A great surface requires the right surface preparation equipment. If you are planning to get rid of an old floor coating to create a smooth surface or even to prepare concrete flooring by removing stubborn tile or vinyl glue, a diamond floor grinder could be the ideal solution for you. These machines are extremely powerful and, if not used correctly, can be incredibly dangerous. You need to be certain that you are correctly operating this piece of machinery and that you understand all of the features that comprise this machine.

Doing so will ensure that you are getting the best possible results from your diamond grinder. Using a diamond floor grinder is going to enable you to get a fantastic outcome in a short amount of time.

What’s more, if you are new to the world of diamond floor grinders, we have collated the key information you need to know in order to make sure that you are getting the most out of your hired machinery. Read on to discover more!

Make sure you have the correct PPE

It’s wise to ensure you are wearing the correct PPE when using a diamond floor grinder. Although you may not realise it, there are a lot of risks involved with operating one of these machines. Grinding concrete can produce high levels of silica dust which in large quantities can be incredibly harmful to your lungs. It can also cause a disease called silicosis which causes scarring to the lungs. In the past, this disease became so commonplace that it was referred to as ‘grinders asthma’. This is one of the many reasons why it’s important to protect yourself with PPE – even if you’re carrying out a relatively small job.

You will also need to wear hearing protection, protective glasses and a respirator. These high-speed machines are pretty noisy and can cause concrete to fly up from the grinding wheel.

Safety still needs to be considered when you finish the job you’re working on. You need to be particularly cautious when you are dusting down the diamond floor grinder or clearing up the area you’ve been working in. If you are carrying out any work that generates dust (that isn’t being gathered by an extraction system), you need to be particularly cautious and wear a dust mask.

Older buildings also are increasingly susceptible to asbestos. If you suspect that the building you are working in may contain asbestos, do not grind the flooring until this issue has been rectified.

Make sure you have the right facilities

Whether or not the worksite is equipped with the correct facilities for the machinery in question must be considered, especially when using a larger grinder. Large grinders can sometimes require more than your standard household power source!

Depending on where you are based, the power required for your floor grinder may vary. If this is the case, you’ll need a proper generator or an electrician to intervene and help you achieve the power required. This shouldn’t be a last-minute consideration. It’s certainly worth discussing the project’s electrical requirements with your machinery supplier and double-checking what specific plug is required This leads nicely to our next point…

Check whether you need a generator for your diamond floor grinder

You may require a generator for your diamond floor grinder. We have collated some simple pointers to help you to figure out if you need one and what kind you may need.

It’s also worth consulting your supplier for additional guidance on this if you are unsure whether you require one.

What is the required output of the floor grinder?

It’s important that you know this and if you are unsure it’s relatively simple to figure out. You can calculate the maximum required wattage of your diamond floor grinder in order to figure out its output.

What kind of environment are you working in?

This will impact the kind of generator you may require. For example, are you going to be hauling around a generator on a damp and busy construction site? Or, are you going to be using it in a relatively quiet residential setting? If you are going to be based in a busy, commercial setting, open frame models are ideal as they are suitable for withstanding a bit more wear and tear and generally being more durable.

Prepare the machine and examine the floor

A metal bond diamond floor grinder has the strength to polish a wide range of surfaces including steel and brass – as long as the material isn’t classified as ‘above grade’. It’s a good idea to inspect the floor anywhere classified as ‘above grade’ and grind it to level. If you don’t inspect the surface you are grinding, your diamond segment could be knocked off. This can damage your machine significantly.

Recognise the difference between screed and concrete

If you’ve not worked in the construction industry, it can be easy to mix up floor screeds and concrete.

Luckily, it’s easy to identify concrete when you know what to look for. Concrete and screed have different textures, with concrete having a significantly rougher feel. This is because concrete consists of bigger, harder aggregates. Despite this, the two materials are made from the same core ingredients: cement, aggregates and water.

Concrete is the most used man-made material in the world and is widely used in the construction industry for a variety of purposes. The manufacture of floor slabs is perhaps the most common application for concrete. As previously mentioned, screed on the other hand is made up of fewer aggregates and often applied on top of concrete as a finishing layer. It can also be used on top of internal floors to level the floor before a final floor covering, for example, carpets, tiles, floorboards or linoleum.

Plan your route

Before you begin the grinding process, you need to make sure that you have thought about a route you are going to follow with the machine and have it mapped out in your mind. Plan a pattern in which you are going to follow and be aware of power cords or any other debris that may affect your path. Otherwise, you’re likely to become tangled! The pattern you opt to follow is going to depend on the size and layout of the room so you need to factor in the space you are working in. This isn’t a process to be rushed so make sure you take your time doing this. We can all get a bit impatient at times but if you are carrying out the removal of a stubborn material such as a thick adhesive. Just be patient and persevere with it, it might take a few attempts but you will certainly get there in the end.

Concept Flooring Technology – Experts in Polished Concrete, HTC Floor Supply, General Floor Preparation and Specialist Diamond Floor Grinding Equipment Hire

Here at Concept Flooring Technology, we take surface preparation seriously. That’s why we’re committed to supplying industry-leading surface preparation equipment. However, we are much more than just a hire company; we support our customers every step of the way and it is just as important to us that you achieve your desired finish, as it is to you.

Our Managing Director John Hartley started Concept Flooring Technology in 2000 with the view to bring diamond grinding and concrete polishing to the forefront of the British market. With more than 20 years of experience in the hire industry and with more than 600 machines on our fleet, we continue to supply the latest machinery and tooling available on the market. If you have any questions regarding a current or future project, need advice about machinery or tooling, or would like to organise an on-site demo, please feel free to contact us today. We’d be delighted to help with any enquiries you may have.