Suface Prep/Removal
As one of the most crucial aspects of making floors last, we ensure adequate mechanical prep for each system installed by Extreme IFC. Whether its complete removal of old flooring or brand-new concrete, we will ensure top quality surface prep. Using moisture testing, substrate analysis, and operational assessments, we determine the best methods or preparation for your substrate.
Slide thru the tabs to see all surface/pre/removal options.
Shot Blasting
Planetary Grinding
Hand Held Diamond Grinding
Scarifying
Chasing/ Terminations
Shaving/Planing
Sanding/ Buffing
Full Removal Grouts, Mortars, Tile via Demolition Hammers
Carpet/ Vinyl Flooring Removal
Shot blasting is one of the cleanest, efficient, and reliable methods of surface prep.
Blasting is sure to remove surface laitance, dirt, grease, grime, and other surface containments while leaving an agressive profile for enhanced bonding. Always the method for bare concrete if thicker coatings or mortars are being installed, but for thinner coatings blast/tracking lines may telegraph through. The Blaster is a completely enclosed centrifugal blast wheel and separation system that removes approximately 1/32" to 1/16" of concrete. As the blast wheel spins, steel shot is hurled at the concrete surface. The shot rebounds and along with contaminants which are pulled back to upper filtration portion of the system where shot is recycled and the dust & debris are pulled into the vacuum. Blasting will not remove thick paints, coatings, glues, mastic, tape, stickers, or thick sealers effectively.
A reliable source for surface prep that will assist in leveling and smoothing of the floor
It can remove contaminants, older coatings, light pitting and roughness that may telegraph through a thin coating. With the proper blades (hardness & grit) planetarys leave no tracking lines and work great for thin mil coatings, and decorative systems such as metallic coatings & stains. Although grinding is not as efficient as blasting, it is the least damaging of the prep methods. Grinding can be an acceptable form of prep for any system to be installed unless osmotic issues are present. Planetary Grinders have multiple heads under the shroud with each head having 3 diamond blades that grind the surface while spinning at high rates. When hooked to hepa-vaccums and pre-separators the dust and hazardous silica particles produced are contained.
A crucial part of every job regardless of system or environment is to prep edges and tight areas.
To achieve adequate prep along those edges and in areas not accessible by the larger equipment hand grinders with diamond blades are used to mechanically prep the floor. This mechanical prep helps materials get a durable bond.
A machine used for a variety of task such as coating & mastic removal, surface prep for mortar systems, milling, grooving, and leveling of concrete.
They also provide a range of surface prep from light nicking to heavy milling. Scarifiers are a good option when an aggressive prep is needed but there is not enough space to effectively operate a shot blaster. In combination with planetary grinders, scarifiers work Great for thick coating removal. Scarifiers function by aggressively pummeling the surface with tungsten cutters that are part of a drum assembly that is rotating at high speeds to chip away the surface.
To promote and ensure strong edges along system borders and terminations we install using a variety of termination details.
These different Floor terminations provide smooth transitions between new and old floors. Termination type is chosen by comparing system being installed to surrounding floor finishes. We use shallow terminations for coatings and broadcast floors and deep and wide chases for mortar systems. Termination strips can be used when terminating against carpet, Tile, or Vinyl floors. Chase/Termination detail is also used around drains, cleanouts, and other objects that need to be exposed/accessible and remain flush with the surrounding floor.
Do you need to remove systems to thick for grinding, a waterproof membrane that seems impossible to get up with conventional tools?
Maybe you need a removal solution that will not leave your floor beat and scarred from the use of demolition hammers. Do you need to take concrete down to correct an elevation or pitch issue and don’t want to rip out and replace? Call us for consultation and allow us to provide a solution with the use of our shaver. A shaver is a multipurpose machine that can provide solutions for problems that leave many contractors using many different tools & equipment for long durations with mixed results. Our shaver gives us the ability to remove spalling floors or failing slurry caps, reduce curling joints or concrete risers, level uneven surfaces or floor undulations, and remove old/failing coatings, coverings, overlayments, and mortars. It works faster than grinding because it can penetrate the surface deeper and faster than grinding blades. Shaving causes less unneeded substrate damage, as it minimizes erratic surface damage and micro fractures that loosen sound aggregate.
Mechanical sanding is a method of prep used to lightly abrade the surface in between coatings.
Sanding provides mechanical bond for subsequent coats. Sanding is often used before urethane sealers or when coatings have passed recoat windows. Sanding can also be used to provide smoother floor finishes for those customers who are wanting a very smooth and slick floor finish. Not recommended for Recoat prep if the floor has been in service for long durations or has been exposed to chemicals, greases, oils, or heavy amounts of dirt/grime. Not recommended as a sole means of prep.
Do you have an old floor that is failing and does not provide a good substrate for a new floor?
Do you have moisture issues causing floors to fail? We can remove old floors and help ensure the issue is handled properly. If removal is needed we remove coatings, mortars, and grout beds. Call us and arrange a consultation to walk through your options and if removal is needed we can add that to your project and plan accordingly. We can also provide options for construction of enclosures/ containments to control and prevent dust migration throughout your facility.
We offer removal of old hard/soft flooring systems that you may have in your facility or upcoming project that you plan to replace.
We mechanically remove old flooring with a combination of ride on/ walk behind scrapers, pole scrapers, and demolition hammers. For mastic and glue residue that remains we use a combination of chemical saturation, mechanical scrapping, diamond grinding, or scarifying to ensure complete removal of glues/mastic.