What is concrete surface preparation?

Concrete surface preparation is the mechanical removal of coatings, adhesive, laitance and contaminants, plus profiling the slab so a new system can bond. It is done by grinding, shot blasting or scarifying, depending on the floor and the product going on top.

What is the difference between grinding and shot blasting?

Diamond grinding uses abrasive tooling to flatten, clean and open the surface, and it is the usual step before polishing. Shot blasting throws steel shot at the slab to profile it quickly. We pick the method from the existing surface and the profile the manufacturer requires.

Can you remove an old epoxy coating or flooring adhesive?

Yes. Thin coatings and adhesive are typically ground or shot blasted off, and thicker build-up is scarified. The method depends on the coating type and thickness, and we confirm it during the site review.

Is concrete grinding dusty?

It can be, which is why we use dust-controlled equipment with vacuum systems. We plan containment and cleanup around your operation so the work can run in occupied buildings.

Do you grind and prep floors you are not coating?

Yes. We can prepare a slab for another installer's flooring, or as a standalone scope. Tell us the next system and we will prepare to its requirements.

Concrete Grinding & Surface Prep in Chicago, IL

Why does surface preparation decide whether a floor lasts?

Most coating and flooring failures start at the bond line. A slab with laitance, curing compound, old adhesive or oil on it will not hold a new system, no matter how good the product is. Mechanical preparation removes the weak or contaminated surface and opens the pores of the concrete so the new material can grip.

The required profile depends on the product. Thin coatings need a fine profile, while thick overlays and some underlayments need a rougher one. We follow the manufacturer's data sheet for the system going on top.

What preparation methods do we use?

We choose the method from the condition of the slab, the material being removed and the profile required.

Common concrete preparation methods and when they are used
Method	Best for
Diamond grinding	Removing thin coatings, adhesive and high spots, and opening the slab before coatings or polishing
Shot blasting	Fast, dust-controlled profiling of large open floors and removal of thin coatings
Scarifying	Removing thick coatings, mastics and heavy build-up
Cleaning and degreasing	Oil and contaminants that grinding alone would drive deeper into the slab

What does preparation lead into?

Preparation is the first step of nearly every project we do. Once the slab is profiled, we move straight into floor leveling, a skim coat, epoxy, polyurethane or polyaspartic coatings or concrete polishing. If testing shows high moisture, moisture mitigation goes down before any of those.

Cracks, spalls and damaged joints found during grinding are handled by our concrete repair crews before the surface is finished.

How our Grinding & Surface Prep process works

1
Assess the slab
We review the existing floor, what needs to come off and the profile the next system requires.
2
Select the method
Grinding, shot blasting or scarifying is chosen for the material and the conditions on site.
3
Prepare the surface
The floor is mechanically prepared with dust-controlled equipment and cleaned of debris and contaminants.
4
Inspect the profile
We check the finished surface against the product requirements before the next system goes down.

What affects the cost of concrete grinding & surface prep?

Every floor is different, so we price each project from the site, the slab and the spec. These are the factors that move the number. Send us your project for an itemized bid.

Total square footage
What is being removed, such as coatings, adhesive or mastic, and how thick it is
The surface profile the next system requires
Slab condition and any repairs needed
Dust control needs in an occupied building
Access and schedule

Concrete Grinding & Surface Prep questions

What is concrete surface preparation?: Concrete surface preparation is the mechanical removal of coatings, adhesive, laitance and contaminants, plus profiling the slab so a new system can bond. It is done by grinding, shot blasting or scarifying, depending on the floor and the product going on top.
What is the difference between grinding and shot blasting?: Diamond grinding uses abrasive tooling to flatten, clean and open the surface, and it is the usual step before polishing. Shot blasting throws steel shot at the slab to profile it quickly. We pick the method from the existing surface and the profile the manufacturer requires.
Can you remove an old epoxy coating or flooring adhesive?: Yes. Thin coatings and adhesive are typically ground or shot blasted off, and thicker build-up is scarified. The method depends on the coating type and thickness, and we confirm it during the site review.
Is concrete grinding dusty?: It can be, which is why we use dust-controlled equipment with vacuum systems. We plan containment and cleanup around your operation so the work can run in occupied buildings.
Do you grind and prep floors you are not coating?: Yes. We can prepare a slab for another installer's flooring, or as a standalone scope. Tell us the next system and we will prepare to its requirements.

Last updated: October 27, 2026

Request a Bid

Have a floor that needs to perform?

Send us your drawings, square footage and schedule. We will walk the site, test the slab and get you a clear, itemized bid.

Request a Bid Illinois (312) 525-8827 Indiana (219) 533-2662

What to send us

Have these ready and we can turn your bid around faster.

Drawings, specs or a floor plan
Approximate square footage
Current floor condition (photos help)
Your target schedule

Email plans to sales@corefloorings.com