Before you start installing the concrete floor finish, you need to prepare the base. In this case, we mean the assessment of the state of the surface. First of all, the base must be even, free of cracks and other defects. The final result of finishing will depend on the quality of the surface. Before impregnation, dust removal and treatment with paints or varnishes, the concrete floor is polished. Let's take a closer look at this process.
Processing Benefits
When applying a polymer coating, for example, well-done work on leveling the base will ensure reliable adhesion of the surface to the finishing material. Sanding increases the practicality of the floor. In this case, the surface does not require special care after work. This, in turn, significantly reduces operating costs. Properly polished floor eliminates the need for frequent restoration of the coating. Surface treatment allows you to create a perfectly flat base. For many finish coats, this requirement is paramount. ATin the process of laying a self-leveling polymer floor, the stage of preparing the base includes, among other things, grinding. The untreated base absorbs moisture. As the temperature drops to below zero, water crystallizes and its volume increases. This, in turn, leads to the destruction of the material. Such damage is especially bad for the first floor.
Where is this coating used?
Surfaces treated in this way are widely used in shops, office buildings, hangars and warehouses. This method of processing is also popular in residential premises. The polished floor is appropriate in any interior. Such a coating is equipped on playgrounds and other outdoor outdoor facilities. As you know, concrete is highly resistant to aggressive factors and mechanical stress. The latter allows you to lay the coating in places with high traffic.
Process Description
Sanding the floor is one of the varieties of construction processing of the base. It is necessary to remove the old coating layer. Sanding a concrete floor is one of the most common surface leveling methods. Pre-treatment of the base in this way is carried out on the third - fifth day after pouring. The final polishing of the floor is carried out after the solution has completely hardened. During the process, pollution, defects (cracks, ripples, chips, notches, local sagging) are eliminated. If the screed is new, then grinding the floor allows you to remove lime milk from the surface. If the base is old,during processing, the upper damaged layer is removed. After completion of the work, adhesion increases and the entire surface is "refreshed". It should be noted that grinding the floor does not eliminate strong wave drops of the screed. In fact, the equipment moves along the surface, repeating its profile. Altitude differences can be eliminated only by refilling the base.
Types of processing
Floor grinding can be dry or wet. Depending on this, the cost of the work will be set. However, in both cases, the same equipment is used. The tool must be able to handle stone and concrete surfaces.
Wet method
This polishing is used for floors coated with marble chips or mosaics. The technology in this case involves the use of abrasive elements. The result is an almost perfect foundation. The surface does not look different from polished. In the process of wet grinding, water pumps are used.
Dry method
For concrete screed, experts recommend using this option. At the same time, it must be said that dry grinding takes more time than wet grinding. In addition, a large amount of dust rises from the surface during operation. However, it is still better than wet cement slurry covering the eyes. With dry sanding, visibility is better, which allows you to correct errors almost immediately. To eliminate dust,use an industrial vacuum cleaner.
Tools and equipment
Do-it-yourself floor grinding can be done with tools that are sold at any hardware store. Most of the tools presented on the shelves are European-made. Today there are few worthy options among domestic products. Some masters grind the floor with a grinder. However, as practice shows, it is quite problematic to process the surface with this tool. But, according to experts, a grinder will be enough to carry out grinding in a residential area. In this case, it is not advisable to purchase expensive equipment. In addition, the grinder can also be reached in hard-to-reach places, which is impossible to do with a large car. For surface treatment, you will need a diamond bowl, abrasive disc, two nozzles.
Cost of work
Processing in this way is carried out not only on the screed. Sanding a wooden floor is also quite common. When laying parquet, for example, this stage is an integral part of the installation. Prices for services today are different:
- Sanding of a wooden floor, the area of which is not less than 20 m2, in any surface condition, followed by the application of three layers of varnish - 250 R/m2.
- Enhanced quality processing. In this case, 2 types of tools are used, at the end of the work the surface is covered with three layers of varnish - 500 r / m2.
- Grinding a floor with an area of less than 20 m2 - 300 R/m2.
- Removing a layer of paint fromsubsequent application of varnish (or without it) – 400 r/m2.
- Grinding with fine abrasive. In this case, the surface is not varnished, but prepared for laying any kind of coating - 180 r/m2.
- Processing for painting - 140 R/m2.
- Grinding a concrete or sand concrete floor with brand strength not more than M300 - 80 r/m2.
- Painted surface treatment. In this case, the material is completely removed and alignment is carried out - 110 r/m2.
- Grinding of a concrete base with brand strength more than M300 - from 90 r/m2.
