UK based floor preparation and screed services
Concrete Floor Preparation in the UK
Thorough assessment, the right mechanical preparation, and dust-controlled compliance are what separate durable, warranty-friendly floors from costly callbacks.
When is Floor Preparation Necessary?
Concrete floor preparation is required in the following situations:
- Before Installing Screeds or Floor Finishes: Ensures proper adhesion and durability.
- To Remove Laitance: Eliminates the weak top layer to enhance bonding.
- To Level Uneven Floors: Prepares the surface for smooth floor coverings.
- Before Applying Resin or Epoxy Coatings: Ensures proper adhesion of coatings.
- For Repair & Restoration: Removes damaged areas before resurfacing.
Key Processes in Concrete Floor Preparation
1. Surface Cleaning
The first step is to remove dust, grease, and debris using industrial vacuums and detergents.
2. Laitance Removal
Laitance is a weak, powdery layer that forms on concrete surfaces as they cure. It must be removed to ensure strong adhesion of screeds and coatings.
Common methods for laitance removal:
- Mechanical Grinding: Uses diamond grinders to strip the weak surface layer.
- Shot Blasting: Propels steel beads to roughen and clean the surface.
- Scarifying: Uses rotating cutting tools for aggressive removal.
- Chemical Etching: Involves acid-based solutions to dissolve laitance.
3. Surface Repair & Levelling
After laitance removal, any cracks or holes are repaired using epoxy or polymer-based fillers. Levelling compounds may be applied to ensure a uniform surface.
4. Moisture Testing
Before applying finishes, moisture levels must be checked to prevent failure of adhesives and coatings.
5. Priming & Sealing
A primer is applied to improve adhesion before the final floor finish is installed.
“Professional floor preparation using diamond grinding & shot blasting to strip away the existing residues, ensuring a clean, smooth, and contaminant-free surface”
Comparison Table: Laitance Removal Methods
| Method | Effectiveness | Best For | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond Grinding | High | Creating smooth, level surfaces | Can be time-consuming |
| Shot Blasting | Medium-High | Prepping surfaces for coatings | Not ideal for small areas |
| Scarifying | Very High | Heavy-duty removal of laitance | Can be too aggressive for some floors |
| Chemical Etching | Low-Medium | Light surface prep in small areas | Requires proper disposal of chemicals |
Conclusion
Concrete floor preparation is a critical process in ensuring the success of flooring installations in the UK. Proper removal of laitance, surface levelling, and moisture control help prevent failures and increase durability. Choosing the right method depends on the project requirements and desired surface finish.
3 essential facts of expert floor preparation services
1) Assessment
Identify contaminants (bitumen, old adhesive, paint, adhesives), surface defects, strength, and moisture levels.
2) Establish the correct surface profile
Professional methods—including vacuum-assisted diamond grinding, shot blasting, or scabbling—remove laitance and residues while creating the specified mechanical key. Achieving the right Concrete Surface Profile (CSP) prevents debonding, curling, and premature failure of the new layer.
3) Dust-controlled, compliant, and consistent
Using high-efficiency extraction and low-dust tooling protects air quality, keeps sites cleaner, and speeds up follow-on trades.
Equipment Used in Concrete Floor Preparation
- Diamond Grinders: Used for fine surface preparation and laitance removal.
- Shot Blasters: Creates a textured surface for coatings.
- Scarifiers: Removes tough layers and roughens surfaces.
- Vacuum Systems: Collects dust and debris during grinding.
- Moisture Meters: Measures the humidity levels in concrete.
“Adhesive removal from concrete floors is a key step when refurbishing or re-finishing a surface.”
Adhesive removal from concrete floors
Over time, old adhesives from carpets, vinyl, or tiles can harden and cling stubbornly to the concrete, making them difficult to strip away without specialist equipment. Professional removal typically involves mechanical grinding, shot blasting, or scraping to break down and lift the residue, leaving a smooth, contaminant-free surface. This ensures new floor coverings bond effectively and prevents future issues such as lifting, bubbling, or uneven finishes.
Conclusion
Concrete floor preparation is a critical process in ensuring the success of flooring installations in the UK. Proper removal of laitance, surface levelling, and moisture control help prevent failures and increase durability. Choosing the right method depends on the project requirements and desired surface finish.
Vacuum assisted diamond concrete grinding
Vacuum-assisted diamond concrete grinding is a surface preparation method that uses industrial diamond grinding discs to remove coatings, smooth uneven areas, or expose fresh concrete, while simultaneously extracting dust through a powerful vacuum system.
The diamond tooling—available in different grit sizes—efficiently cuts into the concrete, producing a clean and level finish.
The integrated vacuum system captures airborne dust and debris at the source, keeping the work area cleaner, improving visibility for the operator, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations for silica dust control.
This method is highly effective for preparing floors for floor screeding, coatings, or polishing, while minimising mess and downtime.
Laitance removal
Laitance removal is an essential step in concrete floor surface preparation, to ensure strong adhesion of coatings, floor screeds, or adhesives.
Laitance is a weak, powdery layer that forms on the surface of freshly laid concrete as excess water and fine particles rise during curing.
If left untreated, it can compromise the bond of any subsequent floor finish. Removal is typically carried out using mechanical methods such as diamond grinding, shot blasting, or scabbling, leaving a clean, roughened surface ready for the next stage of installation.
Bitumen removal
Bitumen removal from concrete floors is a crucial step when preparing a surface for new finishes, such as resin coatings.
Over time, old bitumen adhesives can harden and bond strongly to the concrete, making them difficult to remove without the right tools and techniques. Professional removal typically involves floor preparation machines such as mechanical diamond grinding or shot blasting to strip away the residue, ensuring a clean, smooth, and contaminant-free surface. This not only improves the adhesion of new floor coverings but also prevents future issues like lifting or uneven finishes.
Residential & Commercial
floor screeding
Floor preparation services in the Midlands
Commercial floor screeding
Warehouse flooring
It will enhance the structural integrity, prevent cracks, and ensure a smooth base for final floor finishes like epoxy coatings or polished concrete.
Floor preparation
We use dust-free, vacuum-assisted diamond grinding equipment to grind concrete surfaces, effectively removing imperfections and providing a smooth base for new coatings