Installing epoxy flooring seems so simple, like preparing the surface, priming the substrate (base), making the epoxy mixture, and laying it. However, many costly errors can occur when working with scattered spaces and different environments due to improper assessment and preparation.

The truth is that epoxy floors are a complex thing to do. Just like any science project, you need to pay attention to all variables such as temperature, humidity, components, time, materials, and equipment. If one is out of balance, the final product or the result may be damaged.

Fortunately, there are professionals who can repair your epoxy floors and make the proper installation without further problems in the future. Without experts, you might experience more damage and keep on repairing your floors, thus spending more money on it.

When you think you need epoxy floor repair, here are some of the errors you need to check to ensure that your industrial floor coating really needs repair from professionals.

Bubbling

Bubbling happens when air is trapped beneath the epoxy layer’s surface and is generally not the result of water damage, but rather environmental or substrate issues, especially during the drying or curing process.

For example, suppose a floor covering is applied on concrete on a sunny day, and sunlight shines directly on the coating as it dries. In that case, the top layers will dry faster than those closest to the substrate, resulting in bubbles when uneven temperatures are encountered. Also, if the coating is applied in a cold room, and the temperature changes, the trapped air will rise and cause a bubble.

Blistering

Blistering is osmotic – the bubbles are more likely to be caused by constant exposure to water or high humidity. The liquid building on the coating will try to evaporate, but moisture resistant epoxy prevents it from coming off and causes blisters.

Moreover, the source of moisture can be the concrete itself – water vapor can leak through porous concrete or as part of the curing process. Contamination from salts or water-soluble solvents, or variations in the coating surface temperature during application, also increases the risk of blisters.

Bad Bonding

The successful installation of the epoxy floor depends on a bond with the substrate below. If you notice cracks, discoloration, peels, paint, or overall dull results, it may be due to improper floor preparation.

How do we prevent problems?

The skills required to apply epoxy can set one contractor apart from another. However, the success of your investment in the long term really depends on the process. So what do experts do before installation to ensure the flooring will work?

Assess the Environment

Moisture and Temperature

Solvent-based epoxy products do not stick or bond to moisture, and applying an epoxy coating to the floor when it “sweat” is a pretty bad combination. Professional contractors first evaluate the entire project to ensure that it will be possible to create a completely dry environment for the application. Room temperature also affects humidity and can cause a variety of problems of its own.

Substrate

A good foundation for your floor is inspected in order to build a successful flooring. That is why you will see your trusted contractors strive to understand what is happening below. The wooden floor bends and flex, which can cause to break the epoxy.

Low-quality cement can trap or erode air over time, causing poor adhesion, blistering, or foaming. A thorough evaluation of the substrate layer will help you determine if epoxy is the right solution for your needs.

Preparing for Installation

Cleaning

If there is one important lesson to learn, it is cleaning. The chemical reaction required to make epoxy successful depends on the environment free from pollutants.

We recommend proper cleaning, blasting, and grinding to remove dust, oil, grease, salt, and more that may interact with your industrial floor. Proper care and maintenance result in a long-lasting floor. It is important to create a rough profile or open the concrete holes to ensure the floor system’s proper penetration and adhesion.

Priming

If you choose epoxy for your flooring system, then that means you need something that can withstand wear and tear and heavy traffic. The more you protect the substrate, the better you can get results. It is essential to have a proper understanding of industrial primers and how they interact with your specific epoxy.

Industrial primers should also be chosen based on the particular environment. Vapor pressure, humidity, temperature, hydrostatic pressure, and more can lead to different flare decisions and priming solutions.

Mixing

Epoxy coatings are formed when resins and hardened chemicals react with hard plastic material. We pay special attention to mixing, batch size, environmental conditions, and the proportions and equipment used to ensure that the mix does not go to waste.

Looking for professional contractors with years of experience in this field? Check out Superior Concrete Finishes today!

 

 

Louie is the father behind the travel blog Browseeverywhere.com. He has a background in photography, E-commerce, and writing product reviews online at ConsumerReviews24. Traveling full time with his family was his ultimate past-time. If he’s not typing at his laptop, you can probably find him watching movies.