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 it? For the quiet reason that flooring is under our feet and less likely to be noticed, there’s a temptation for DIYers to dismiss the need for a professional when it comes to installing or renovating their surface. This post will cover the reasons why you should hire a professional for your surface preparation along with some tips should you decide to give it a try on your own.   

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional for Your Surface

If you’re on the fence about hiring a professional, there are several key factors that you may want to note before you make your decision. Consider the following benefits when it comes to hiring a contractor or business to prepare your surface:

The Quality of Work

First and foremost, your flooring is nothing to trifle with. Between the initial removal or installation and the final coat, there are several things that can go wrong and negatively impact your surface. Uneven floors or an incorrect coat, for instance, can result in serious slip/trip hazards – especially if the surface is in a manufacturing plant or auto shop where there are regular spills and heavy foot traffic.

Professionals know the ins and outs of these projects. When you hire them to get the job done, you do your part in securing a higher quality surface that speaks to the integrity behind your operation or property.

The Surface Itself

You can live or work in a space for decades and still not know the surface like you think you do. A professional will know what tools to use, when to use them, and how to approach the removal and preparation of various complex surfaces.

Environmental Influences

You may be surprised by the ways that the surface’s environment affects the decision-making process. One of the more apparent influences pertains to industry factors. For example, your hired professional will be able to determine what coating is best based on elements like everyday wear and tear, machinery usage, and weather. Temperature can also have its effects when it comes to coating.

The Equipment and Accessories

Scrapers, scarifiers, grinders, trowels, concrete saws, shot blasters, edgers, tooling pads – the list could go on. When you don’t hire a professional, you sacrifice your floor’s potential to be treated with an extensive catalog of items that are engineered for quality completion. At the end of the day, you may know a thing or two about how to grind, polish, and coat, but your access to every possible tool you may need is limited when you do it yourself.

If You’re Going the DIY Route, Consider These Tips

While we recommend that you use a professional for your surface prep work, we recognize that there may be reasons you want to give it a go yourself – maybe it’s a matter of budget or perhaps you want to learn. Whatever the case, there are some matters you should consider before you get started.

1. Consult an Expert

An experienced professional in this industry will have wells of knowledge that is worth looking into. Of course, knowledge isn’t always free so it may be difficult to track down an expert who is willing to give you their time at little-to-no cost.

Regardless, whether you call a local surface prep contractor or look for some helpful PDFs online, be sure you’re informing your DIY attempt with supplemental guidance if you hope to get the work done safely and correctly.

2. You May Want to Rent Your Equipment

Unless you plan on making a change in your career path, you probably aren’t looking to make an investment in surface prep equipment and accessories. You may be surprised at what you can rent and have shipped to you.  

3. Take Safety Precautions 

When performing due diligence in a DIY surface prep project, never overlook the necessary safety measures. Being that every project is different, and your property is likely to have its own hazards, approaches to safety will vary. This is a general list of precautions you should take:

  • Wear a mask when grinding or polishing concrete to prevent inhalation of crystalline silica
  • Use steel-toe, heavy-duty work boots and work gloves
  • Do not wear loose clothing that could get caught in machinery
  • Have proper lighting equipment set up around the surface
  • Use equipment that is appropriate for the environment (avoid gas-powered equipment in poorly ventilated or small spaces, for example)

Furthermore, it’s vital that you do not operate surface prep equipment without first reading the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations.

Runyon Surface Prep – A Full-Service Facility with Equipment to Rent or Purchase

At Runyon, we have a substantial range of tools and accessories available for concrete surface preparation. Whether you’re readying a surface from the ground up, tearing up an old floor to implement a new aesthetic, or polishing a few small rooms, our catalog is sure to have what you need to complete the task at hand. Reach out today to learn more.