When properly installed, concrete floors should last anywhere from 20 to 40 years. However, there are a range of issues that can affect the quality of this flooring. Along with small divots and pits, you may also notice the concrete taking on a rougher appearance. While you could always choose to have the entire floor replaced upon noticing these issues, a more cost-effective solution involves restoring the floor to its previous appearance with a diamond concrete grinder.
What Is Diamond Grinding for Concrete?
Concrete grinding is a type of pavement restoration technique that’s able to correct some of the more common issues and irregularities that can occur in concrete pavement. As mentioned previously, these issues include everything from roughness to divots and pits. When applied correctly, diamond grinding is able to substantially improve the smoothness of concrete.
If you live in an upscale home with a concrete surface in the garage or basement, concrete grinding is a great way to restore the surface to its natural appearance. Once this process is applied to a concrete floor in your home, you should notice that the concrete seems brand new. By smoothing out the texture and getting rid of any irregularities, you can avoid the high costs that come with replacing an entire floor.
When you request our diamond concrete grinding services, you’ll benefit from:
- Adding value to flooring that’s already installed
- Less noise by getting rid of faulted joints
- Friction resistance
- Increased lifespan of the surface
What Is Diamond Grinding Used For?
There are a large number of applications that diamond grinding is used for. Whenever concrete needs to be polished, a diamond grinder can be used to provide the desired results. There are many imperfections in a concrete surface that a diamond grinder can address, including:
- Faulting around cracks or joints
- Poor macrotexture
- Slab warping
- Bad noise level
- High roughness
Our diamond concrete grinding services are regularly used to prepare a floor for an epoxy coating. These coatings are able to add a wide range of color and finishing options to a concrete surface. For instance, you could choose to pair this coating with a glossy finish.
Before these coatings can be installed, the current flooring must be prepared, which involves grinding the surface. Once this step takes place, any necessary repairs will be made to ensure that the floor can accommodate the new coating.
How Do You Diamond Grind a Concrete Floor?
The diamond grind process is simple and straightforward when applied to concrete. Keep in mind that the exact piece of equipment used in this process largely depends on the size of the floor that’s being restored. The grinder is outfitted with small and thin diamond saw blades that are spaced very close to one another. Because of the durability and hardness that diamond has, it’s among the only substances that can effectively level a concrete surface.
When a diamond grinder is applied to concrete, it will remove a very thin layer off of the top of the floor. Along with providing the floor with a smoother texture, this process will polish the floor by a considerable amount. The thin diamond blades will create equally thin grooves in the floor at a specified depth. The floor between these grooves will break apart, which leaves behind an entirely smooth and level surface.
If you request our diamond concrete grinding service, the blades we use to perform this service are made from metallurgic powder and industrial diamonds. When grinding a hard material like concrete, a soft bond is necessary to ensure that the surface is cut efficiently. This is why metallurgic powder is typically placed onto the diamond blades for the grinding process.
Keep in mind that the diamond grinding process differs from the milling process. Milling is used to chip off very small pieces of concrete from the floor. In comparison, diamond grinding is used to cut the floor.
What Is the Difference Between Diamond Grinding and Concrete Grinding?
Diamond grinding and concrete grinding are oftentimes used interchangeably. However, it’s best to think of a diamond grind as a type of concrete grind. While concrete grinding can theoretically be accomplished with different types of materials and cutting tools, industrial diamonds are most effective at cutting the floor without causing unforeseen damage.
Here at Epoxy Floors by Welch, we offer comprehensive diamond concrete services to meet all of your flooring needs. The concrete grinding services we provide are usually administered as part of our polished concrete services or in preparation for an epoxy coating. Call us today if you have any questions about diamond grinding and how it can be used around your home.