One of the main problems when it comes to concrete floors is that you can be left with a bumpy and dusty floor that is actually unfinished. Machine-assisted manufacturing helps correct the natural error that concrete creates as it dries.
Finishing a concrete floor is all about timing, if you get it wrong you could be left with an uneven floor or a lot of mess to clean up. A power trowel is used to create a strong, flat finish on a concrete floor, such as a patio floor or interior kitchen floor. Power troweling can be accomplished on any size surface with either a hand trowel or a mounted trowel.
How do they work?
Power trowels come with a blade or multiple blades that rotate continuously from within a safety cage that rotates over the concrete surface to provide a consistent result. They are used to smooth out any imperfections in the concrete surface that may cause bumps or ridges when it hardens. The general rule of thumb when using a power trowel is to place one foot on the concrete and make sure the mark leaves no more than 3mm of an imprint, with as little water residue as possible (i.e. avoid cold days and wet). If you let the concrete get too thick, the blades won’t be able to cut through the floor and will damage the equipment, which is obviously not what you want. If the surface is too soft, the machine will break the surface and leave huge tracks on the ground. The floor must be able to support the weight of the pallet and, in most cases, the operator as well.
Power Trowel Benefits
* Provides a strong and lasting result.
* Handheld use allows smoothing of small areas quickly and efficiently
* Sit on the machine or a push machine for a variety of different surface areas
* Removes any visible imperfections on the surface
* Gasoline or electric
* Variability of blade option
There are a variety of different blades to choose from and they will all provide a different finish. Whether you’re looking for a certain type of finish or have a surface with an abnormal amount of blemishes, you can choose which blade is best suited for your situation. Obviously, the most important feature of a power trowel is the ability to balance itself and provide a level floor. For those areas where there are excessive dents and ridges, the blades can be adjusted accordingly. Care must be taken at all stages so that the result is the best that can be achieved.
Walking behind the trowel will allow the machine to remove any and all footprints, if they are not removed on the first pass, they definitely will on the second. Concrete contractors are very experienced in their field of work, however it is important to see for yourself what they can offer and see their past results to help you create a flawless result.