Grinding a concrete screed with your own hands: how and why to carry out it

One of the most important steps in creating a smooth, long-lasting surface for different kinds of flooring is grinding a concrete screed. A properly prepared base guarantees the durability and caliber of the finish, regardless of whether you intend to install carpet, laminate, or tiles. If you know the right tricks and have the right equipment, doing this task yourself can be rewarding and economical.

You can better appreciate grinding’s significance if you know why it’s necessary. Concrete may become uneven over time as a result of settling or poor installation. In order to create a smooth surface for your flooring project, grinding helps remove any imperfections from the surface. Additionally, it helps to reveal a new layer of concrete so that finishing materials or adhesives can stick to it more effectively.

Although the process may initially seem overwhelming, it is manageable with the correct assistance. Some basic equipment, like a dust mask, safety goggles, and a concrete grinder, are required. Utilizing these tools efficiently will guarantee that the finish is of a high caliber. To make sure your project is a success, we will take you step-by-step through the process of grinding a concrete screed in the sections that follow.

Why grind the floors

The majority of the time, grinding is done on both new and old horizontal concrete bases. Since this manipulation involves polishing concrete to remove a less durable upper layer and increase its dependability and durability, experts do not advise disregarding it. In the case of a freshly flooded screed, cement milk builds up on top of it, decreasing the array’s dependability. The surface will be even and smooth after grinding, and the finish will adhere to it better.

Regarding the older concrete screeds or other structures, microcracks, chips, and other minor flaws brought on by extended use will eventually show up on the top layer of them. In this instance, grinding the concrete floor will help get rid of dirt, chips, and cracks as well as the damaged layer. Generally speaking, grinding has additional advantages:

• elimination of spots from dirt and spilled liquids – oils, fuel oil, gasoline, etc. D.;
• an increase in the hardness of the floor and its moisture resistance;
• prevention of new cracks;
• simplification of further surface care;
• relief alignment;
• relief of further flooring of any decorative coating.

If you are handy with a grinder, you can turn that uneven, rough concrete floor into a smooth, sturdy surface that is suitable for any type of finish. This procedure extends the life and usefulness of your floor in addition to improving its appearance. Without having to pay a high fee for hiring a contractor, you can accomplish professional results by using basic tools and adhering to a few simple steps. You’ll learn why it’s important to grind your concrete screed from this guide, along with practical advice on how to do the task quickly and effectively.

Types of grinding concrete

There are two methods for processing concrete for grinding: dry and wet.

Wet grinding

The most common application for this method is grinding mosaic floors. It works just as well for polishing granite and marble finishes. With one pass, you can remove up to 0.5 cm of concrete surface thanks to wet grinding. The surface is treated with an abrasive coating in circles after the water is poured. Simultaneously, you must use a drainage system to remove extra fluid. Furthermore, during work, soiled splashes fly everywhere, making it extremely difficult to control the final product. Wet grinding is quite complex and takes a lot of time to complete.

Dry grinding

Ordinary concrete is ground using this technique. It doesn’t take long, and once the dust settles, the work’s outcome can be roughly predicted. There’s always a chance for the master to make quick fixes for grinding flake errors. It is true that a specialized construction vacuum cleaner and personal protective equipment are required due to the method’s dustiness. Concrete does not require dry grinding because a layer no thicker than 2 mm can be removed in a single pass.

Concrete grinding tools

A common item found in any building supply store is the concrete grinder. Ordinary grinders are good for small amounts of work and are probably in every master’s toolbox. Investing in a high-quality, flawlessly smooth coating requires the use of a professional device.

Industrial grinders

Industrial inventory should be used for sanding large coatings. The abrasive element in these grinding machines is fixed to rotating disks, the action of which removes the top layer of concrete. The devices themselves can change the power and speed of action, and the disks rotate in the opposite direction. There are auxiliary wheels with diamond nozzles on large discs.

By using specialized grinding equipment, you can obtain a surface with the following characteristics:

• glossy;
• matte;
• mirror;
• half -machine.

These devices, among other things, have the ability to dose water supply, which is crucial when utilizing a wet grinding method. Additionally, a built-in vacuum cleaner for a dry grinding method is present in most devices. The devices’ large weight and high cost are drawbacks.

Household grinders

Concrete can be polished and ground at home using little tools with circles or cups. The most common method for grinding concrete is using a grinder, which is far less expensive than specialized machinery. Working with a grinder is convenient because of its lightweight design, which enables you to process even difficult-to-reach areas.

The old coatings are scraped off, the screed is leveled, and the surfaces close to the walls and ceiling are cleaned with a grinder. For the task, you’ll need a diamond-spraying bowl or a specific abrasive disk for small-scale concrete grinding.

It is important to keep in mind that household devices are typically low-powered and should not be used for extended periods of time.

Consumables for Ushm

The quality of the nozzles—circles, cups, and Frankfurts—used in the work has a significant impact on the outcome. You must consider the application features and intended use of consumables when making your selection.

Grinding discs

Discs, also known as circles, have a flat surface that is treated with an abrasive. The disk grain size is chosen based on the intended use and kind of material to be ground. For polishing black concrete bases, circles are filled with large and medium-sized diamond crumbs.

Products with planks, or crumbs of varying sizes, work well for eliminating the first thin layer from any sex. Floor finishing disks with tiny crumbs or cellular structure (turtles) work well. Typically, they feature a tiny polymer abrasive and are easily fastened to Velcro.

Grinding cups

These are disks with the center submerged. To remove a thick layer from the surface, a grinding grinder with a similar nozzle is used. The cups’ intended use may also differ:

• with a double segment – to remove the upper concrete layer, carry out gross processing, eliminate serious defects;
• with square overlays – to cut the protruding elements of concrete and remove rather large pieces, for black processing, for grinding before applying polymer compounds;
• With lining-bumulars-for delicate and finish polishing.

Frankfurt

Are unique nozzles with trapezoids. used to make mirror bases and glossy, smooth coatings. Grab a piece of sandpaper.

The order of grinding concrete

The concrete base is ground no sooner than two weeks following solidification. Crushed stone will start to fly out of the concrete layer if you speed up the process. Typically, employ a No. 40 granularity diamond disk. Nozzles with the numbers 1500–3000 are used for glossy coating.

Defective removal and preparation

Initially, the base is meticulously prepped, involving the following procedures:

• elimination of extraneous objects – wires, sticking fittings;
• extending the cracks of the old coating, cutting the potholes to a depth of 2-3 cm and their location with a solution;
• checking the flooring for evenness using a three -dimensional line, level;
• cutting of large tubercles, protrusions (more than 5 mm) with a diamond disk of a grinder, blowing a site from sand and its priming with special strengthening compounds;
• check of concrete for strength around the perimeter (tapping and re -filling of weak areas);
• Determination of the stiffness of the base – testing by grinding a small area with a grinder;
• General cleaning of dust and dirt, soil impregnation.

They remove the covering from the old collapsing floor and mention crushed stone and domain slag. Once the screed has fully solidified, install the beacons and profiles and fill it to a thickness of 50 mm. Only then can it be ground.

Grinding process

In the event that the wet method of grinding is chosen, the floor is pre-wetted with hose water. Following that, they are polished over a few visits while the abrasive particle size gradually gets smaller. Places that are inaccessible process Ushm (grinder). Take a break from your work every fifteen minutes to avoid damaging the device.

Finish work

A vacuum or wet cleaner is used to remove dust and debris from the polished floor. Polyurethane varnish (for shine and mirror-like appearance) is applied to the concrete coating once it has dried. Also, two to three layers of specialized paint can be applied to polished concrete. After the project is completed, the skirting boards are installed.

Grout of a fresh screed

Working with a fresh screed requires specialized technology and is done 4–20 hours after the date of filling. It enables you to produce robust, long-lasting coatings for use on floors in open spaces as well as commercial and industrial buildings. For work, a specific kind of grout machine called a helicopter can be used for grinding. It has a diesel, electric, or gasoline engine and can be propelled manually or independently.

A filled screed’s top layer can be compacted with the use of such technology. First, cement-based tops are used to perform the gross stripping of concrete. After ten to sixteen hours, rubbing impregnation is used to complete the grinding. They are applied along the screed with tops and pigment added for a decorative effect.

Grinding a grinder

Usually, the first step in the grinding process is preliminary stripping with a square-lined bowl, which precisely removes large influxes and irregularities. The top layer of screed is removed using a cup with two segments, and a bumulang or turtle equipped with a nozzle does the last polishing. It’s crucial to thoroughly read the instructions for a particular tool before using it to avoid any issues while working.

Step	Description
1. Preparation	Clear the floor of debris and ensure it"s dry. Fill any cracks or holes with filler.
2. Choosing the Right Grinder	Select a concrete grinder with appropriate diamond grit for your floor"s condition.
3. Safety First	Wear safety goggles, a dust mask, and ear protection. Ensure the area is well-ventilated.
4. Grinding	Start grinding at the highest point of the floor and work your way down, using a consistent motion.
5. Vacuuming	Regularly vacuum the area to remove dust and check your progress.
6. Finishing	Once the surface is smooth, clean it thoroughly. Apply a sealant if desired for protection.

In terms of financial savings and personal fulfillment, grinding your own concrete screed can be a very satisfying process. This task will provide you with a level, even surface that’s ideal for many different finishes, such as installing hardwood floors, laying tiles, or just going for a polished concrete look.

It’s very manageable to grind your concrete screed if you have the proper equipment and are prepared. To guarantee the best outcomes, make sure you have a high-quality grinder, the appropriate safety equipment, and a methodical approach. Rushing through the process can result in uneven surfaces and less satisfactory outcomes, so patience and attention to detail are essential.

There are many advantages to grinding a concrete screed. It not only makes your floor look better, but it also makes the finish you’ve chosen last longer and be more durable. A surface that has been properly prepared guarantees improved floor covering adhesion and lowers the possibility of upcoming maintenance problems.

Taking on this project yourself can be a rewarding do-it-yourself project and give you more control over the final product. You can completely change your area with a beautifully level and smooth concrete screed that is ready for any type of flooring you decide on with careful planning and execution.

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