Concrete Floor Preparation
Diamond grinding and shot blasting for resin-ready substrates.
Built for the way you actually use the space.
A resin floor is only as good as the substrate it's bonded to. We provide mechanical preparation as a standalone service to main contractors, other flooring installers and facilities teams — diamond grinding, captive shot blasting, joint cutting and moisture testing to CSP 2–5 profiles.
Mechanical concrete preparation, diamond grinding and captive shot blasting for resin and coating overlays.
Every resin floor failure we see traces back to preparation. Get the surface profile wrong and the strongest resin in the world will lift off in six months. We provide mechanical concrete preparation as a standalone service to main contractors, principal designers, other flooring installers and facilities teams who need a resin-ready substrate but don't need us to install the floor on top.
Diamond grinding, captive shot blasting, joint cutting and moisture testing — done to a defined CSP profile with dust extracted at source and a written handover so you have documented substrate condition before your coating goes down.
Key benefits
- Diamond grinding with HEPA dust extraction
- Captive shot blasting to CSP 3–5
- Slab moisture testing to BS 8203 / BS 8204
- Joint cutting, chasing and repair
- Contamination and coating removal
- Written handover with profile documentation
Our installation process
Every concrete floor preparation project follows the same disciplined sequence. Skipping steps is where floors fail — we don't skip.
- Step 01
Survey
We walk the area, log existing coatings, moisture readings and any contamination that needs removing before the mechanical work starts.
- Step 02
Method statement
Written method statement and RAMS supplied. We'll work to your principal contractor's requirements.
- Step 03
Coating removal
Where existing coatings need lifting, we use captive shot blast or heavier grinders as appropriate — no chemical stripping, no downstream contamination.
- Step 04
Diamond grinding
Multi-head planetary grinders take the substrate back to a CSP 3–4 profile for standard resin systems. Diamond tooling is matched to the concrete hardness.
- Step 05
Captive shot blast
For heavier build-ups (PU screeds, MMA) we shot blast to CSP 4–5. All shot is contained and vacuumed as we go — no free grit on site.
- Step 06
Joint cutting and repair
Existing joints are chased, cleaned and re-mortared where required. Cracks are cut out and injected.
- Step 07
Handover
Written handover confirming CSP profile, moisture readings and any recommendations for the following trade.
Where it works, where it doesn't
We're honest about specification. A system installed in the wrong environment will fail no matter how well it's laid.
Suitable for
- Main contractors and principal designers
- Other resin flooring installers
- Facilities and estates teams
- Coating manufacturers requiring a test surface
- Landlords preparing units for tenant fit-out
Not suitable for
- Substrates with structural cracking (requires civils intervention first)
- Areas without safe access for planetary grinders and shot blast heads
Advantages and trade-offs
Advantages
- Standalone service — no need to buy the floor from us
- HEPA extraction and captive shot blast keep site clean
- Documented CSP profile handed over in writing
- Fast — most preparation completes in 1–3 days
- Works with your programme and your coating installer
Trade-offs
- •Requires safe power and access
- •Some noise and vibration inherent to the equipment
- •Best paired with a same-week coating install to protect the profile
Durability and lifespan
A properly prepared substrate stays resin-ready for 5–7 days before atmospheric contamination starts to close the profile. We recommend coating within a week of preparation.
Once coated, a well-prepared substrate carries the floor for the full design life — 15–25 years for heavy-duty systems.
Curing times
Cure schedule at 20°C. Colder conditions extend times; heated cures accelerate them.
| Stage | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ready for coating | Same day | Grind completed and vacuumed, ready for primer once dust settled. |
| Profile lifespan | 5–7 days | Recommended coating window before atmospheric contamination affects bond. |
| Joint repair cure | 2 hours | Fast-cure epoxy mortar handles same-day overlay. |
| Moisture readings | 72 hours | Hygrometer readings ideally taken after 72 hours of sealed conditions. |
Maintenance and aftercare
Preparation itself doesn't need maintenance — it's a service delivered to another trade.
If coating is delayed beyond 7 days, the substrate should be re-vacuumed and inspected before overlay. A light re-grind may be required.
Aftercare checklist
- Coat within 7 days of preparation
- Re-vacuum if coating is delayed
- Protect the profile from foot traffic
- Keep moisture out of the prepared area
Colour, finish and customisation
CSP profile is specified to the coating system going on top — thin build-ups (paint, thin epoxy) need CSP 2–3; standard resin needs CSP 3–4; heavy PU screeds need CSP 4–5.
We work to your coating manufacturer's data sheet — send it over with the enquiry and we'll match the profile.
Available finishes
- ◆CSP 2 — very smooth for thin paint systems
- ◆CSP 3 — standard for self-smoothing epoxy
- ◆CSP 4 — heavy-duty resin build-ups
- ◆CSP 5 — PU screeds and MMA
Send us your programme dates and the coating specification — we'll come back with a preparation quote and CSP target.
Concrete Floor Preparation — frequently asked
Do I need to buy a floor from you as well?+
No — mechanical preparation is a standalone service. Many of our clients are other resin installers or main contractors.
How much dust does grinding create?+
Minimal — planetary grinders run with HEPA-filtered vacuum extraction at the head. No visible dust in adjacent areas.
Can you remove existing coatings?+
Yes — captive shot blast or heavier grinders take epoxy, paint and thin coatings off in a single pass.
How long does it take?+
Typical rate is 200–400 m² per day depending on hardness and coating removal required.
What CSP profile do you deliver?+
CSP 2–5 depending on the coating going on top. We work to your coating manufacturer's data sheet.
Related resin systems
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ReadFactory Resin Flooring
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ReadAvailable across the West Midlands
We install concrete floor preparation across:
Call 07756 971 165 for a free quotation, or email admin@epoxyguys.co.uk.
More resin systems by Epoxy Guys
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