The History of Flooring
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Flooring dates back to medieval times for Surface finishes on which we walk, live and work. Many heritage buildings worldwide display the craftsmanship of our ancestors, who relied on primitive tooling to install, finish and maintain, yet we see them in their full splendour today, as if they had been installed yesterday. Common materials over the centuries have been marble, stone and wood, today there is a vast array of floor options for new builds and restoration projects. We are no longer reliant on organically sourced natural flooring, there is a vast array of man-made synthetic options for industrial, commercial and domestic use.
What is important before installing your chosen flooring system is that the floor is prepared correctly to ensure adhesion and expected lifespan of your selected floor covering.
Mechanical preparation and finishing equipment has been around for 100 years. The original Shotblaster date back to 1906, manufactured in the USA but these were static machines the portable versions were developed in the late 1970s.
Mechanical floor grinding and polishing machines also originate from the USA being produced in 1936.
Surface planers, multi-strippers and scrapers were introduced within the last 50 years. Many of the original designs and concepts remain market leaders today.
What is important to understand is that the principle of operation with all methods of surface removal , surface texturing, cleaning and polishing remains the same today, what has changed is the innovation applied to designs, equipment is easier, safer and cleaner to use, low maintenance and designed to be used with dust extraction.
Shotblasters
Enclosed shotblasting machines propel shot (steel abrasive) with high impact onto the surface being profiled and cleaned.
How it Works
Once the shot hits the surface (creating the profile, cleaning, and texturing), kinetic energy recycles the shot for continuous use and the suction created by the Filtration Unit collects and contains the dust providing a clean safe operation.
When to Select
Shotblasting is the ideal choice for Concrete laitance removal, to remove epoxy coatings, floor paint, line markings, to improve skid resistance n asphalt and prepare steel surfaces to stringent industry standards.
Grinders
How it works
Diamond discs or shoes are fitted to plates or arms within the body of the grinder which rotate at high speed to smooth and clear surfaces, remove surfaces contaminants such as coatings, adhesives, and screeds.
When to select
To remove adhesives, coatings, waterproof membranes, self-levellers, line markings, clean and smooth asphalt and concrete.
MultiHead Variable speed Grinder’s grind and polish surfaces when interconnecting arms fitted with Diamond accessories rotate within the body of the machine producing uniform results. Variable speed and water tank feature makes the Terrco the ideal choice for polishing, resin systems, Terrazzo and concrete with high performance results when used to remove concrete, laitance, coatings, screeds, and rubber.
Select a variable speed grinder to polish concrete, resin, cementitious, screeds and terrazzo to high gloss finish.
Planers (also known as Scarifiers).
How it Works
A drum is enclosed in the body of the machine flails and spaces sit on the bars of the drum which freely rotate at high speed and the flails cut into the surface on impact. The height of the drum is adjustable to control the amount of material being removed. The dust and debris is collected by an industrial vacuum attached to the Planer minimising air bourn pollution.
When to Select
Grooving, reducing, removing screeds, thermoplastic lines and safety markings, surface contaminants, carpark decking and rubber
Floor Strippers/Scrapers
How it works
All machines whether ride on or walk behind rely on a blade or pick attached to the front of the machine to cut and lift floor coverings or scraped to remove screeds, waterproof membranes, bitumen, and adhesives. There are a number of different sizes and types of blades or picks for high performance effective results.
Use for removing Vinyl and Linoleum, Carpets, Woodblock, Parquet and Laminate Floors, Ceramic and Quarry Tiles, Rubber, Screeds, Thermoplastic Safety Markings, Adhesives, Waterproof membranes, Car Park Decking, Roofing Systems.
Dust Extraction
How it works
One of the most important factors which has evolved over the last 30 years and now deemed essential is the use of Dust extraction, Vacuums with all mechanical equipment and tooling for safe, clean operations.
Did you know that using the correct “dust extrations” not only improves performance of the diamond tooling but also extends diamond life.
Heavy duty vacuums, with self-cleaning filters and Longopac options for 898% proven dust containment are simple innovations for safer and efficient working.
Brands and new designs will continue to evolve, embrace new technology, with sustainable solutions to prepare, clean, polish or remove surfaces, whether restoring or installing new.
