QA

Quick Answer: How Much Concrete Can You Grind Down

A grinder can take off up to 1/8 of an inch of material with each pass — less than a concrete scarifier, which cuts into surface coatings and the underlying concrete and can cut about 1/4 of an inch with each pass.

Can you grind an inch of concrete?

A small planetary concrete grinder with basic grinding tools will remove around 1/16” of the concrete in 1-2 passes in a normal situation. You might be able to remove more – 1/8” if use a heavier concrete grinder and more aggressive PCD tools. In fact, an angle grinder with a cup wheel will do the best job.

Can you grind down a concrete slab?

If you have an uneven concrete slab, you could replace it or cover it with leveling compound. But consider grinding it instead. Powerful grinding equipment is available at rental centers that cater to contractors. Grinding down leftover thin-set or other hard coatings.

How much does it cost to have concrete grinded?

Grinding a concrete floor averages between $1 to $4 per square foot. Highly polished floors cost more because they require more grinding and polish. A matte finish won’t need as much grinding and costs less.

How fast can you grind concrete?

Most users report that grinding down to an original floor for harder concrete could take up to 6 hours for 500 ft. This would include larger jobs covering the same surface area but having more to remove, like certain glue types or other imperfections stuck in the cement.

Can you sand down concrete?

Can You Sand Concrete? Even though concrete is a very hard material it is possible to sand concrete but it can only be done with the correct abrasives. Always opt for diamond grinding wheels or diamond polishing pads when sanding concrete.

How do you keep dust down when grinding concrete?

3 ways to reduce dust when grinding concrete Wear personal protective gear. When you grind concrete, you should always wear a dust mask, eye protection, and gloves when grinding concrete. Get a HEPA dust extractor with HEPA filters. Use more water for less dust.

How long does it take to grind concrete floor?

Most people will perform a grinding process on a two-car concrete garage floor in about two hours. However, this does not include the time spent working on the edges. You can use a smaller grinder for the hard to reach areas near the walls and in the corners.

How much does it cost to pour a 24×24 slab of concrete?

A typical 24×24 garage slab costs between $3,057 and $5,944 with prices ranging from $5.31 to $8.31 per square foot for a 4” reinforced slab of concrete, and $6.83 to $10.32 per square foot for a 6” slab of reinforced concrete.

Can you polish old concrete?

Almost any structurally sound concrete floor, whether new or old, can be polished. Some retail and warehouses facilities that plan to polish their floors after placement may specify a floor that is as smooth as possible to minimise the polishing steps required.

Can I use an angle grinder to level concrete?

An angle grinder can be used to level, smooth and polish concrete by grinding it down. They can also be used to remove paint and floor adhesives. To grind concrete with a angle grinder you need a diamond cup wheel, a dust shroud attachment, and a vacuum cleaner.

Can you smooth out concrete after it dries?

Sand the Surface and Wash the Concrete Finish by fine-tuning with light sandpaper, until the surface is perfectly smooth. We recommend using a hand planer to smooth and compact the surface. If the concrete dries a lot then we recommend that you add water to the surface, this will help you give it a good finish.

Can you sand concrete with a palm sander?

If you only have a small area to sand, you can also use a palm sander, orbital sander or belt sander. Rough imperfections may require the use of a special diamond disc and a concrete floor grinder.

Can I sand concrete instead of etching?

Yes, you will need to grind in order to remove the sealer at the surface and provide a proper profile for the coating. You cannot acid etch. The reason is that the sealer prevents the acid from reacting with the minerals in the concrete since the concrete is sealed.

Does grinding concrete create dust?

One of the biggest problems you’ll face when grinding concrete is the sheer amount of dust and silica that’s kicked up as you go. This problem can’t simply be ignored—this dust is very dangerous and can lead to health complications, such as silicosis.

What do you do if you inhale concrete dust?

Your lungs will try to secrete lots of mucous and cough it out. Drink lot of water. Do some breathing exercises or run to break off phlegm in your lungs and cough it out.

How do you grind concrete with an angle grinder?

Grinding Concrete Fit the angle grinder with a diamond cup wheel. Adjust the guard of the angle grinder so that it is between the grinder and your face. Pass the cup wheel over the surface of the concrete. Do not add additional pressure or weight to the power tool. If your angle grinder overheats, stop grinding.

How thick can you pour self-leveling concrete?

QUIKRETE® Self-Leveling Floor Resurfacer (No. 1249-50) can be installed from 5/8 inch (16 mm) thick to a feather edge. For areas deeper than 5/8 inch (16 mm), apply QUIKRETE® Self-Leveling Floor Resurfacer (No. 1249-50) in layers no greater than 5/8 inch (16 mm) each.