From vehicles constantly going in and coming out and all kinds of leaks and spills to dropped objects and a few rats and mice, the garage floor has to withstand a lot on a day-to-day basis. Plus, the changing weather conditions take a toll on the garage floors. Considering all the different kinds of wear and tear that the floors have to go through, you will have the need to give the floors a makeover or reinstall an ideal flooring altogether such as epoxy coating. There are several good reasons why you should cover your garage floor with epoxy. What is of utmost importance is that you should follow all the essential steps of epoxy coating installation and follow all the instructions for a smooth, nice, and properly sealed garage floor.
In this article, we will talk about how to epoxy-cover a garage floor so that your garage floors come alive beautifully as well as last for a long time. Keep on reading to find out more about epoxy coating installation.
Advantages: Why Put Epoxy on the Garage Floor
Epoxy floors offer a host of benefits, regardless of where you plan to install them. For commercial floors, in particular, epoxy coatings are quite an ideal option. This is due to the advantages the product has to offer.
Fast Application
Installation of an epoxy floor is quite fast. In a few hours, you will have the entire procedure completed. It is just that the material needs some time to dry and cure in a proper manner.
Easy to Maintain
When it comes to garage flooring, you will never want to install a product that requires a lot of maintenance on a regular basis. Since epoxy requires only little maintenance, it is a perfect fit for installation in garages. With simple cleaning and maintenance, epoxy floors will continue to look good for a long time and benefit safety and hygiene as a result.
Attractive
The best thing about epoxy floors is how attractive it looks after it has been installed in a proper manner. In fact, these floors can have one of the most decorative looks. No matter what colors or designs you look for, you will always find exactly what you are looking for. A professional installer or flooring contractor will create a unique and attractive look with epoxy.
For unique colors and designs, you should seek the expert advice of a professional such as those from Minuteman Floors, which provides premium quality epoxy products and their installation in Manchester, NH.
Resistant to Chemicals
In a commercial space such as a garage, leaks and spills are very common. That is exactly why you need to install a flooring material that is resistant to chemicals. One of the key features of epoxy floors is that they are highly resistant to a wide range of chemicals. If you worry about chemical spills on the floor, you should definitely go for epoxy coating.
Highly Durable
Epoxy floors are suitable for garages as well as a number of other commercial establishments. This is because they can withstand wear and tear done by heavy mechanical loads. Whether it is a garage, warehouse, or workshop, epoxy-coated floors are an ideal option.
If you want more details on the features and advantages of epoxy floors, do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our product specialists at Minuteman Floors in Manchester, New Hampshire. Our professionals will educate you on all the pros and cons of epoxy coating products.
Application of Epoxy to a Garage Floor
The process of epoxy-cover a garage floor comprises many steps. Each step of the process should be followed in a proper manner in order for the application of epoxy to be correct and accurate. If the application is done right the first time, you will not have to worry about redoing it in the future. Given below are some of the most essential steps that epoxy application involves.
Remove Everything from the Floor
The garage floor should be cleared. Make sure there is not a single piece of stuff on the floor for the process to start.
Get Rid of Moisture Problem
The concrete floor where the epoxy coating will be applied should be free from any kind of moisture problem. It is this problem that often leads to poor-quality epoxy installation. The presence of moisture makes it hard for the epoxy to properly adhere to the concrete floor, ruining the quality of the installation.
Professional installers and flooring contractors will devote adequate time to finding out moisture problems and getting rid of the same. To detect the signs of moisture, a technician will use plastic sheets to cover the floor while securing it with duct tape. After a couple of hours, the technician will check out the plastic to find out if the concrete floor has any moisture issues. If there is a problem, a specialist will review the situation and resolve the problem first.
If no moisture problem is found, the next step of the procedure can begin without any delay. The surface needs to be completely dry for the epoxy installation to begin and complete in a successful manner.
Vacuum the Garage Floor
The floor should have no dust particles or dirt on it. So, it is important to clean up the entire floor using a shop vacuum.
Degrease the Garage Floor
For the installation to be successful, the epoxy should adhere to the concrete floor in a correct manner. If the floor contains grease or oil residue, epoxy will not stick to the floor as it should. That is exactly why degreasing is a crucial step of the epoxy coating application process.
An experienced technician will abide by the degreaser formula correctly and make sure not a single spot on the floor is missed out. Instead of looking for spots with grease and oil residue, it is best to degrease the entire floor. This will eliminate the chances of missing a few spots here and there. It is also a good idea to sweep or vacuum the garage floor one last time before applying epoxy so that there is no dirt or debris left in any area of the concrete floor.
Etch the Surface
The application of an etching solution is a crucial step. Etching refers to the use of acid to get rid of the top coating of the floor.
The technician will wear hand gloves to apply acid in a safe manner. In most cases, the epoxy kit already contains an etching solution. For etching concrete in a proper way, all the instructions should be followed. So, the technician will apply the etching solution all across the floor. After around 30 minutes, the technician will again wash off the solution. Again, the garage floor needs to be completely dry before epoxy coating can be finally applied and installed. So, it is advisable to give the floor enough hours so that it can completely dry.
Repair the Cracks
Some patchwork may be required before the application of epoxy. Examine the floor and see if you can find any cracks or gaps. Use the concrete patch kit to fill and level it for a smooth finish.
Mix the Epoxy Solution
To mix and use the solution, a bucket with a big mouth will be required. Usually, an epoxy kit consists of a) resin and b) hardener. So, you should mix the two as per the instructions as well as use the solution before it becomes unusable. The epoxy solution will become hard and unusable in a few hours. Make sure you mix and prepare the solution in smaller parts to avoid wastage.
Apply the Epoxy
Finally, it is time to lay down epoxy on the garage floor. For a more attractive look, you may also want to add color flakes to the epoxy coating. While epoxy-covering the garage floor, you will need to strictly follow all the product usage instructions. With an experienced technician by your side, you will ensure the application of the epoxy coating is carried out in a correct manner. If you plan to apply a new coat, you should wait and give the first coat enough time to sit.
A professional will plan ahead and then apply the epoxy on the floor so that stepping on fresh paint can be avoided.
Talk to an Epoxy Installation Specialist
Whether it is a garage, warehouse, or workshop, the installation of an epoxy coating over concrete floors will deliver high performance and last for years in a row. These floors can easily withstand heavy loads. If you have a question or plan to cover your garage floor with epoxy coating, reach out to Minuteman Floors, one of the most trusted and experienced flooring contractors in Manchester, NH. We deal in premium quality epoxy products and specialize in the installation of epoxy coatings in a wide range of industrial and commercial settings.
For your free consultation and quote, you can call our office phone number or write us an email using the contact form.