Concrete floors are one of the most durable and stable surfaces on which to install hardwood. However, they need a little extra care because they’re nearly impossible to sand down with traditional tools. Grinding concrete floors is necessary for this purpose. The process is done with an industrial grinder that’s specifically designed for these types of materials. This industrial grinder creates a level surface for your wood flooring to be installed on top of. Ground-down concrete also has the added benefit of providing excellent moisture protection by absorbing any spills or drips that occur while you’re installing new wood flooring in your home!
Hiring a professional contractor to grind your concrete before installing your hardwood flooring is highly recommended. Hiring a professional will ensure that all your home repair projects are done correctly the first time to prevent any costly do-overs, which can be quite a messy and expensive expense for you. These days, there are many companies out there offering concrete grinding services to individuals and companies. This service is very popular, especially in areas where concrete grinding is necessary to repair work. However, you should never hire just anyone for this job.
Homeowners need to make sure that they understand how much the services will cost them. Estimates may be provided, but it is ultimately up to the homeowner. The final payment can depend on many factors, such as the contractor’s rates and material costs; additionally, contractors will require a down payment before starting work. Sometimes estimates are also available online, but homeowners should be cautious; not all estimates are honest!
Below are a few points you should consider before hiring a professional concrete contractor.
- They have experience. This means they know the best way to get the perfect finish and reduce potential damage during installation.
- They have all of the necessary equipment, so there’s no need for you to purchase anything.
- They know how much concrete needs to be removed based on your floor plans and where you’ll put new hardwood.
- If they’re installing standard prefabricated laminate floors, then there’s little chance that this will result in an adverse reaction with any other materials present (i.e., paint).
- In order to guarantee that your concrete is constructed well, a qualified contractor needs to have all the necessary equipment. This includes drum mixers, pressure tanks, and sprayers in addition to tools like concrete saws or grinders. A contractor should also have access to the type of materials you need for your project.
- Insurance can be essential when you’re choosing a concrete contractor. If you’re looking for a great deal on the job, but it seems too expensive, check out their insurance policy before making any decisions! Not all companies will provide excellent coverage, so make sure to find one that does. You’ll want them to have an effective and strong insurance policy in place if anything ever goes wrong.
When hiring a professional company to do concrete grinding, it is also equally crucial for the homeowner to research to find the best service. One of the first steps in this process should be finding out what sort of equipment they use and how it is used. A good company will have state-of-the-art machinery and trained personnel with experience in doing projects like these.
Homeowners should also read reviews about the contractors they may be interested in hiring. Talk to their neighbors who have had the job done previously, and ask them if they would hire that contractor again because of how well their work was executed. Another option is to ask someone who recently did concrete grouting for their home; this person may share some insight into the process and offer advice on what to expect before going through with it themselves.
Another step would be to ensure the contractor’s company takes care of cleaning correctly. Chemical cleaning is a process where the old surface is cleaned of dirt and debris by chemical reaction with water and detergent. Acid etching can be used to shorten the time it takes for new concrete to adhere properly but requires extra precautions because the acid can damage other building materials or paint on surfaces near the area being repaired.
One form of cleaning is mechanical preparation. Mechanical preparation uses an abrasive such as sandpaper or wire brush to remove any loose material on the surface. This includes rust, peeling paint, mildew stains, etc., while making sure not to remove too much material from the underlying layers of drywall, so you don’t weaken its strength in that area. The abrasive method provides deep penetration into all types of porous surfaces such as wood, brick, or cinder block without removing more than 1/8″ per pass at most.
When talking with a concrete contractor, ask questions regarding the project you have in mind. Listen carefully to the contractor’s responses and evaluate whether the answers are feasible and practical. If possible, bring along with you someone knowledgeable who can provide support while you are talking with the contractor. This will help you double-check the information provided by the contractor.
Many people do not realize when they try to learn how to hire a contractor because you can often save money by contracting with a local firm. They will be familiar with any building codes or permits required for your project. While hiring a contractor locally may be the cheapest way to go, it is certainly not the only way to learn how to hire a contractor for your home renovation project.
And finally, will they get it done on time? If you’re considering a larger project, such as doing hardwood throughout the entire house, choosing a concrete contractor to do the work early is always a good idea. Most concrete contractors will want to finish making the concrete even by a specific time & date, so scheduling early is essential. If you don’t schedule early enough for your desired timeframe for hardwood installation, your only other option would be to hire an entirely new company. As the saying goes, “fail the plan, plan to fail.”
These are just some of the tips we feel are imperative when it comes to ensuring your flooring is as perfect as it can be before hardwood flooring being installed.