4 Solid Facts about Residential Concrete Polishing for DIY-Savvy People

Out of the many flooring materials available in the market, the popularity of concrete cannot be overstated. Recent progress in concrete grinding equipment and methods has made it possible to grind concrete flooring, both old and new, to a high-gloss finish. Such finishes do not need coatings or waxing, which saves homeowners a lot of money in both labor and material costs. Here are some solid facts you need to know when polishing your concrete floor for the first time during a home improvement project.

Maintenance -- After concrete grinding, the smooth finish is desirable to many homeowners because of the ease of maintenance. For instance, cleaning the floor only requires the use of a damp cloth. Alternatively, if you decide to buy a commercial concrete floor cleaner, it might be a good idea to go for the neutral pH type. In this case, you do not have to worry about the effects of heavy foot traffic since polished concrete flooring can hold its own even when exposed to such conditions. Further, with polished concrete, you eliminate the need for coatings and waxes, which are expensive to maintain coupled with the fact that their application consumes time and labor.

Wet and Dry Polishing -- Concrete grinding contractors often try to minimize dust generated by a grinder using water in a process referred to as wet polishing. Application of water also cools the diamond polishing abrasives from overheating due to friction. The downside of this technique is that the generated slurry can slow down the progress of work. Additionally, you might need to find an eco-friendly way of disposing of the slurry according to regulations and guidelines in your locality. Dry polishing is the most preferred method compared to wet polishing because there is no need for water besides being quick and convenient. More specifically, a floor polisher is attached to a type of vacuum that collects all the dust from the surface thereby leaving it clean.

Floor Preparation -- Before grinding the floor, evaluate the surface for conditions such as cracks, coatings, sealers, and adhesives. You can use the concrete grinder to remove small surface imperfections, sealers, and coatings through the rough grinding process. However, for thick coats, you can use the coarse grit grinding. A joint filler is used to fill up control joints and cracks in readiness for smooth polishing.   

Safe Operation of the Concrete Grinder -- After you turn on the grinder, make sure that you handle the machine with both hands. A rule of thumb is to allow the grinder to attain full speed before the blade can start grinding the floor. Remember to shut off power at the source when the grinder is not in use, for instance, when you take a break.  

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