Sandblasting involves blasting concrete or another hard surface using highly compressed air and abrasive material such as sand, glass, or plastic to clean or roughen it.
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Sandblasting is a simple and effective way to clean, strip, and polish concrete floors. Sandblasting is increasingly widely used by households and companies to lightly polish concrete or to cut deeper into it for non-slip applications or an exposed aggregate finish. It can create unique textures or patterns, as well as a strong coating foundation for better bonding.
Benefits Of Concrete Sandblasting
When it comes to adding texture to a concrete surface, sandblasting has a lot of advantages. These advantages include:
Reduced Chemical Exposure
When deciding between mechanical and chemical concrete strippers, exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals should be one of the factors to consider. The abrasive media used when sandblasting concrete surfaces do not contain as many chemicals, which can be deadly if not used appropriately. Sandblasting has inherent risks, but when compared to chemical concrete stripping; it decreases exposure to harmful chemicals.
Sandblasting Is A Cost-Effective
Sandblasting is not only a quick and effective technique to clean and texture the surface of hardened concrete, but it’s also a cost-effective approach to create a clean, rough surface that primers and liquid paint can cling to easily.
Quick And Efficient Approach
When preparing concrete surfaces, quick results are desired. Sandblasting, when done properly, can help you save time. Unlike chemical strippers, which can take days or even weeks to complete, sandblasting equipment can clean and sculpt the concrete surface as they go. As a result, you’ll get quick and effective results.
Wide Variety Of Abrasive Media
Although sand was once the only abrasive media available for blasting hardened concrete surfaces, a wide range of abrasive media is now accessible. Glass beads, walnut shells, steel shots, steel grit, aluminum oxide, dry ice, and other materials are among them.
Tips For Better Sandblasting Results
Preparing the surface, securing any surrounding objects that may become harmed, and developing the right blasting method with the machine are some of the greatest sandblasting concrete tips to use.
Select The Appropriate Abrasive
Match the abrasive to the surface you’re working on and the result you want to achieve. To acquire the best results, use the finest abrasive available. To remove grime, grease, and paint from concrete, silica sand or glass beads are the best material. A deeper cut can be achieved with denser or harsher abrasives. It’s also important to consider the shape. When compared to angular media, rounder particles cut less deeply.
Prepare Concrete Surface
The preparation of the concrete surface is critical; any objects on the concrete, such as tree branches or pebbles, must be removed. Any debris that remains on the concrete after sandblasting becomes projectiles that might cause harm to neighboring property or people.
Sandblasters splatter high-velocity sand across the surface. As a result, any wood items or plants that are close to the concrete should be covered with a tarp; high-speed sand can quickly produce little indentations in plant leaves or wood borders.
Follow Safety Procedures
Sandblasting uses crystalline silica or other elements that might cause lung damage, as well as hazardous quantities of dust or toxic metals.
Wear protective equipment such as safety goggles or a face shield, knee pads, gloves, ear protection, steel-toed boots, and a full coverall. Wear a dust mask or respirator to protect your lungs from crystalline silica.
Proper Blasting Technique
Before blasting the entire surface, start with a tiny, inconspicuous section to test the results. This will prevent you from ruining a large surface area in case of poor results.
The walking speed must be consistent, but not excessive or the blasting will be ineffective against the concrete. Place the nozzle 8 to 16 inches away from your body and point it at the surface. To ensure homogeneous penetration, keep the same distance from the surface throughout the process.
After a few passes, adjust the pressure setting as needed. For bends and tight spaces, use brief bursts for consistency.
Conclusion
Regardless of the type of concrete floor you need to prepare, hiring a competent sandblasting contractor to manage your project is the best method to get the most out of your sandblasting. Paying a small cost for expert sandblasting treatment now will save you money in the long run.