Pulled up old tiles in Tauranga and found… a crime scene of glue, paint, and mystery goop? Don’t panic. We turn sticky, uneven slabs into smooth, bond-ready surfaces—so your new flooring doesn’t fail three months after the housewarming. In this guide, NZ Grinders, can explain how our dust-controlled prep grinding removes adhesives properly, hits the right profile, and sets up your epoxy, LVT, tile, timber, or polished concrete for long-term success.
Why Tauranga slabs need proper adhesive removal
Coastal living is brilliant—salt air, humidity, and sandy feet, not so much. Those factors work their way into slab pores and under old coatings. If you lay a new floor over poorly removed glue or paint, expect bubbles, tenting, or debonding. We grind, clean, and test so your finish sticks through summer barbecues and winter westerlies.
What’s actually on your concrete?
Not all residue is equal. We commonly see:
- Tile mastics & thinset ridges that block adhesion.
- Acrylic/epoxy paints hiding laitance and micro-cracks.
- Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) from old vinyl that smear when sanded.
- Moisture-transmission stains around kitchens, laundries, and sliders.
First, we identify the culprits. Then we match tooling and chemistry to remove them—without glazing the surface or driving contaminants deeper.
Our Tauranga prep-grind workflow (no dust storms)
- Site protection & dust control – We use high-CFM HEPA extraction and shrouded grinders. Doors, cabinets, and adjacent rooms get protected.
- Mechanical removal – Diamond grinding removes glue, paint, and weak laitance. For stubborn PSA, we combine scarifying passes or a solvent-free softening step, then grind clean.
- Edges, steps & tight spots – Hand grinders chase every corner so your installer isn’t fighting ridges.
- Crack & pinhole repairs – We route and fill, then re-grind flush to stop telegraphing.
- Moisture checks – Quick RH or impedance testing flags areas that need mitigation before coatings or timber.
- Surface profile (CSP) verification – We target the right texture for your next system—flatter for LVT/timber, more tooth for epoxy or overlays.
- Final vacuum & wipe-down – Bondable, clean, and ready for your installer.
CSP profiles made simple
- CSP 1–2: Smooth, ideal for vinyl planks, sheet vinyl, and timber adhesives.
- CSP 2–3: The “just right” sweet spot for many epoxies and urethanes.
- CSP 3–4: Heavier tooth for build coats, mortar repairs, or self-levellers.
We don’t guess—we measure and adjust. That way your manufacturer warranties stay happy.
When levelling beats more grinding
Grinding flattens and opens the slab; levelling corrects dips. In Tauranga’s older homes, we often blend a precise prep grind with self-levelling compound in low areas. The result? Faster installs and tighter plank/tile lines, minus lippage.
Renovation scenarios we fix all the time
- Kitchen/living refits: Remove smeary PSA, smooth to CSP 1–2, and spot-level thresholds.
- Retail & cafés: Weekend blitz—strip coatings, repair traffic lanes, and hand back ready for Monday fit-out.
- Garage conversions: Grind paint off, mitigate moisture, then profile for epoxy or carpet tiles.
- Bathrooms & laundries: Tight access, lots of edges—no problem, just extra care.
Clean site, happy neighbours
We run modern extractors and tidy as we go. No sticky footprints through the hallway. No dust drifting onto the neighbour’s car. Just a bare, bond-ready slab that makes your installer smile.
Why choose us for Tauranga prep grinding?
We’re NZ Grinders, and we take surface prep personally. Our team brings serious tooling, HEPA extraction, and the know-how to hit spec the first time. Because the best-looking floor starts with what you can’t see—the bond.
Ready to unstick your project?
Let’s turn that gummy slab into a clean slate.
Call NZ Grinders: Glen (North Island) 021434199 • Mike (South Island) 0272818815 • or email Ian (Sales Manager) via our contact page. We’ll assess, quote clearly, and lock in a programme that suits your timeline.