Dust from crushed or ground concrete contains a hazardous particle known as crystalline silica. This particle is especially hazardous to those working in concrete surface preparation and everyday concrete worksites. Many workers in these industries risk exposure to...
The cleaning step is one of the most important measures you can take when preparing a surface for installation or renovations. Yet, it’s not uncommon—even for professionals—to have missteps or even skip this step altogether, especially if the surface appears clean to...
For many, preparing and finishing a concrete floor without the need of material installations is a no-brainer. This approach will check a lot of boxes for property owners and contractors – whether that be price, aesthetic, convenience, or another benefit. That’s not...
On their own, while durable and low-maintenance, concrete surfaces are not much to look at – which is why there’s always a demand for new and unique ways of approaching concrete surface installation. You could, of course, go traditional and add some tiles or wood to...
Slurry is a hazardous liquid that often results from wet polishing concrete surfaces with abrasive tools. While it’s more than a simple nuisance—sometimes utilized for floor repair, like filling air bubbles in concrete surfaces—slurry is still a danger to the...
Power trowels are primarily used in surface preparation to apply smooth finishes to concrete slabs. This machine has assisted professionals with concrete surface work for over several decades and continues to evolve with the times. Not only can use a power trowel for...
Before getting into the specifics of each approach to surface removal, you should first note that grinding is not universally preferred over shot blasting or vice versa. So, there is no one blanket answer to the question: Should I shot blast or grind my concrete...
Whether you’re talking about excessive UV exposure outside, poor ventilation inside, or issues with maintaining a consistent temperature for bonding, there are a plethora of potential influences that can affect the final outcome of your work. While the goals remain...
For many, flooring is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of a home or business. Of course, you may notice when the flooring is unattractive or torn up and dirty. But when everything is going right and the floor is as it should be, are you really paying attention to...
There are numerous factors that can influence your choice of surface coating. Is your project taking place outdoors? Or, is it indoors in a low key, residential environment? What about projected foot traffic? Your budget? Of course, you’re likely already considering...
For over a century, epoxy compounds have been mixed and distributed. And, for the better part of that century, epoxy resin has been used in surface adhesion. Still a favorite for contractors, businesses, and handy homeowners, epoxy coating comes with a wide array of...
Moisture is among the greatest enemies of a quality surface preparation project. At its worst, it can cause you and your team to waste precious time and resources as you work to undo the damage done. What’s worse, left unchecked, coating pitfalls from moisture may...
From equipment hazards to dangerous chemicals and harmful dust, there are a plethora of dangers present in the surface preparation industry. Taking the time to understand the proper precautions and operating procedures may help you avoid serious injuries and diseases....
Perhaps it’s their versatility, or perhaps it’s the wide range of surfaces they can cover, but few things benefit a good surface prep job like a quality scarifier. That’s because, between their attachments and the various models available, scarifiers present a dynamic...
The clank and scrape of metal against tiles, the buzz of grinders, and the hum of a power trowel as it polishes your finished product – you can picture the whole job from removal to completion. But, what about prior to floor resurfacing? If you’re relatively new to...
The first uses of terrazzo stone flooring date back to more than a half-millennium, when Italian architects and Venetian workers used marble scrap leftover from other projects as a decorative add-on to the clay they used in residences and terraces. While modern...
When it comes to garage floor coatings, there are a lot of options and a lot of different results you can achieve. From flake to resin designs the options are limitless. Once you have figured out what you would like your end result to look like, or hope to look...
Wet polishing is the oldest known method of concrete surface prep, dating back to the early 1900s. It wasn’t until the 1990s that dry polishing was introduced to the industry, and it happened by accident. A polishing contractor left his new crew to do a job, assuming...
Shot blasters may be used for a number of reasons in concrete surface prep. You may have a small surface area that a large grinder cannot sufficiently prepare, you may be looking to smoothen out your concrete floor, or maybe your surface requires the removal of only a...
Starting your surface prep project with the right equipment will do more than help you complete the job. Prepping concrete correctly from the get-go will boost your efficiency and ensure you don’t have to do extra work or, in some cases, backtrack. In this post, we’ll...
The right approach to polishing, coating, or repairing your concrete floors will prove to be a worthy investment in functionality and aesthetics. But before you can start, you’ll need to be thorough in preparing your surface or risk the project backfiring on you....
Concrete is a popular flooring choice across every commercial industry and for a variety of home projects. Ensuring that you’re using the right concrete floor coating for the job is critical – both for your budget and for the sake of the lifespan of your floor....
Polished concrete is the go-to choice for a wide range of commercial flooring endeavors. You can find it under your feet at hospitals, schools, department stores, and just about any location seeking a near-permanent flooring solution and attractive shine. In fact,...
There are several factors you will want to consider when it comes to choosing between propane and electric surface preparation equipment. Maybe you value choosing equipment that is environmentally less harmful than other options. Propane as a fuel source, for example,...
Concrete can make for strong and long-lasting surfaces and flooring. But it’s not without its pitfalls. Exposure to chemicals, traffic, heavy equipment, and even harsh weather can wear down even the highest quality concrete if left untreated. The right coating can...
Regardless of commercial industry or residential purposes, garage flooring needs can vastly differ from case to case. If you’re looking for a dependable, long-lasting coat, you rarely have to go very far, as many coating products boast similar qualities. But...
Colored concrete has been a popular choice for exterior residential projects for decades. Just take a stroll down a neighborhood street, and you’re bound to see at least a few colorful driveways or patios. But in recent years, this material has found favor everywhere...
This Runyon Roots article is long overdue, as Nick has been with our Runyon family for over two years! Nick is part of our RSP Team and works at our Rancho Cordova, California office in the shipping & receiving department! He was born in Fort Carson, Colorado on...
Concrete flooring aesthetics are more important than you might think. While plain, unadorned concrete may not be a thing of the past quite yet, it’s certainly heading that way. And at this point, you’d be hard-pressed to find a customer who isn’t worried about looks....
Once relegated to warehouse floors and out-of-sight restaurant kitchens, polished concrete can now be found in universities, corporate offices, and even residential dwellings. The right floor grinders and other equipment, coupled with proper surface preparation, will...
