wish to treat isn’t a level surface then you may first require a dry machine with fewer heads to aggressively grind down risen areas. You may secondly wish to use a wet machine with more heads as they’re better at levelling surfaces to a very fine margin.

If the area has a lot of awkward places that are more difficult to reach, then an edger machine is also a good idea. This is more lightweight and typically uses one smaller head. It may also have a straight edge to allow you to run the polisher closer against the wall.

This factor also depends on the type of finish you’re after. If you want a rougher finish where you can see the aggregate then you may want a polisher with fewer heads. If you’re after a well-refined, smoother finish then you’ll want a polisher with more heads.

Dust Extraction

An important consideration when choosing a floor polisher is that grinding concrete floors produces large quantities of dust. Some ‘dry’ models store this dust in a specific compartment whereas ‘wet’ versions have dust extractors and use water as a lubricant. Extracting dust properly when using a floor polishing tool is important because dust particles contain silica particles which are bad for the lungs.

Which Consumable Attachments Will I Need?

Resin Bond Diamond Tooling: Otherwise known simply as ‘polish pads,’ these can be used as a good starting point when smoothing flat floors. The bond is important as it keeps the diamond in place whilst it grinds surfaces. It also wears at a slow rate, allowing unused crystals to surface, making the machine last longer. Pairing the correct bond with the appropriate working material is crucial here.

Dust Skirts: Dust skirts create a seal between the floor polishing machine and the dust collection machine. This means that no dust escapes from between the two, allowing for a more efficient and cleaner grinding experience.

Metal Bond Diamond Tooling: These pads are more suitable for medium to hard levels of surface grinding. Because they grind and polish more aggressively, they’re ideal for removing thick coatings. Like with resin options, the bond wears down to expose new crystals but this type of polishing pad also uses multiple types of diamond crystals for the most effective surface grind.

You Might Also Want a Grout Cleaning Machine

Generally, grout cleaning tools come with either an oscillating or a reciprocating saw. This movement allows the tool to get further into nooks and crannies and to work at particularly hardened or built-up areas of grout. This is important if your floor uses tiles as the grout between these tiles will need to be replaced before the whole surface is polished.

Health and Safety

It’s also important that users understand the health and safety risks involved with using these types of heavy machinery. As mentioned, the dust produced by grinding concrete, which potentially contains silica particles, is bad for your lungs so it’s a good idea to wear a mask. Another health problem to keep in mind is hand arm vibrations. Using heavy machinery that vibrates quickly over a long period of time can lead to long-term physical disabilities. Wearing some form of buffer like a thick pair of gloves reduces this risk.

To ensure that everybody can use our machines safely, they’re delivered with the accompanying P.A.T. certification and sticker, electrical and fuel safety sheets, and hand arm vibration information. We can also set the equipment up for you and show you how it all works if you’re not yet confident using floor polishers.

Choosing the correct floor polisher is an important first step to getting your commercial flooring to look top-tier. To do this, you need to understand your requirements so this guide has outlined the main factors that need to be considered. The key is getting the right balance between the type of floor you’re looking to grind and polish and the physical dimensions of the polisher, such as its overall size and the amount of rotating heads it has.

At Concept Flooring Technology, we’ll have the most appropriate floor polisher for you. If you have any questions, or if you’d like to hear about any of our other services, then don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 01494 485952 today!

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Four Reasons to Hire a Scrubber Dryer

A scrubber dryer is one of the many flooring machines you can hire to keep your floor looking clean and shiny. They work by rotating brushes on the floor’s surface in a scrubbing motion to remove dirt and residue from the floor, which is then collected by a vacuum to leave the floor clean and dry. Rather than buying a scrubber dryer which can be a pricey investment, some companies will be able to rent them out for a cheaper price.

But why might you need to hire a scrubber dryer? Here are a few reasons it would be beneficial for your business to rent a scrubber dryer.

Rental company handles repairs

Choosing to rent a scrubber dryer means you don’t have to worry if something goes wrong with the machine as the rental company will take care of repairs. They’ll collect the scrubber dryer and give you another one to help you get the job done, meaning you aren’t left with costly repairs or prolonged interruptions to your work. As well as this, the rental company will have plenty of expertise to impart so they can teach you how to use the machine and set it up for you.

Saves you money

By renting a scrubber dryer you’ll save money, not only on costly repairs but also on the overall price, as scrubber dryers are a big investment. Rather than dishing out a large sum of money, you can rent a machine as and when you need it which is much more cost-effective. You’ll also be able to get your hands on a much better model for a lower price and only pay for the times it’s being used, rather than it sitting in a cupboard depreciating over time.

More time efficient

Instead of cleaning large areas with a mop and bucket, a scrubber dryer is much faster and easier to use so saves you time. It’s much safer than standard cleaning practices because it leaves the floor dry, rather than wet and slippery, which can lead to accidents. You’ll also be left with a much cleaner floor than a mop and bucket because it cleans deeper and doesn’t spread germs around like a bucket of dirty water does. 

Highly effective

Traditional cleaning methods can’t compete with a scrubber dryer, they are able to clean surfaces better than mops, cloths and standard vacuums. You’ll be able to achieve a much higher standard of cleanliness, particularly ideal for premises such as food factories. A scrubber dryer will sweep, scrub and dry all in a single operation, saving you time while getting a more powerful clean. There are great scrubber dryers available for rent so you can get a higher quality machine for less money. 

Concept Flooring Technology offers scrubber dryer rental to help maintain your floors available in walk-behind & ride-on, ideal for keeping your floors clean and adding the finishing touches to any commercial or domestic space. Get in touch with our team to find out more.

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What Are the Benefits of Concrete Grinder Hire?

Concrete flooring is one of the most common types of flooring used in both residential and commercial buildings. It’s non-absorbent nature, durability and aesthetic appearance make it a popular choice for use in warehouses, schools, industrial buildings, commercial properties and more. 

Concrete is very hard wearing and relatively easy to maintain but it does require some upkeep to ensure it looks its best. You might need to level the flooring, repair some cracks or damage, or prepare the floor for a new coating. It’s likely that you’ll require a concrete grinder in any of these circumstances and this piece of equipment has many useful applications. Hiring (instead of purchasing) the machine brings even more benefits, so if you’re looking for ‘concrete grinder hire near me’, see below to find out more about the benefits and uses of this machinery. 

What is a concrete grinder? 

As you might expect, a concrete grinder is a machine that’s used to grind concrete! This equipment is available in a range of sizes and models, including handheld concrete grinders and walk-behind concrete grinders for larger areas. Grinders can be electric or petrol-powered and there are many different options to suit your requirements. 

Concrete grinders use an abrasive material to grind the flooring down to the desired finish. Common abrasives include diamond-coated pads and diamond blades, which are available in a range of grits from coarse to fine. Many machines are compatible with a variety of different pads or blades, so you can choose the right ones depending on the material you’re grinding and how abrasive it is. 

There are two common options when choosing a concrete grinder; preparation grinders or polishing finishing grinders. Preparation grinders are used to level and prepare a concrete floor for polishing or the application of new paint or coatings. Polishing finishing grinders are used once the concrete has been prepared and they give a final glossy sheen to the flooring. 

What can a concrete grinder be used for?

Concrete grinders are highly versatile and they can do a lot more than simply ‘grinding down’ the floor. If you think you might need concrete grinder hire, see below to find out more about floor grinding and their other applications. 

Floor grinding and levelling

Concrete flooring must be properly prepared before it can be polished or painted. A preparation grinder can be used to grind and level the concrete if it’s cracked, damaged or uneven. Rapidly rotating diamond discs are used to smooth and level out the surface of the concrete. You may need a range of different diamond discs or blades, depending on the size of the area and the level of abrasiveness required. 

Polishing concrete

Once the concrete has been prepped, you can use a polishing finishing machine to buff the flooring to a high shine. This will involve using a finer grain diamond disc to achieve the desired sheen. In most cases, the process will start using a coarser disc, with a move towards finer abrasives as each level is ground down. 

Bitumen removal

Bitumen is an adhesive material that’s commonly used in paving and roof applications. It was also widely used in the flooring process up until the 1980s but some of this bitumen contained asbestos. Asbestos poses a serious health risk so any remaining bitumen must be removed from old flooring. 

Concrete floor grinders are highly effective at removing bitumen quickly and effectively. It’s recommended that an asbestos survey is performed on the property first to ensure safety and full compliance with any legislation. 

Paint, latex or adhesive removal 

Most concrete floors have a thin layer of paint, latex or adhesive on their surface. Any old coatings must be thoroughly removed before the floor is polished, or a new coating is added. This can be done using chemicals or power washing tools, but concrete grinding is often the most effective method. 

Concrete grinding offers a chemical free solution and it’s less labour intensive than scrubbing the floor with chemicals. Grinding also removes any old coating and prepares the flooring for a new coating at the same time. 

The benefits of hiring a concrete grinder

There are many benefits to be gained from hiring, instead of purchasing, a concrete grinder. If you require a concrete grinder for your next job, read on for some of the benefits of hiring this equipment. 

Cost-effective

As you might expect, hiring the equipment is much more affordable compared to buying a brand new model. You might need the grinder for a one-off job, or you’ll only need to use it every few years, so it makes sense to hire the equipment as and when you need. 

Concrete grinding and polishing can also give the concrete a finish that mimics far more expensive materials, like marble. This is another great cost-effective benefit and you can enjoy the look of a shiny, polished surface without the price tag. 

A range of models to choose from

A professional hire company will have a range of high quality makes and models to choose from. This will include handheld grinders, preparation grinders and polishing finishing grinders for hire. You may also require more than one grinder depending on the job (e.g a preparation grinder and a handheld grinder for the floor edges). Concrete grinder hire ensures that you can access all the equipment you need quickly and easily. 

Professional help and advice

Floor grinding can be tricky if you don’t have much experience. It’s vital to select the right machine for your requirements, as well as diamonds with the right level of abrasiveness. Staff at a grinder hire company will be experts in their field and they’ll be able to offer you professional help and advice. If you’re not sure which machine would be most suitable or need advice about diamonds, don’t leave things to chance, use a hire company to get the expert advice you need. 

Quality and efficiency

Hire machines may not be brand new but you can be confident that the equipment will be maintained to a high standard. Hire services are also very efficient and many companies offer next day delivery where possible.  

Aesthetic appeal 

If you want to increase the aesthetic appeal of your concrete floors, concrete grinder hire is the way to go. Concrete grinding and polishing machines can be used to give an even finish and fantastic shine. As mentioned above, this polished finish can mimic the look of materials like marble for increased aesthetic appeal. 

Reliable, high quality floor grinder rental from Concept Flooring Technology 

If you’re in need of high quality concrete grinder hire for your next project, get in touch with the experts at Concept Flooring Technology. We’re proud to offer a range of machinery, including handheld grinders, preparation grinders and polishing and finishing grinders for hire. Our machines are suitable for a wide range of applications, including adhesive removal, coarse grinding and preparation, finishing edges and concrete polishing. 

Unsure about which machine is right for you? Don’t hesitate to get in touch to speak to our experts. We’re on hand to offer professional help and advice so you can select the right concrete grinder for your requirements. Whether you need a heavy duty grinder or a buffer machine, we can help, so give us a call today or contact us online.

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A Mini Guide to Using a Floor Grinder

Flooring material needs to be practical, hard wearing and hygienic, especially if it’s being used in high traffic areas or a building like a hospital or a school. Even the most hard-wearing material will need to be repaired, maintained or replaced from time to time and it’s essential to have the right equipment for the job. 

A floor grinder is a highly useful piece of machinery that can be used for both DIY and commercial applications. This machine can be used for a variety of projects but it’s important to make sure you know what you’re doing, especially if you’re using a floor grinder for the first time. If you’re thinking about floor grinder rental and want to know more about this machine and how to use it, see below for our handy guide. 

What is a floor grinder?

A floor grinder is a machine which uses rotating discs to clean, polish, smooth or resurface flooring. They’re commonly used on concrete flooring but they can also be used on hardwood or stone floors. Floor grinders can be used to prepare a floor (by removing leftover adhesive, paint or glue, or levelling the surface), or they can be used to polish and finish the floor to a high shine. 

Floor grinders are available in walk behind or ride-on models, as well as smaller, handheld grinders. 

How does a floor grinder work? 

Floor grinding machines all work in roughly the same way, although there is a difference in their quality, power and abilities. Abrasive pads on the bottom of the machine grind off the top surface of the floor, helping to level it out or remove surface level blemishes. Some floor grinders use slightly different pads to clean and polish the floor and give it a shiny, reflective surface. 

An operator moves the machine over the surface of the floor in a smooth, even motion, while discs underneath spin around. Each disc holds a pad which grinds or polishes the floor (depending on the pad material). Floor grinders can have just one disc, or as many as six working at once.

Diamond-coated discs and diamond blades are common abrasives used in floor grinding machines. They’re available in a range of grits ranging from coarse to fine and it’s important to select the right level for the job (more on this later). 

Floor grinders can be used in both wet and dry conditions depending on their application. Wet floor grinders use water to cool down the diamond pads and remove excess dust. Water helps to reduce friction and increase the lifespan of your machine, but it can be quite messy to work with. 

If you’re using the dry method, the machine will polish the floor while containers within the grinder remove and store the dust. Both methods are often used for best practice; the dry method will remove any imperfections or uneven sections of flooring and the wet method can polish the floor to give an attractive finish. 

Major applications which require floor grinders

Floor grinders are versatile machines that can be used for a variety of different applications. We’ll explore some of the most common uses in more detail below. 

Floor grinding and levelling 

This application is most commonly used on concrete floors, as the surface must be properly prepared before repainting or adding a coating. Floor grinders can be used to level the floor and smooth away any inconsistencies or damage in the floor’s surface or edges. Coarse diamond discs will be needed for this application and you may need to go over the surface several times to achieve your desired result. 

Polishing 

Once a floor has been prepped and made level, it can then be polished to a high shine. Different discs may need to be used during the polishing process, with a move towards finer abrasives with each polish. Floor polishing is highly effective and it gives an attractive, mirror-like shine to surfaces such as concrete. 

Hardwood flooring applications

Floor grinders can also be used to smooth and refinish hardwood floors. Grinders remove the top layer of flooring to reveal the fresh wood underneath and this can then be treated with a new wood stain or fresh layer of sealant. 

It’s recommended that you refinish hardwood flooring every seven to 10 years and grinders allow you to remove any scratches, dents or stains on the surface of the wood. They also remove any traces of old varnish and allow you to change the colour of the stain if required. 

Stone flooring applications 

Floor grinders are ideal for use on concrete but they can also be used on other stone flooring materials, such as marble or granite. Floor grinding can change and restore the appearance of stone flooring by levelling the surface, preparing the surface for treatment or polishing the stone to a reflective shine. 

Screed removal

Screed is often confused with concrete, but there are differences in the finish, the size of aggregates used and the mix consistency. Screed is poured as a thin layer to create a smooth coating on a floor and it’s often found underneath tiles. When renovating or repairing a floor, you may need to remove an old layer of screed first. This can be done using a floor grinder, which will grind down the top layer until the screed is gone. 

Paint, latex and adhesive removal

If you’re replacing flooring like carpet, vinyl tiles or rubber, you’ll first need to use a stripping machine to remove the existing flooring. Once this is done, it’s likely that they’ll be some adhesive, latex or paint left behind. Concrete flooring may also have some patches of an existing coating that will need to be removed before repainting or resealing. 

If you need to remove paint, latex or adhesive from a floor, you can do so using a floor grinding machine. They provide a chemical-free way to remove any existing paint or coatings and ensure the floor is prepared for the next stage. 

How to use your floor grinder effectively

Floor grinders are versatile and powerful machines, but it’s important to know how to use your grinder effectively. This will make the job much easier and give you the required finish you’re after. 

Pick the right diamonds 

Choosing the right diamond pads is crucial to achieve your desired finish. You may have to experiment with a few different types but it’s worth doing as much research as you can beforehand. This includes understanding different bonds and segment styles, as well as testing the concrete hardness if possible.

You’ll also need to think about whether you’re removing material (like glue or screed) and if you’ll be polishing the floor afterwards. Diamonds that are too abrasive could scratch the floor beyond repair, so always consult a professional if you’re unsure. 

Don’t rush 

You’ll achieve the best results if you take your time and don’t rush, especially if you’re removing stubborn patches of adhesive or paint. Rushing means that you might have to go over the same area multiple times, which then takes more time in the long run! Go slowly and carefully, especially around the edges of the floor. 

Make sure there’s adequate power

Some larger grinders require more than household power. You may need a generator or have to consult an electrician to make sure there’s adequate power before the work begins. This is especially important if you’re using a floor grinder for a DIY job at home. 

Concept Flooring Technology – The Specialists in Floor Grinding Equipment Hire

If you’re looking to hire a floor grinder for your next project, get in touch with the experts at Concept Flooring Technology. We’re proud to offer a range of high quality flooring machines for hire, including floor grinders, concrete floor polishers, handheld grinders and preparation grinders. 

Our machines are suitable for a wide range of applications, from re-levelling a concrete floor, to polishing, tile stripping or removing existing paints, latex or coatings. Our floor grinding equipment is available for hire nationwide and we aim to offer next day delivery for all customers. Unsure about which floor machine is right for you? Give us a call today to speak to our friendly, knowledgeable team, or contact us online.

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Why is Dust Extraction Important?

Whether you’re grinding or stripping your flooring, maintaining a safe environment is essential. However, one area that is often overlooked is dust extraction. Removing dust and debris is important in the floor preparation process, not only for your health but in creating an efficient work site.

Here’s why dust extraction is important.

Reduces health-related risks

Perhaps the most important reason for hiring dust extraction equipment is your improved health and safety. Dust may seem harmless, but even a small amount can cause respiratory issues if you don’t have the right precautions in place. Extraction equipment will reduce the amount of dust in the air and therefore, the amount you breathe in including harmful particles that are released from particular materials.

Better working conditions

Using any type of equipment requires a steady hand and concentration. If your workspace is filled with dust, this can affect your productivity and the quality of your work. Alternatively, dust extractors operate alongside your equipment so dust is extracted while you work. 

Keep your machinery operating efficiently

Keeping dust at bay is beneficial for your health as well as staying productive. Leaving dust and debris to buildup is a surefire way of clogging up your machinery and over time this will affect its performance. Using a dust extractor is a simple yet effective way of overcoming this problem so you can spend more time getting on with your project and less time avoiding repairs.

Meeting safety guidelines

If you’re hiring flooring equipment for your team then it’s your responsibility to ensure that your setup is safe. Dust will lower the air quality so it needs to be managed effectively, plus nobody wants to work in an unbearable environment. Hiring dust extraction equipment alongside your flooring machines will minimise high-risk materials such as asbestos and lead causing problems and ensure that you’re in line with safety guidelines.

At Concept Flooring Technology, we have a wide range of flooring machinery available for hire as well as suitable dust extractors. Safety should always be a top priority while operating our machinery, which is why our knowledgeable team will help you find the right equipment for the job. Get in touch with us today for more information.

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Preparing For Flooring Machine Hire: What PPE Do I Need?

When hiring flooring machinery it’s important to consider the safety aspect of your project. Do you have an appropriate PPE? A risk assessment should be done beforehand to determine which PPE is required or get expert advice from our team who will guide you through the necessary safety steps and precautions.

In this blog, we explain some of the most essential PPE that you may need. 

Ear protection

Using flooring machines can be a noisy job. To keep your ears protected, ear defenders, ear muffs or ear buds will cut down the pressure on your eardrum and muffle the sound. If you’re using machinery all day without protection, this can result in problems such as tinnitus or infections.

Safety footwear

When using walk-behind machines you must wear the right kind of footwear. Open toe shoes put your feet at risk of injury whereas safety footwear, such as boots, will shield your toes. If you accidentally catch your foot while operating or drop a handheld machine, your feet will be better protected.

Protective clothing

There are many ways of keeping your skin injury-free while using flooring machinery, especially handheld machines. Firstly, full-length trousers will cover your legs or overalls will shield your entire body from debris and machine parts – you should also avoid hoodie cords that can get easily caught. 

Gloves

Similarly to covering your feet, your hands also require protection. Invest in a pair of gloves to shield your fingers and forearms from hazards as well as prevent blisters.

Face mask

Respiratory PPE helps to protect the entire internal respiratory system and stops anything from entering the mouth. By filtering out dust and debris, you will avoid breathing in harmful particles so you’ll remain safe while operating your machinery. Plus, the mask protects the outside of the mouth and face.

Eyewear

If your visibility is impaired, this can affect your handling and therefore cause accidents on site. Always keep your eyes protected by wearing goggles, face shields or visors. Your eyes are very delicate and even the smallest fleck of dust can cause irritation so don’t be tempted to go without eye protection.

Are you renovating your commercial flooring? At Concept Flooring Technology, we have a wide range of machines available for hire including grinders, stripping machines and dust extractors. Our professional team will help set up and provide a demonstration if needed, so your machine is ready to go! Get in touch with us today for more information.

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All You Need to Know About Soft Floor Removal

Renovating your commercial premises is a great way of breathing new life into the space including upgrading your flooring. Soft floor removal, for flooring such as carpet, vinyl and rubber, will make the removal easy so you’ll have your new floor covering installed in no time!

Here’s all you need to know about soft floor removal.

What kind of flooring requires soft floor removal?

Soft flooring includes several different types of floor coverings that are usually manufactured as a roll or as flexible tiles, such as:

  • Carpet
  • LVT
  • Vinyl
  • Rubber
  • Cork

In most cases, soft flooring can be removed in a few simple steps with help from a commercial floor stripping machine. 

Is soft flooring easy to remove?

How quickly your soft flooring can be removed will depend on the materials. For example, rubber flooring that has been glued down can be difficult to lift and thicker flooring may take a little more time to remove. However, by hiring the right equipment you’ll be in the best position to start your soft flooring removal and achieve the results you’re looking for. Generally speaking, soft flooring is easier to remove than concrete and other similar materials.

Why should you hire a floor stripper machine?

As the name suggests, floor strippers are designed to strip flooring so you have a clear surface to lay a new floor covering. There are different models to choose from depending on the size of the area such as walk-behind strippers for small spaces and ride-on strippers for large rooms. 

Each stripper has a sharp vibrating blade, which can be adjusted to suit different flooring types, that cuts through and lifts the soft flooring. 

Do you need a reliable floor stripping machine? At Concept Flooring Technology, we offer walk-behind and ride-on floor stripping machines available for hire. All models are powerful and provide rapid removal, whilst all are compact and able to fit through a standard doorway. We can offer advice on all machines to hire, as well as which consumables will be best to achieve your required finish. – find out more today.

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