The Concrete Grinding Process
Concrete grinding is also known as concrete polishing and it is the process in which concrete flooring is polished to a specific level of grit by a concrete densifier and grinder. There are instances where flooring needs to have grit so that the coating that follows can hang on to the concrete floor. The grit size is going to vary, such as an industrial floor reaching 400 grit. The maximum size of grit is 3,000.
So how does this process begin?
Grit metal bonded pads is how it starts and they range from 20 to 50 grit. This is something that needs to be done by a professional concrete polishing company in Minneapolis so that the job can be done with care. This will also ensure that the right level of shine and smoothness is being achieved when the floor is coated. The pads are placed on the concrete grinder machine and it smoothes out the floor to around 100 grit. By the time it reaches this grit size, several grit pads are used on the floor.
After this, the concrete densifier is used. This is what gives the concrete floor the strength, density, and durability that it needs.
The third step is to apply the grinder to the floor once again. This polishes the floor. Depending on the grit size that is needed, the grinder will continue to be used on the floor until the needed level of grit is needed. Once the process is complete, the concrete floor is going to appear shiny. It can then be mopped and vacuumed.
Sometimes industrial floor owners will leave the floor at this point. They won’t do anything else to it. Other times, the floor will be coated with a coating that is designed to make it much more durable and able to withstand impact.
The grinding, or polishing, process itself will help keep the maintenance costs down by smoothing out and hardening the concrete. This makes it more durable. It also makes it easier to clean. However, it does need to be mopped and vacuumed on a regular basis to keep the surface clean. If it is cared for, it is going to look like new for quite some time.
If the floor is coated, it is still going to need care. However, coatings can keep moisture and other chemicals from coming into contact with the floor. Many industrial floor owners throughout the Twin Cities opt for coating because there are different color options and they want the added durable to the flooring.
All in all, an industrial floor owner has options to ensure that they have the flooring that they want and need so they can save money within their facility and even ensure the safety of employees. If a concrete floor is going to give way under pressure and impact, it is something that can be dangerous in an industrial facility. Ensuring floor strength can go a long way for a factory, chemical plant, warehouse, or other industrial facility.