Surface Prep
A properly ground slab gives epoxy a mechanical grip, so the coating bonds and stays bonded for years.
What Goes Wrong
Using a coarse wheel on a softer slab, or skipping grit progression, leaves visible grind marks that telegraph through the finished coating.
The installer selects the diamond cup wheel grit to match slab hardness, targeting a CSP 2-3 profile, consistent across the whole floor.
A walk-behind grinder cannot reach perimeter zones, so skipping edge work leaves a smooth border where epoxy lifts first.
A handheld edge grinder works the perimeter and corners after the main passes, so the surface profile is uniform right to the wall.
Grinding over mastic, grease, or old paint smears residue into the slab pores instead of removing it, blocking adhesion at the source.
Contamination is stripped from the slab before the grinder runs, so the diamond wheel cuts bare concrete and opens clean pores for epoxy.
Concrete dust settling back onto a freshly ground surface acts as a bond-breaker, epoxy grips the dust layer, not the slab itself.
A dust shroud fitted to the grinder feeds directly into a HEPA vacuum, capturing particles at the source so the slab stays clean throughout.
Surface Prep First
A smooth or contaminated slab gives epoxy nothing to grip, mechanical grinding fixes that before a drop of resin is mixed.
Hard-troweled slabs common in Marietta garages and basements are too dense for epoxy to penetrate without mechanical profiling. Older properties may also have mastic, paint, or grease residue sitting on the surface. The installer removes that contamination first, then moves to grinding so the diamond cup wheel is working on bare concrete, not a sealed or oily surface.
A walk-behind grinder makes overlapping passes across the full slab to produce a consistent concrete surface profile, typically CSP 2 to CSP 3 for standard epoxy systems. Consistent texture matters because thin or skipped passes leave low spots where the coating can lift. A handheld edge grinder covers the perimeter and corners the walk-behind cannot reach.
Dust control runs throughout: a dust shroud fitted to the grinder feeds into a HEPA vacuum, keeping airborne particles out of the workspace. Once grinding is complete, the installer performs a surface profile check before any primer or coating is applied. A moisture test at this stage confirms the slab is ready to accept the next layer.
Why Choose Us
Every job comes with a written prep checklist, an itemized estimate, and a documented handover, so nothing is left to guesswork.
You receive an itemized quote listing materials, layer thickness, and cure times before anything is scheduled.
Every estimate includes a checklist confirming grinding, degreasing, and crack repair are completed before coating begins.
A curing inspection is carried out at the end, and the results are handed over in writing so you have a record of the finished work.
We connect you with vetted independent local partners who work Marietta slabs regularly and carry the right equipment for the job.
The Process
01
Tell us the floor area, slab condition, and any known contamination so we can match you with the right local installer.
02
The installer assesses the slab and provides an itemized quote covering prep steps, materials, and cure times before work begins.
03
The installer grinds, degreases, and profiles the slab, then completes a surface check and delivers a documented handover on completion.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Light grind for coating prep | $1-$3 per sq ft |
| Standard concrete grinding | $2-$5 per sq ft |
| Heavy grinding for uneven slab | $4-$8 per sq ft |
Tell us about the slab and we’ll arrange a local installer to assess it and quote materials, layer thickness, and cure times in writing.