Shotblasting is the process of blasting a concrete surface with steel shot (small steel balls) at a high velocity. This removes contamination and laitance (soft concrete) to reveal a mechanical profile for improved bonding. The concrete dust is recovered by a powerful dust collection system. Shotblasting can perform surface preparation tasks ranging from very light etching to more aggressive removal of surface mortar down to coarse aggregate. They also are a cost-effective method for removing dirt, grime and chemical contaminants from large areas and for prepping substrates for self-leveling or polymer overlays, epoxy toppings and most coatings. Another big advantage of shotblasting is that it produces very little airborne dust or debris, making the method a good choice for floors in sensitive areas, such as food preparation facilities or manufacturing plants.