Concrete Prep That Sets the Stage for Long-Lasting Floors

Concrete prep is the critical first step before installing any coating, overlay, or flooring system. At CustomCrete, we use professional grinding, shot blasting, glue removal, and coating removal to create a clean, properly profiled surface. Our prep work ensures strong adhesion, smooth installation, and better long-term performance—so your floor system works as hard as your facility does.

Request a Quote Find Your Ideal Flooring Solution

How We Prepare Concrete for New Flooring

Proper surface preparation is the foundation of a successful flooring system. At CustomCrete, we use a range of proven methods to ensure your concrete slab is clean, level, and ready for long-term performance.

Mechanical Grinding

We use industrial diamond grinders to remove surface contaminants, smooth imperfections, and create the correct concrete surface profile (CSP) for coating adhesion.

Shot Blasting

This high-impact method removes surface buildup and roughens the slab to create excellent bonding conditions—ideal for thicker systems and coatings.

Glue & Adhesive Removal

We remove carpet glue, VCT mastic, and other adhesive residues that can interfere with bonding or cause delamination in new flooring systems.

Coating & Paint Removal

Old epoxy, paint, or sealers are stripped back to bare concrete to ensure your new system adheres without interference from previous layers.

High-Pressure Cleaning

When appropriate, we use pressure washing or vacuum-assisted scrubbers to remove dust, debris, or chemical residue from the slab surface.

Edge & Detail Grinding

Our equipment allows us to prep around edges, walls, columns, and tight spaces—ensuring full coverage, not just open areas.

View Pricing Options

Why Concrete Prep Can’t Be Skipped

Skipping or rushing concrete preparation is one of the most common reasons floor systems fail. Without proper prep, even the best coating or overlay won’t perform the way it should—costing you time, money, and long-term durability.

Poor Adhesion: Coatings and overlays won’t bond to dusty, dirty, or smooth surfaces—leading to bubbling, peeling, or delamination.
Uneven Installation: Without leveling or repair, surface imperfections can show through and compromise the look and function of your finished floor.
Costly Redos: Flooring systems installed over unprepped concrete often require removal and replacement far sooner than expected.

What Happens When You Start with the Right Surface

When concrete is properly prepped, everything that comes after performs better.

CustomCrete’s concrete prep services ensure your slab is clean, level, and ready—so your flooring system installs smoothly, bonds properly, and lasts longer.

Request a Quote

Creates a Reliable Surface for New Flooring

Professional prep ensures the concrete is properly profiled and contaminant-free—critical for successful coating adhesion.

Supports a Wide Range of Systems

From epoxy to urethane to moisture barriers, proper prep is essential for compatibility with any high-performance flooring solution.

Eliminates Hidden Installation Risks

By removing old glue, coatings, and surface imperfections, we reduce the chance of failure, delamination, or bubbling down the line.

Applicable Industries to Concrete Prep

Concrete prep is a foundational step across nearly every industry that relies on high-performance floors. Whether you're installing coatings, overlays, or moisture mitigation systems, proper surface prep ensures that your investment performs under pressure and holds up to daily use.

Manufacturing Facilities

Prepares concrete to receive durable coatings that can handle impact, traffic, and exposure to chemicals.

Warehousing & Logistics

Ensures floor coatings and markings bond properly—critical in high-traffic environments with forklifts and heavy loads.

Food & Beverage Processing

Creates a clean, profiled surface ready for seamless, sanitary flooring systems in washdown zones and production areas.

Healthcare & Medical

Preps floors for systems that meet hygiene, safety, and aesthetic standards in patient and lab spaces.

Commercial Kitchens

Removes grease, adhesives, and coatings so urethane cement or non-slip finishes bond securely and last longer.

Retail & Office Spaces

Levels and smooths surfaces for decorative finishes like polished concrete or high-gloss sealers in visible areas.

Automotive Shops & Dealerships

Prepares floors to withstand oil, chemicals, and tire traffic—ensuring coatings last in high-performance vehicle service areas.

Aviation & Aerospace

Delivers the precision surface prep needed for heavy-duty hangar coatings and traffic markings to perform properly.

Veterinary & Animal Care Facilities

Removes contaminants and levels surfaces to ensure durable, cleanable flooring that supports animal safety and infection control.

View All Industries

Hear from past clients

"Used CustomCrete for a urethane cement flooring application (Carbocrete HF) in a harsh manufacturing setting where all prior epoxy/concrete flooring either popped off due to heat/moisture or was eaten through by our corrosive product.

The team was easy to work with and very responsive to changes in scope as well as working around other vendors during a plant turnaround."

-Jack Barkow

"We had a floor that had been painted several times and looked very abused. It was becoming difficult to keep clean and looking nice. Tom came in, pulled up all the paint, and brought the floor back to its original state. It now shines and is easy to maintain."

-James Petryka

"CustomCrete and their crew did a fantastic installation on my floor project. Any questions or concerns that I had were addressed by Tom himself. Very happy with the service they had provided to me."

-Jonathan Wirtz

The 3-Step Plan

Ready to Get Started? Here’s How We Make It Easy for You

Follow these three steps for a beautiful new concrete floor coating.

Request a Quote

Request a quote and learn how much your project might cost.

Get a Custom Plan & Installation

Speak to a concrete coating expert and get your project done right.

Get Back to Business

Get back to business with safe quality floors.

Request a Quote

PreHeader

Lead Generating Asset Value Proposition

This section appeals to users in the awareness stage of the buyer’s journey. The preheader notes what type of offer it is (ebook, guide, etc.) Include a brief description of the asset and the value that the user will gain once it has been downloaded. You can also include a picture of the cover of the asset to promote engagement and interest.

FAQS

Common Questions About Concrete Prep

Proper surface preparation is one of the most important steps in any flooring project—and one of the most asked about. Here are a few common questions we hear from facility managers, contractors, and project planners.

What happens if I skip concrete prep before installing new flooring?

Do you offer both grinding and shot blasting? How do I know which I need?

Can you remove glue or coatings during prep?

Learning Center

Get Smarter About Surface Prep Before Installing Your Floor

Concrete prep is often overlooked—but it’s the most important step in any flooring project. In this section, explore recent articles that break down grinding vs. shot blasting, glue removal best practices, and how surface profile affects floor performance. These resources help you make confident, informed decisions before the first coating ever goes down.

How Much Does It Cost To Prep Concrete?

Understand the factors that influence the cost of concrete grinding, leveling, shot blasting, and more.

What is Concrete Surface Profile (CSP)?

Find out why choosing the right Concrete Surface Profile (CSP) is crucial for durability and appearance and how it affects floor coatings.

What to Do for Peeling Commercial Floors

Explore causes, repair solutions, and preventive measures to restore and maintain your floors.

View Learning Center

Request a Quote

Start Your Project Right with Expert Concrete Prep

Don’t let poor prep compromise your flooring investment. CustomCrete’s concrete prep services—including grinding, shot blasting, glue removal, and more—set the foundation for a floor that performs and lasts.

Filling out the form on this page is the first step to getting the information you need from CustomCrete to assist in your decision-making process.

When you request a quote, one of our concrete service experts will reach out to you within one business day to assess your needs and schedule a site visit for consultation. From there, typically within one day, you can expect a personalized quote tailored to your location and project scope.