The arrangement of the floor should be carried out very efficiently and responsibly. Only in this case you can achieve an ideal floor surface that will last a long time. During repair or construction, various tools are used to process the concrete screed, including the trowel.
Device device
The presented product has the following basic elements:
- Trowel blades. These components are most often made from very durable stainless steel and are rectangular in shape. The edges of the blades are usually bent up. If these elements are combined, then the edges can be bent under a different radius. In order for the blade to be fixed on the machine, there are special fasteners on it. The number of these items depends on the type of device. For example, if the machine is single-rotary trowel, then there may be 4, if 2-rotor, then 8. To protect against the harmful effects of external factors, the blades are treated with special grease.
- Grout disc. Thanks to metal fastenings, it can be quickly and reliably fixed on the blades. In two-rotor devices, it can be reversed. The trowel disk has a thickness of 2 to 3 mm.
What is the apparatus for?
If you want to make a really high-quality floor, the trowel should be used without fail. It is used for concrete treatment, semi-dry screed, garzovka.
This procedure is necessary to strengthen the leveling layer. The fact is that after pouring concrete on its surface, a liquid appears - “milk”. It can provoke delamination of concrete. Therefore, in order to avoid such a situation, it is better to process the screed in time. For this, a trowel is used.
Operating principle
The trowel works very simply. The grinding disk and the blades with frequent revolutions (the user sets the speed of rotation of the element and presses on it from above) rubbing the material of the upper layer of the screed into its "body". In order to increase work efficiency, you can change the angle of inclination of the blades.
The machine is able to eliminate even the biggest irregularities. This unit will help you make a perfectly flat foundation. The disk polishes the surface, and its blades smooth it.
Types of cars
Concrete trowels can be classified as follows:
- Gasoline. The advantage of this option is that the device is able to work autonomously. This means that it can be used in open space, without reference to the electrical network. Indoor use of this model is not recommended - exhaust fumes can lead to poisoning.
- Electric trowel. It connects to a standard power supply. It is just used indoors. The device is intended for a small amount of work.
You can classify this equipment according to the features of use:
- Parietal. Such equipment has small dimensions and is used in cases where the use of a standard machine is difficult (corners are processed, the place at the baseboards, doorways).
- Single rotor. This type of product is the most common.
- Two-rotary trowel. This unit has the maximum possible size, so in an ordinary apartment it will be extremely inconvenient. Most often, the device finds its application in large-scale constructions or in the repair of huge premises.
Features of device selection
If you need a concrete trowel, you can purchase it at a hardware store. However, to select the correct option, it is necessary to take into account some parameters of the device:
- The frequency of use of the device. If you do not make apartment repairs, then there is no point in buying this equipment. Nowadays, you can just rent it.
- The size of the cultivated area. The choice of type of machine depends on this. If you have a huge area, then a single-rotor device is unlikely to cope with the work.
- The complexity and features of the layout of the room. In addition to the standard device, you will also need a wall-mounted version, as in any room there are corners and doorways.
- Engine power. For small and infrequent work, you can purchase a low-power machine.
- Type of energy carrier. The electric version is suitable for enclosed spaces, and the gasoline can be used for processing outdoor areas.
- The width of the strip. Here, the choice, again, depends on the size of the room.
In addition, you have the option of using additional larger nozzles. Although a two-rotor trowel will save you from having to do this.
Popular manufacturers and cost of the device
If you decide to purchase the presented device, then it is important to find out who makes such equipment. On the market now you can find many Chinese models that are relatively low cost. However, not all users respond positively to them. The cost of such a product starts at 25,000 rubles. However, it should be borne in mind that after several uses it can break.
The most popular and high-quality equipment is considered American. Here the choice is quite large: Whiteman, Bartell, Boren, Allen. The products of these manufacturers have long been a leader in the world.
Demanded and high-quality equipment is the company Kreber. Here you can choose and kromrochik, and one- or two-rotor apparatus. Coopter is also no less popular, as it produces universal devices.
If you need a trowel for a screed, its price ranges from 25-250 thousand rubles. However, it is necessary to choose a device at a cost taking into account all the above parameters. You may not need an expensive device at all.
How is grouting done?
This work needs to be approached responsibly. It is carried out in 2 stages:
- The first should be carried out no earlier than 4-20 hours after pouring the screed. It is possible to carry out the procedure if the person’s leg is only 2-3 mm thick in concrete. This is a rough grout base.
- Finishing surface treatment. It is carried out after the screed darkens, stops dirtying hands and squeezing. Using a machine, a special dedusting agent can be rubbed into the concrete layer. It additionally strengthens the surface of the screed and prevents the occurrence of chips (cracks).
If during operation you will use additional substances for hardening concrete, then grouting should be done immediately after the surface of the layer absorbs moisture. The composition should be distributed evenly over the entire area of the room. Initially rubbed 2/3 of the total mass of the composition. After a while, the rest is rubbed.
Safety precautions
If you follow the simple rules for handling the device, you can protect yourself not only from injuries, but also from premature equipment failure. During operation, you should be as careful as possible. A person must wear protective clothing, gloves and glasses.
There should not be extra things on the desktop. It is forbidden to work on the machine to those people who have not undergone safety training or are not able to use the equipment. The device must be fully configured and serviceable. This should be checked before work. That's all. Good luck