GENERAL TOOL //
Troubleshooting
FLOOR GRINDERS Tips on how rental companies can help their contractor customers troubleshoot floor grinders.
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hen working on any surface preparation job, rental companies want to help contractors make the most of every moment on the jobsite so that they can meet both the deadline and the client’s expectations. If that contractor arrives to a site to grind a floor and learns that the concrete is covered, the machine doesn’t work or it damages the floor, it can be frustrating. Machine downtime can increase costs for the contractor and increase the risk of missing deadlines. The more rental companies can do to prepare their machines before they arrive on-site, the better. While many flooring covering options are long lasting, in some applications, the most durable, cost-effective and aesthetic flooring option can be the concrete substrate itself. Concrete floors are now a popular choice in a range of applications, including parking structures, warehouses, commercial facilities and residential basements. Turning concrete from a substrate intended to be covered into an appealing floor requires one to grind and polish the material to flatten, smooth and remove any imperfections. When working on a polished concrete floor, contractors must take
20 JUNE/JULY 2023
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extra care. Any mistakes will be visible in the final floor. So, how rental companies can ensure their contractor customers get the most out of their grinding equipment and deliver a polished concrete floor on time and to a client’s expectations? CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOLING
One of the most common reasons equipment isn’t delivering the expected results is that the contractor has not selected the right tooling. Every surface preparation job is different, so before starting any work, contractors should visit the site to understand what is already adhered to the concrete, the current state of the material and the desired finish. From there, the rental company should ask questions of the contractor to help him or her choose the appropriate equipment. These will help determine the steps and tooling required to complete them. For example, there may be adhesives or coatings that require contractors to scrape the floor before grinding. The desired finish will determine the concrete surface profile (CSP) required. If the floor requires a coating,
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