How to Clear a Surface With Concrete Grinding in 3 Steps

One drawback to concrete pavement is that the material sometimes gets very brittle, such as in cold weather, and it cracks. If the ground underneath the concrete shifts or the crack is very deep, this can cause the concrete to become uneven, so that part of it is actually raised up from the ground, creating a tripping hazard. You typically cannot fill in this type of crack with concrete filler, but you must first grind it with a grinder so that it becomes level and even.

Grinding concrete is also done to refinish a flooring surface, such as in a garage. This removes old epoxy and paint and gives you a better surface for refinishing. Before you try this on your own, note a few tips to remember so you get the job done right the first time.

1. Prep the surface

Remove any oily or greasy spots; use baking soda to absorb them, then a stiff broom to brush this away. For cracks, you'll want to broom out any debris that has settled into the trench created by the crack itself.

2. Use the right grinder

Grinding concrete yourself usually means renting a grinder you get from a home improvement store, but getting the right grinder will make the job quicker and easier. This job creates a tremendous amount of dust, so you want to choose one with a vacuum bag that collects as much dust as possible.

You also want to invest in a heavy-duty grinder, preferably one with diamond-coated blades. This will cut through epoxy and paint, and make easier work of leveling the area. Using a smaller grinder with a weaker blade will force you to go over the surface again and again, and you may see that some epoxy and other coatings never get removed.

3. Grind wet

Wet down the surface before and during the grinding process. This will soften the concrete and help to remove dust that is not picked up by the vacuum bag. Use small, circular motions when grinding, starting at the outer edge of an area and working your way in. This ensures that you're creating a level surface. Keeping wetting down the surface as you go so you can see your progress, and so that you can remove the dust before it settles into cracks and crevices.

After you've finished grinding, use a shop vacuum to remove any extra dust and then a level to see if you've created a smooth surface. For cracks, you can then move on to filling them in, and with floors, they're ready for new paint or epoxy.

For more tips or assistance, contact companies likeNova-Cut Concrete Sawing Pty Ltd.