Eco Polish Concrete Floor
What would be the best approach for a commercial cleaning company to polish a concrete floor without the use of chemicals.
Polishing a Concrete Floor Without Chemicals: A Guide for Commercial Cleaning Companies
Polishing a concrete floor without using chemicals is an eco-friendly approach, achievable with the right tools and methods. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Mechanical Polishing
Step 1: Clean the Floor
Start by thoroughly cleaning the concrete floor to remove dust, dirt, and debris using a dust mop or vacuum. You can also use a floor scrubber with water or a neutral cleaner to remove any embedded dirt (be sure to rinse the floor afterward if a cleaner is used).
Step 2: Use Diamond Polishing Pads
Mechanical polishing involves using diamond polishing pads or discs attached to a floor buffer or planetary grinder. These pads come in different grits, typically starting from coarse (around 50 grit) to fine (up to 3000 grit).
- Start with a coarse grit (50-200 grit): Grind the surface to remove minor imperfections.
- Move to medium grit (400-800 grit): Smooth the surface.
- Finish with a high grit (1500-3000 grit): Achieve a shiny, polished look.
Step 3: Dry or Wet Polishing
- Dry Polishing: Use the grinder or buffer without water. This method creates dust, so use a dust collection system.
- Wet Polishing: Reduces dust by using water while polishing. Clean up the slurry afterward.
2. Burnishing
Step 1: Use a High-Speed Burnisher
For an already polished floor, a high-speed burnisher with a diamond-impregnated burnishing pad can restore the shine. This process is fast and efficient, producing a high-gloss finish without chemicals.
Step 2: Regular Maintenance
After the initial polishing, burnishing the floor regularly (weekly or monthly, depending on traffic) helps maintain the shine and keeps the surface smooth without using chemicals.
3. Non-Chemical Sealers (Optional)
You can use non-chemical or water-based sealers to protect the floor after polishing. These sealers create a barrier, making the concrete surface easier to clean and maintain without needing chemical cleaners in the future.
4. Routine Maintenance
- Sweep or vacuum the floor daily to keep dust and debris from wearing down the polished surface.
- Use a microfiber mop with water or a mild cleaner when necessary, avoiding aggressive cleaning chemicals.
This approach ensures that the floor is polished, eco-friendly, and long-lasting without using harsh chemicals.
How many hours would it take to polish 1000 square foot concrete floor without chemicals and how many Diamond Polishing Pads would be needed?
Polishing 1,000 Square Feet of Concrete Without Chemicals
Polishing a 1,000 square foot concrete floor using mechanical diamond polishing pads without chemicals depends on factors like the floor's initial condition and the desired finish. Below is an estimated time and pad requirement.
Time Estimate
The process involves multiple passes with different grit levels of diamond pads:
-
Coarse Grinding (50-200 grit):
- Removes surface imperfections and prepares the floor.
- Estimated time: 4-6 hours.
-
Medium Polishing (400-800 grit):
- Smoothens the surface further.
- Estimated time: 2-4 hours.
-
Fine Polishing (1500-3000 grit):
- Provides a high-gloss, polished finish.
- Estimated time: 2-3 hours.
Total Estimated Time: 8-13 hours.
Diamond Polishing Pads Required
Polishing pads wear down based on the intensity of the work, especially during the coarse grinding phase. For a 1,000 square foot area:
- Coarse Grit Pads (50-200 grit): 3-4 pads.
- Medium Grit Pads (400-800 grit): 2-3 pads.
- Fine Grit Pads (1500-3000 grit): 1-2 pads.
Total Pads Needed: 6-9 pads.
These are estimates and can vary based on the concrete's condition, equipment used, and the quality of the pads.
What would be the estimate cost using 20inch Scotch-Brite pads?
Estimated Cost of Polishing 1,000 Square Feet with 20-inch Scotch-Brite Diamond Pads
For polishing 1,000 square feet of concrete without chemicals, here’s an estimate of the costs using 20-inch Scotch-Brite Diamond Polishing Pads.
Video: Polishing a Concrete Floor with Scotch-Brite Diamond Pads
Demonstration of polishing a concrete floor using Scotch-Brite Diamond Pads:
Polishing Concrete with Scotch-Brite Diamond Pads
Note: This video may be a bit old and blurry, but it still provides a useful demonstration.
Number of Pads Needed
Based on the wear of the pads for a 1,000 square foot area:
- Coarse Grit (50-200 grit): 3-4 pads.
- Medium Grit (400-800 grit): 2-3 pads.
- Fine Grit (1500-3000 grit): 1-2 pads.
Total pads: 6-9 pads.
Cost of 20-inch Scotch-Brite Pads
The price of a 20-inch Scotch-Brite diamond polishing pad varies, but on average:
- Coarse Grit Pad (Sienna or Purple): $50 - $70 each.
- Medium Grit Pad (Blue): $50 - $70 each.
- Fine Grit Pad (Green): $50 - $70 each.
Estimated Cost Breakdown
-
Coarse Grit Pads (3-4 pads):
- 3 pads x $60 = $180
- 4 pads x $60 = $240
- Total: $180 - $240
-
Medium Grit Pads (2-3 pads):
- 2 pads x $60 = $120
- 3 pads x $60 = $180
- Total: $120 - $180
-
Fine Grit Pads (1-2 pads):
- 1 pad x $60 = $60
- 2 pads x $60 = $120
- Total: $60 - $120
Total Estimated Cost
Adding everything together:
- Minimum Cost (6 pads): $360
- Maximum Cost (9 pads): $540
Overall Estimated Cost: $360 - $540.
This cost is based on average market prices for 20-inch Scotch-Brite diamond polishing pads. Prices may vary depending on suppliers or bulk purchases.