Surface preparation utilizing shot blasting prior to applying flooring such as epoxy, urethane, and MMA.
Shot blasting, illustrated above, and diamond grinding, another Yankee specialty, are the preferred methods of surface preparation prior to the installation of epoxy / urethane / MMA floors. Shot blasting involves the use of high-velocity steel abrasive particles to clean and profile surfaces. Before any coating can be applied to a concrete floor, the surface must be "profiled" making it free of chemicals, dirt, and other contaminants that can act as a bond breaker to proper coating adhesion. Steel shot is recycled in the machine and dust is evacuated to a HEPA-filtered dust collector.
At the heart of Yankee Fiber's shot blasting capability is the "Blastrac" shot blast cleaning system seen in the video above. The Blastrac system uses a wide range of steel shot sizes that are propelled at a high velocity with up to 3,000 pounds of steel shot per minute. We are able to achieve varied surface profiles by adjusting the travel speed of the machine along with the shot size and shot flow rate.
Shot blasting is a Yankee specialty and provides numerous benefits including:
Efficient surface preparation: Shot blasting is a highly efficient surface preparation technique that can clean and profile surfaces quickly and effectively. It can remove paint, rust, and other coatings from surfaces, leaving them clean and ready for further treatment.
Improves adhesion: Shot blasting creates a rough surface profile that improves the adhesion of coatings, paints, and other materials to the surface. This ensures that the coatings bond well and last longer, reducing the need for frequent maintenance. In fact, most coating manufacturers specify shot blasting.
Increases the lifespan of applied coatings: Shot blasting can extend the lifespan of surfaces by removing surface contaminants that can cause corrosion, cracking, and other forms of damage. It can also remove surface irregularities, creating a smooth and uniform surface that is less prone to wear and tear. The service life of new coatings is directly proportional to the level of surface preparation while hand scraping or solvent washing, while fast, is not as effective as a shot blasted surface.
Environmentally friendly: Shot blasting is an environmentally friendly surface preparation technique as it does not use chemicals or produce harmful dust or fumes that can harm the environment or the operator.
Versatile: Shot blasting can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including concrete and steel. It is an effective method for preparing surfaces for coating, painting, or other treatments.
The resulting surface is clean and dry with a uniform profile and texture which provides enhanced performance for new coatings and toppings to bond to. We utilize a wide range of specialized equipment, including the Blastrac system, and have the capability to remove up to 80,000 square feet of concrete per shift with minimal disruption to daily operations. Shot blasting can effectively remove dirt, stains, chemicals, laitance, asbestos mastics, lead paint, adhesives, and old or failing coatings.
Learn more about the Blastrac shot blasting system in this short video.
The Blastrac system is designed to continuously recycle the steel shot while contaminated dust and debris rebound inside a chamber which collects the dust and automatically recycles the shot for reuse. The shot blasting equipment is connected to Yankee’s HEPA filtered dust collectors providing a dust free process.
Yankee Fiber Control has the shot blasting technology to strip, clean, and profile large concrete or steel surfaces without generating any hazardous dust pollution. Contained shot blasting is considered the most efficient technique to remove old coatings and contaminants leaving the surface dry, chemical free, and ready for new coatings.
Yankee is also an experienced floor covering and coating removal contractor. We employ a variety of techniques including our propane and baterry-powered floor scrapers, and infrared Tilelift equipment which provides a cost-effective mechanical means of removing floor tiles. The Tilelift system utilizes infrared/radiant heat to gently soften the tile and mastic bonding agent underneath so that the tiles peel off the floor completely intact.
Applications Include:
Asbestos floor tile
Carpet and carpet tile
Linoleum and floor tile
Ceramic, stone, and quarry tile
Hardwood flooring
Epoxy, elastomeric, and rubberized coatings
Other floor and surface coatings and coverings
In addition to shot blasting, Yankee also provides traditional profiling methods including mechanical processes such as scarifying, diamond grinding, sand blasting, and ultra high-pressure (UHP) water blasting.
