An expert guide from the team at Elyment Group. Tackling an old floor in Sydney or regional NSW often means facing a challenge: stubborn, caked-on adhesive. Whether it’s black mastic, carpet glue, or tough epoxy, getting it off cleanly without gouging the concrete slab is crucial for a successful new flooring installation. Are you using the right gear for the job? The key lies in selecting the perfect diamond cup wheel and matching its grit to the adhesive type. Let's grind through the details. Why the Right Diamond Cup Wheel Matters for NSW Floor Prep In the concrete grinding and floor preparation game, especially with premium projects across NSW, efficiency and surface integrity are paramount. The wrong cup wheel can clog instantly, overheat, or worse, damage the very concrete slab you need to prepare. This leads to costly delays and rework. Segmented vs. Continuous Rim: Which Grinding Disc Should You Choose? Your first big choice is the style of the diamond grinding cup: Segmented Cup Wheels: These feature distinct diamond segments separated by gaps. Continuous Rim Cup Wheels: These have a solid, unbroken diamond edge (often turbo-style). The Verdict for Adhesive Removal: For Thick, Gummy Adhesives (e.g., Black Mastic, Carpet Glue): Go Segmented. The large gaps between the segments allow for aggressive material removal and, critically, help prevent the sticky adhesive from building up and clogging the diamond. For Thin Residues or Hard Coatings (e.g., Thin-Set Mortar, Hard Epoxy): Use a Turbo Segmented or even a lighter Continuous Rim for a smoother, faster pass where less material is being removed, or a finer finish is desired after the bulk is gone. Pro Tip from Sydney Experts: Heat is the enemy of efficient adhesive removal. The segmented design helps dissipate heat, keeping the grinding action efficient. Matching Grit Size to Adhesive Type: The Key to Clean Slabs What grit size should you be using to remove old adhesive without damaging the slab? This is where many DIY attempts and less experienced operators go wrong. Grit Guide for Common Adhesives Grit size is inversely related to the diamond particle size: a lower number means a coarser, more aggressive cut. For black mastic and gummy glue, use a coarse 16/20 grit for aggressive removal with minimal heat build-up. For epoxy and hard coatings, a medium-coarse 25/30 grit offers balanced removal and speed. For thin-set residue, a medium 30/40 grit is ideal for cleaning and profiling the slab for new coatings. Starting with a coarse grit (16/20) for heavy removal is generally the way to go, as it cuts quickly and reduces the time the disc spends generating heat. Once the bulk of the adhesive is gone, you can switch to a finer grit (e.g., 30/40) to profile the slab for the new coating. For more detailed advice on your specific flooring project in NSW, don't hesitate to reach out to the pros at elyment.com.au. Key Takeaways for Efficient Floor Preparation Successfully removing old adhesive and preparing a flawless slab is all about choosing the right tools for the specific job: Sticky Mess? Use a Segmented cup wheel to prevent clogging. Heavy Removal? Start with a Coarse Grit (16/20) for speed and efficiency. Slab Protection: Avoid dwelling in one spot; keep the grinder moving to prevent "ghosting" or concrete damage. Dust Control: Always use a proper dust shroud and vacuum system—it’s non-negotiable for safety and cleanliness on site. Follow us on X for more expert tips: @ElymentGroup. Get Your Slab Sorted Now! /* Container */ .cta-container { text-align: center; margin: 30px 0; } /* CTA Button */ .cta-btn { background-color: #022b5f; /* Brand Blue */ color: #fff; border: none; padding: 12px 25px; border-radius: 5px; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 1.1em; font-family: 'Impact', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease; box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(2, 43, 95, 0.5); position: relative; } /* Hover + Focus */ .cta-btn:hover, .cta-btn:focus-visible { background-color: #16443e; /* Darker shade */ box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(22, 70, 138, 0.7); transform: translateY(-2px); /* Subtle lift */ outline: none; } /* Active state */ .cta-btn:active { transform: translateY(0); box-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(2, 43, 95, 0.6); } /* Reduced motion support */ @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) { .cta-btn { transition: none; transform: none; } } Source inspiration: General industry guidelines on concrete floor preparation