Preparing your site or home for our services.
Power Requierments
Professional floor-sanding equipment requires substantial power.
We require 20-amp circuit breakers with the power connected to GPOs on new sites for Floor Sanding & Concrete Grinding. We usually require two power circuits to run machinery.
Floor sanding machinery can run a maximum of 20 lm from the power source. We recommend that power be connected to the site and GPOs be in service where floor sanding is to be performed.
Dragging power from a site pole through multiple leads is not possible due to current OH&S requirements and the extreme risk of fire and electrocution from damage to machinery and leads.
Generators – when hiring, we require a generator capable of a 30-amp continuous supply. With a suitable power board with circuit breakers installed and a cable long enough to reach from the generator to the site.
Site Preparations
It is the responsibility of Owners & Builders to ensure new & old sites are completed to a lock-up state. Ensuring we have an “in-service environment” and air-tight areas to coat in. It is not possible to apply a coating and get a good finish without windows and doors. All efforts should be made to prevent drafts, and manholes should be installed in ceilings; ducted air-conditioning vents and service vents should be installed. Any area where a draft or breeze could enter should be sealed.
We recommend that sites, new & old, have window sills and other surfaces dusted & floors swept clean to remove as much dust as possible.
Site Access
Due to the large dimensions and weight of Floor sanding machines, we require parking as close as possible to the work area. In unit blocks and townhouses, the body corporate should be advised, and a position at the unit or lift should be made available. Access through the site will need to be uncluttered and free from obstacles.
Units, townhouses & high density homes.
Owners, please ensure that the Fire Alarms in your unit are isolated, Curtains to protect the lift are hung, and any security monitoring services are notified of our works and that the body corporate requirements are fulfilled. It is also helpful if the neighbours are made aware of exactly what we are doing and given a chance to find something to do while we are completing work.
How much dust will there be
Flooring removals and preparations will create the largest amount of dust contamination in your home or site of all our services. Floor installations require the use of many different power tools & sanding equipment also creates dust. The amount will vary depending on the area, timber and surface being prepared. Floor coatings will emit strong to overwhelming vapours that can contaminate food and liquids, depending on the selected coating; this will vary. We strongly recommend that the immediate and surrounding areas be thoroughly prepared and food items & animals removed.
To help minimise dust, we purchased floor-sanding and installation equipment with a focus on dust-extraction capabilities and improved finish quality. This has resulted in most of our equipment being from Germany and, where applicable, running HEPA Filters through large separators. Although this equipment is highly efficient compared to other available options, some dust will still be present.
We recommend applying the following precautions, which are appropriate for the work being completed.
Tools, products and how to prepare your home
Small step ladder, Scissors, utility knife, a roll of 25 mm 50 mm low tack tape, large plastic garbage bags & enough light plastic drop sheets to cover desired areas or items, old bed sheets and tarps.
Remember to leave enough clear access for heavy machinery and product. Sanding & floor laying equipment is large, heavy and awkward it is not possible to pass over furniture or items in the way. Access to a toilet is also appreciated.
- Kitchen cupboards & other permanent cabinetry can be sealed with low-tack tape, usually Blue or green. We recommend using a 50 mm & 25 mm roll for the process. Start at the bottom and run a horizontal seam of tape along the length of the cabinets, then repeat along all horizontal gaps, including the top of the cabinets. Then cover the vertical gaps of the doors & drawers with tape. We recommend leaving the roll of tape on the bench, as we sometimes need to open low cabinets to get right up to an edge.
- Remove cars, boats, and any other items from beneath areas being prepared for floor coatings unless a complete and proper ceiling is installed to prevent coating drips from damaging possessions below. Alternatively, cover with a heavy tarp.
- Remove Curtains if possible and lay them flat in another room, or, using a coat hanger, fold the curtain through the coat hanger and pull a plastic bag over the curtain, sealing the top with tape. Then hang the bagged Curtain from the curtain rod.
- Light Fittings should be removed where possible to reduce dust accumulation and the risk of vibration-induced breakage. We do not recommend covering the lights with plastic or paper due to the fire risk if they are turned on. It is common for fittings directly below areas being worked on to fall.
- Back up all computers & devices in case of power loss.
- Remove all open food items.
- Check that all appliances are turned off at the wall and/or disconnected. Close and lock all windows, doors & cupboards in the bedroom, then place old bed sheets or plastic drop sheets over any item that may be affected by dust. Place a rolled-up towel behind the door as it is being closed, then seam-tape the perimeter of the door. Sometimes we will need to open the door briefly to sand the edges and corners. This is why we recommend covering items in the room.
- Remove all furniture & fittings and store away from possible dust contamination.
- Surrounding open rooms that can’t be isolated from dust contamination should either be emptied or have all items covered. It is very important to turn off and disconnect all electrical equipment in these areas to prevent dust contamination.