Flooring Machine Hire News

No matter what job you are undertaking, there are a variety of flooring machines available to hire that you can use for any job, big or small. Whether you need floor cleaner hire or sanding machine hire, a flooring equipment company will be able to rent out a range of machines that can help you get the job done safely and efficiently, while also being cost-effective. 

Here are the different types of machines available to hire:

Preparation floor grinders and sanders

One of the first steps of floor renovation is to prepare the floor using preparation floor grinders and opting to use sanding machine hire. These are used to strip down any surface level contamination and level the floor ready for other machines or products. Most preparation floor grinders will be multi-purpose and effective in removing old coatings as well as grinding and sanding. These grinders use a variety of blades such as diamonds to wear down the floor surface through spinning discs to buff away any surfaces or coatings.

The SPE DFG400 Grinder uses diamond discs to grind medium sized flooring areas. It’s perfect for the removal of old coatings or scarifying to remove oil/ dirt deposits. You can choose what size grinding blades you want depending on the job at hand. If the material is more abrasive such as clay and granite, you will require diamond blades with a soft bond in order to optimise the grinding process.

If you are undertaking a large industrial scale grinding project without access to electricity outlets such as grinding a car park or roof work then a machine such as the Blastrac BG250P Grinder will be a great machine for the job. This kind of preparation grinder runs on petrol so you don’t need to worry about finding power outlets. It’s also an aggressive grinder which works rapidly and effectively to help you cover large sections of floor surface.

It’s important to properly prepare the floor for the renovation so that it can be appropriately treated with the right coatings and overlays to finish the job. Sanding machine hire is also essential to ensure any previous paint or coatings are lifted before polishing or treatments are added.

Floor Scabbler

Floor Scabblers are used to remove surface-level paint or coatings, to add a decorative or textured coating to concrete or to prepare your concrete surface for sealing or grouting. It is a great way to remove contaminants, adhesives or markings prior to any further work you are going to undertake. It may also be necessary to use a floor scabbler if you are planning on creating a non-slip surface, perhaps in a warehouse or garage.

Floor scabblers work either by using petrol or electricity to power several cylinders known as drums which are loosely fitted with small cutting tips that rotate to grind down the concrete. Another type of scabbler uses compressed air to wear away at concrete with a hammering action, like many tiny jackhammers working simultaneously.

A floor scabbler is the best way to efficiently resurface concrete and prepare it for sealants and overlays, add a rough texture or remove surface imperfections. They are also beneficial for concrete levelling, if the pour of concrete was not level and needs to be, you can use a scabbler machine to level out the concrete. The same goes for concrete grading such as creating ramps for wheelchairs or to drain rainwater away from the house.

Here are the types of floor scabblers you may look to hire from a flooring equipment company:

Light-weight floor scabbler machines are best used for smaller areas that need grinding. The Airtec Rt2000 Scabbler is powered either by petrol or 110v and ideal for general purpose jobs such as removing rubber, coatings and adhesive. This machine comes fitted as standard with a tungsten tip flail drum. The flooring machine hire company can build the drum set up differently if you require the machine for a particular job, such as car park line removal.

For larger jobs that require more power, opt for something more heavy-duty such as the Airtec RM320 Planer. This planer is a self-propelled 320mm machine that is ideal for concrete reduction across large areas. This kind of machine is great for abrasion and grinding of concrete, asphalt, markings, level differences, rubber deposits, plastic coatings and dirt crusts and cutting of seams in concrete, milling of asphalt surfaces among many other things. This machine works through the use of rasping and milling wheels, loosely placed on a rotating work drum.

Scabbling is a fast, safe and cost-effective way to prepare concrete surfaces, perfect for preparing concrete for the next steps or making a concrete surface safer.

Floor grinder rental

Concrete grinders and concrete polishers are used as a finishing tool for floor restoration by using rotating discs of abrasive diamond to level and smooth out surfaces. You can hire concrete grinders as handheld or walk-behind and are powered by either gas, propane or electricity. You can use different pads to achieve a different finish, so whether you are levelling a floor or producing a high-shine finish to your concrete floor, there’s a different grinder for the job. 

Depending on the size of the floor you are planning on grinding, there are different types of grinder polishers. A handheld grinder such as the 180mm Hitachi G23SC3 is perfect for hard to reach places covering a small area, while still providing a heavy-duty grind for your concrete.

If you are looking to grind a slightly larger area you may choose something like the Blastrac BMG435 Grinder Polisher which is a walk-behind polishing machine. This machine is suitable for concrete, terrazzo and natural stone and can be used as both a grinder and polisher using a variety of both metal and diamond tooling. You can also hire machines specific for edges and hard to reach places. The HTC 270 Edger will help you perfectly grind tight and impractical areas of flooring, giving you the desired finish.

Using a concrete grinder polisher to finish your flooring will give you a beautiful and contemporary floor solution, perfect for a range of commercial and residential spaces. Grinding concrete with the appropriate machinery helps to improve the durability of the floor and give it an improved surface which looks brand new, without having to fork out a lot for a replacement floor.

Cleaning machines

If your flooring is already completed with grinding and polishing processes, then regular upkeep of the floor is important. Flooring machine hire companies will provide floor cleaner hire to help you stay on top of the maintenance of your flooring. Scrubber dryers are the best for this job as they clean and dry the floor in one pass over and help you to get the job done quickly and safely. Scrubber dryers can be hired as a walk-behind or sit-on, depending on your preference and what kind of floor cleaner hire you need. They work by using rotating brushes which rapidly deep clean the floor. The water residue is then collected by a system of squeegees and a vacuum, leaving the floor clean and dry.

The Numatic TRO650 Scrubber Dryer is a sit-on cleaning machine perfect for large areas that need regular cleaning. It has a 120 litre capacity and has 3.5 hours of running time so you can make sure every part of your floor gets cleaned.

If you are in need of a slightly smaller machine, the Numatic TT4045 Scrubber Dryer is ideal for exceptionally dirty and rough floors and has a 40 litre capacity.

Floor cleaner hire helps to save time, increase cleanliness and safety standards as well as being a more wallet-friendly option than the up-front costs of buying a machine for your business.

Machines for tile stripping

Besides grinding, there are many other machines for hire to help renovate your floor including stripping machines. These machines are suitable for pulling up a variety of materials including tiles, carpet and vinyl and offer a fast and effective option to remove any previous flooring.

The Blastrac BMS220 Stripping Machine uses stripping blades with a bevelled edge to pull up things like tiles and carpet. 

Floor grinding, polishing and sanding can be a messy job so floor machine hire companies will also hire out wet vacs and industrial vacuums for clean-up. With a wide variety available, it’s important to choose the right one for the job. The Nilfisk CFM S3 Dust Extractor helps to clear any dust or debris from your work space and has a 100 litre capacity as well as meeting asbestos requirements to keep you and your team safe.

Concept Flooring provide a wide range of floor grinder rental machines for any job

If you’re undertaking a floor grinding project, big or small, Concept flooring has the right machine for you. Our friendly team will be more than happy to advise you on which machine to hire, whether you need a scrubber dryer or floor scabbler. Get in touch with us today to find out more.

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.

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!

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.