Commercial Concrete Surface Preparation
Concrete surface preparation — the prep decides whether the next system lasts
Coatings that delaminate
A coating bonds to the profile underneath it. Too smooth and it peels, contaminated and it never bonds at all. Profiling to the right CSP level is what prevents that.
Old adhesives and coverings
Cutback adhesive, tile, carpet glue and failed coatings all have to come off before anything new goes down. Scraping, grinding and shot blasting each suit different jobs.
Unknown slab condition
Prep exposes what the slab is actually doing, including soft surface paste, contamination and cracking, before it becomes a warranty problem.
Concrete surface preparation — grinding, shot blasting and scraping do different jobs
The right method depends on what is on the slab, how large the area is, and how much profile the next system needs. Most commercial jobs use more than one.
Grinding or shot blasting
Diamond grinding is precise, works to edges and suits occupied spaces. shot blasting covers large open areas fast and leaves a deeper profile. Slabs too large or too contaminated to grind go to the blaster.
What CSP level you need
ICRI defines concrete surface profiles from CSP 1 to CSP 9. Thin coatings need less profile, heavy builds need more. Profiling past what the system requires wastes time and material.
How a concrete surface preparation project runs
Site assessment
We walk the slab, check its condition, test for moisture where it matters, and give you a clear scope with no vague line items.
Strip and remove
Scraping, grinding or shot blasting removes old coatings, adhesives, tile and carpet, with dust containment running throughout.
Profile to spec
The slab is profiled to the ICRI CSP level the next coating or flooring system requires, no more and no less.
Clean handoff
The floor is cleaned down and handed off ready for the next trade, with documentation where applicable.
Where we provide concrete surface preparation
All West Surface Prep is based in Commerce City, Colorado and works across Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and South Dakota. For Denver metro projects specifically, see our concrete surface prep in Denver page.
Our shop is in Commerce City, a short haul from most of the metro. For profile requirements, building access and scheduling on Denver projects, see concrete surface preparation in Denver.
Colorado60 cities
New Mexico7 cities
South Dakota6 cities
Common questions about concrete surface preparation
How do I know which prep method my floor needs?
It depends on what is on the slab, the size of the area, and the profile the next system requires. We establish that on the site walk before quoting.
Can you work in an occupied building?
Yes. We run HEPA-managed dust containment on grinding and blasting so adjacent tenants and other trades keep working.
What is a CSP level?
The ICRI concrete surface profile scale, CSP 1 to CSP 9, describes how rough the prepared surface is. The coating manufacturer specifies which level their system needs.
Do you remove old adhesive and tile?
Yes. Cutback adhesive, carpet glue, tile and failed coatings are routine removal work ahead of a new system.
Get a concrete surface preparation quote
Send the facility type, the approximate square footage and what is currently on the floor. You will hear back the same business day.