GRINDING
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The primary objective of concrete grinding in this context is to remove high spots or uneven joints, often called “lippage.” It also eliminates trip hazards, especially on sidewalks, driveways, patios, and warehouse floors. Additionally, it prepares surfaces for further treatments like coatings, sealers, or overlays. This method is commonly used in compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards to reduce trip hazards to below 1/4 inch.
Wet vs. Dry Grinding
Wet grinding uses water to cool the diamond tooling and suppress dust. It has several advantages, including producing less airborne dust, which makes it safer for indoor environments and healthier for workers. It also prolongs the life of diamond grinding tools and often results in a cleaner finish. However, wet grinding creates slurry that requires cleanup, which can be messy and time-consuming. It is also not ideal in environments where water runoff is a concern.
Dry grinding, by contrast, is performed without water and often includes dust extraction systems. This method offers faster setup and less cleanup since there’s no slurry, making it more efficient for smaller jobs or in places where water use is restricted. It also makes it easier to see the grinding progress. However, dry grinding generates significant dust, requiring HEPA-filter vacuums and personal protective equipment such as respirators. It can also wear down tools more quickly due to heat buildup.
Tools
Walk-behind grinders are used for larger surfaces and more substantial leveling tasks. These machines are typically equipped with diamond grinding discs and come in single, dual, or planetary head configurations.
Handheld grinders are ideal for smaller areas, edges, and corners. They are often used to fine-tune spots that walk-behind machines cannot reach.
Scarifiers, or surface planers, use rotating cutting wheels to chip away at concrete. They are more aggressive than grinders and are used when larger high spots need to be quickly reduced. However, they produce a less smooth finish compared to diamond grinding.
Diamond grinding wheels and discs are made with industrial-grade diamonds for durability. They come in various grit sizes depending on the desired smoothness of the surface.
Dust collection systems are essential for dry grinding to maintain air quality. These systems often include HEPA filters to capture fine dust particles effectively.
