Concrete Preparations

In all cases, the quality of the finished surface is directly related to the quality of the concrete preparation techniques used. In the case of newly laid concrete, a mechanically weak surface layer with high water content forms during the drying out period (known as laitance) which must be removed prior to polishing the concrete or applying a surface coating. For existing concrete, any failed coating or contaminants (e.g. greases, oils, and other solids) should also be removed prior to the application of a new coating.

Roads, bridges & walkways are also places where concrete is found as a primary surface. Rough, uneven surfaces can be dangerous, leading to trips & falls. Concrete preparation techniques can also be applied here to provide a smooth, safe environment to pedestrians.

SPE Australia has the skills and knowledge in concrete surface preparation and can tackle almost any project for our clients.

Concrete Shot Blasting

SPE Australia have a variety of Autoblast Shot Blasting Machines at their disposal. From the smallest SPE 9ES with a 9" profile width up to the Super 20ES with a wide 20" profile designed for the most demanding and toughest jobs.

Shot blasting is the preferred method of preparing large area floor surfaces and those where the finish of the floor surface must be cleaned and textured to establish the best adhesive properties; blasting also has the advantage of re-texturing any existing profile.

The actual process of blast cleaning involves tiny steel balls (shot) being thrown at the surface to be cleaned via a high velocity rotating blast wheel. By varying the speed of the blasting machine, the rate of flow of shot & the size of the shot, differing surface textures can be achieved. This process conditions the floor surface, leaving a profile that allows coatings to gain both physical and chemical adhesion.

All of our shot blasting machines use dust free technology, where the used abrasive and contaminants are vacuumed up into a dust collector; a totally enclosed process which is environmentally friendly, efficient and also very cost effective.

Concrete Grinding

SPE Australia use many types of grinding machines depending upon the task in hand. As well as grinding the surface, the equipment range can be quickly fitted with various tools for removing, for example, waterproof membranes, elastomeric coatings and heavily built up adhesives. Diamond grinding plates are easily fitted for the light preparation of surfaces for thin coating applications and are available for both hard and soft surfaces. Specialist PCD tools can be used for the rapid removal of adhesive, coatings and failed latex from a hard substrate.

Concrete grinders are also the ideal choice for repairing imperfections in concrete floors, slabs and walkways; gently evening out any imperfections to leave a smooth finish.

Grinding concrete surfaces may be a slower process than shot blasting or scarifying techniques, but is the only option when either a polished finish or a micro-fine substrate is required for a surface coating.

Line Marking Removal

Shotblasting quickly and easily removes linemarkings, also providing the perfect profile for new installation, blast can be reduced down 100mm width.

Concrete Planing / Scarifying

Planer / Scarifier machines use steel or carbide tipped cutters connected to a high speed rotating drum to fracture the old, contaminated floor therefore abrading the concrete surface. This abrasion leads to a rougher surface than shot blasting, but through the use of varying cutters the smoothness of finish can be controlled.

However, there are many instances where a scarified finish is preferred to that of shot blasting. For instance, removal of rubber deposits from airport runways via scarification leaves a cleaned surface with anti-skid properties. Further for thick, tough, durable surface coatings, a scarified finish provides a greater surface area for surface adhesion. Scarifying is also preferred over shot blasting when removing rubbery or sticky surfaces. Planer / scarifiers can be used with vacuums to remove contaminants & debris and control dust generation.

Trip Hazard Removal

Due to ground movements and poorly laid surfaces trip hazards in concrete are a big concern to Councils, local government, building and property managers. These hazards needs to be recognised, reduced, and removed before accidents happen

We have specialised equipment to easily remove the trip hazards on walkways and footpaths

Please contact us to discuss further.

Tile Removal

Using a ride-on tile stripper we can quickly and efficiently remove large areas of floor covering, the sharpened steel blade is placed under the product to be removed and the machine is driven forward, suitable for the removal of vinyl, ceramic, marble, bonded carpet, woodblock, slate and also for failed leveling compounds or build up of materials