Hudson’s Furniture operates 18 stores in the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, and Ormond Beach, Florida, area. The company offers a variety of American brand furniture, mattresses, and home accents, and positions itself as a resource for consumers who desire American craftsmanship and quality.
Managers of the Hudson Furniture Store in Altamonte Springs, Florida, decided to remove the deteriorating carpet and tile floor coverings in its 50,000-square-foot retail center and renovate the concrete floor to complement its showroom displays.
PROJECT GOALS
The primary goal in removing worn carpet and tile was to improve the aesthetic appeal of the center while extending the service life of its concrete floor and making it compatible with the aesthetic requirements of a retail showroom. The floor had to be able to withstand the wear and abrasion of foot traffic, material handling equipment, and the stains and scuffs inherent in the retail environment. It also had to be completely safe for customers and employees. Minimizing downtime was imperative, so floor restoration needed to be completed as efficiently as possible with minimal affect on the store environment and product inventory.
Regional contractor, Mike Sinwelski Construction, was hired to undertake the floor renovation. The project entailed removing existing carpet, tile, and mastic, and prepping and polishing the concrete floor beneath. The contractor turned to Niagara Machine for the necessary grinding, polishing, and dust collection equipment, along with the diamonds, sealers, and coatings required for the complete process. Niagara Machine technicians provided on-site training in the most effective means for removing the floor coverings, particularly the mastic and adhesives, without staining or scratching the original floor. Training was integral in enabling the crew to complete the project effectively in the desired time frame.
FLOOR PREPARATION
Niagara Machine recommended a BlastPro BRB 1500 Ride-On FloorScaper to remove the existing tile and carpet. This battery-powered machine is completely electric with zero emissions. It has a zero turn capability to maneuver in tight areas and can fit through a 36-inch door. The BRB 1500 has an adjustable blade angle and pivoting blade holder. Its high efficiency, high torque wheel motors assure optimal traction for removing tile, carpet, and thin-set adhesives. The machine is designed to provide the operator a low position for excellent work surface visibility. The production capacity of this BlastPro model is 3,000 square feet per hour.
Initial grinding with 30 grit diamonds removed mastic and residue and yielded an even, consistent surface.
GRINDING AND DUST COLLECTION
Lavina® 30G-X grinders removed mastic and residual grime from the old carpet and tile. Propane-driven grinders eliminated the need to access electrical power continually in the large facility. The construction crew used Lavina diamond abrasives in 30, 70, 120 metals, and 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1500 grit resin to grind and polish the floor in successive steps, yielding a progressively smooth and appealing finish.
Highly efficient dust collection is vital in concrete grinding and polishing to ensure worker and environmental safety. To accomplish this, Niagara technicians recommended two Ermator S36 Dust Extractors and an Ermator Air Scrubber. With three large, commercial-grade vacuum motors that provide over 350CFM and 110 inches of water lift, Ermator S36 Dust Extractors were a perfect complement to the Lavina grinders. These machines feature Jet Pulse filter cleaning to maximize airflow and enable purging of pre-filters without opening up the machine. Drop-down plastic collection bags provide a highly efficient, dustless containment and disposal system, ensuring optimal worker and employee safety.
“Niagara matched the equipment to the size and variables of this project,” says contractor Mike Sinwelski. “Just as important, they instructed the crew in the best way to use the grinders to remove the old mastic. It’s important not to damage the concrete underneath and to keep the area as clean and dust-free as possible.”
DENSIFIERS AND SEALERS
Prosoco Consolideck® LS, a premium sealer, was used to harden and densify the furniture showroom floor. The sealer’s deeply penetrating lithium silicate treatment reacts with the concrete to produce calcium silicate hydrate in the concrete pores. Prosoco LS protects the floor from water and chemical corrosion, as well as surface abrasion. After sealing, the floor was treated with a Prosoco protectant to resist dust and grime and protect the decorative surface.
“The customer is frequently amazed at the results of the polishing process,” says Niagara representative, Charles Serrano. “In this case, Hudson’s has a smooth, highly reflective surface that complements its products. It’s an aesthetically pleasing floor that brightens up the entire showroom.”
RESULTS
The 50,000-square-foot floor was divided into sections, and the entire project was completed in 4 weeks, well within the projected deadline. In addition to eliminating deteriorating and outdated carpet and tile, Hudson Furniture’s floor life is now significantly extended. ■
For More Information: Niagara Machine, Inc. specializes in industrial surface preparation, from prep to maintenance, and provides superior service and high quality products. For more information, visit www.niagaramachine.com.
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Modern Contractor Solutions, July 2015
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