Concrete Floor Sander Rental Lowes (2024)

FAQs

What type of sander is best for concrete floors? ›

Use a handheld concrete sander or orbital sander for small or indoor projects like bathroom floors or countertops. Use a belt sander for larger, more aggressive projects like garage floors. Use a floor concrete grinder or walk-behind grinder for large outdoor spaces like patios or driveways.

A concrete grinder is a machine consisting of rotating diamond-tipped discs designed to cut into the surface at up to 1/8 inch. A grinder mechanically removes the top layer of concrete without eroding or scraping it to leave smooth, even surface textures.

Concrete grinders can be handheld, walk-behind, or even ridden. They are powered by gas, propane gas, and electricity. Gas-powered grinders typically guarantee a more consistent power source compared to the others. They generally should only be used for outdoor applications.

To hand sand concrete surfaces, you'll want to use 80- to 100-grit sandpaper and a sandpaper block (or a block of wood that's easy to hold). Wet the sandpaper and the concrete, then rub the sandpaper across the concrete in long, smooth strokes, using moderate pressure.

Regular sandpaper is not solid or durable enough to polish a concrete surface, and that's why you need a polishing pad or diamond sandpaper. Manual sanding is similar to using a power tool, though tiring and less efficient.

A grinder can take off up to 1/8 of an inch of material with each pass — less than a concrete scarifier, which cuts into surface coatings and the underlying concrete and can cut about 1/4 of an inch with each pass.

For small jobs, a hand-held grinder is a great choice. These are also great for detail work. Angle grinders allow you to reach every corner easily. If you want to polish your concrete floor slab, you probably want to use a large grinder that can cover surfaces fast.

Most of the time, grinding down concrete slabs can be done with a handheld angle grinder and an attached diamond cup wheel. If grinding is needed in large quantities, it can be done with walk-behind grinding units.

Working with concrete is not easy. It can be difficult to remove once it has set and is abrasive. Because of this, it's crucial to work with it using the appropriate cutting tools. Thus, some of the most excellent tools for grinding concrete are angle grinders.

On average, if we keep the figures discussed above in mind, the concrete grinding process (from beginning to end) could take anywhere from three days of work to one week or more. Take the requirements of your project into account when discussing timeframes with a professional versed in concrete grinding.

Is grinding concrete bad? ›

Fine particles created by cutting and grinding can get deep into the lungs. Most concrete and masonry products contain large amounts of sand. When you inhale the dust, silica particles scar your lungs, causing a disabling, irreversible, and incurable lung disease called silicosis.

Sharp sand is usually preferred over builders sand when making concrete because of its grittier consistency, however you can add a coarser aggregate to your builders sand if you don't have any sharp sand to make concrete.

Sanding concrete does more than just enhance its aesthetics and create the polished look desired for concrete floors, countertops, and walls. It also contributes to a safer environment by smoothing out rough surfaces and rounding off sharp edges, which could otherwise lead to accidents or injuries.

For small jobs, a handheld angle grinder is enough. These work well for small adjustments in corners or edges. For bigger areas, use a concrete grinding machine. These cover a larger surface and make sure the floor is even, giving a smooth, clean finish.

What are the benefits of using an orbital sander? It's ideal for all types of solid hardwood flooring, including cork and wood composition flooring, parquet, and similar styles, which result in a smooth finish.