Avoid These Common Mistakes When Choosing And Installing An Epoxy Coating System
Are you considering enhancing the beauty and durability of your floors with an epoxy coating system? It’s a fantastic choice! Epoxy coatings offer a wide range of benefits, from providing a seamless and glossy finish to protecting your floors from stains, chemicals, and wear and tear. However, choosing and installing the right epoxy coating system is crucial for achieving the best results. In this blog, we’ll discuss the most common mistakes people make when selecting and installing epoxy coatings. By understanding these pitfalls, you can make informed decisions and ensure a successful flooring project. So, let’s dive in and explore how you can avoid these errors to create extraordinary floors.
1. Choosing the Wrong Application for Your Environment
When it comes to epoxy coatings, brands and systems vary, just like car companies and their models. It’s essential to choose the right system that suits your specific environment and requirements. Consider factors such as the presence of a vapor barrier, the likelihood of floor exposure to moisture or grease, the expected traffic volume (light foot traffic or heavy machinery), and the types of abuse the floor will endure. Assessing these aspects will guide you in selecting the most suitable resinous flooring system for your needs.
2. Improper Preparation
Proper preparation of the substrate is key to the success of your epoxy coating system. Different coatings require specific surface profiles to ensure optimal adhesion. Various techniques, including floor scrubbing, sanding, pressure washing, floor grinding, scarification, sandblasting, and shot blasting, can be employed depending on the project’s scale and requirements. Regardless of the method, it’s crucial to perform a simple water absorption test to determine if the surface is adequately prepared. If water doesn’t absorb into the slab within two minutes, further aggressive preparation is necessary.
3. Not Installing a Moisture Mitigating Primer
Depending on the application and the characteristics of the slab, most epoxy systems require a primer or a moisture-mitigating primer/vapor barrier. The primer serves two purposes: facilitating adhesion of the subsequent coating layer and sealing the pores in the slab to prevent outgassing. Additionally, a moisture-mitigating primer or coat helps prevent the delamination or bubbling of the coating caused by moisture vapor pressure. Standard epoxy coatings can generally withstand up to 3 pounds of moisture vapor pressure before exhibiting these issues. It’s important to be aware of breathable systems and the need for a moisture-mitigating primer/vapor barrier in most cases.
4. Choosing the Wrong Topcoat
An epoxy coating system is a multi-layered system, and the topcoat is the final layer responsible for withstanding abuse and maintaining the coating’s longevity. The choice of topcoat depends on the environmental conditions, desired durability, slip resistance, and aesthetic preferences. For example, while epoxy itself is not scratch-resistant, a urethane topcoat can provide enhanced toughness and scratch resistance. Urethane topcoats are also UV stable, protecting the coating from discoloration caused by sunlight. Additionally, slip-resistant additives can be incorporated to improve durability and safety.
5. Choosing the Wrong Type of Application or System
Choosing the right type of application or system is crucial to ensure the best performance and safety of your epoxy coating. Consider the working environment and strike a balance between a smooth, easy-to-clean surface and adequate slip resistance. The incorporation of the right size aggregates in your system can help achieve this balance, allowing for efficient cleaning and maintaining a safe working environment.
6. Choosing the Wrong Applicator
Selecting the right applicator is as important as choosing the right epoxy coating system. Hiring a reputable and experienced flooring contractor greatly increases the chances of a successful flooring project. Look for contractors who have a proven track record, positive reviews, and satisfied clients. Consider factors such as the contractor’s ability to handle specific conditions, project downtime requirements, available manpower, experience, and the equipment they possess. Remember, it’s better to invest in a quality application upfront than face potential issues and additional costs down the line.
Choosing and installing an epoxy coating system requires careful consideration and attention to detail. By avoiding the common mistakes outlined in this blog, you can ensure a successful flooring project that exceeds your expectations. At Extraordinary Flooring LLC, we specialize in providing extraordinary flooring solutions, including epoxy floor coatings, concrete polishing, decorative concrete, sealants, terrazzo flooring and refurbishment, concrete restoration, and concrete surface preparation and repair. Our experienced team is equipped with the expertise, manpower, and top-notch equipment needed to deliver exceptional results for your flooring needs. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation, and let us design an extraordinary flooring application that meets and exceeds all your facility’s requirements. Remember, you have a choice—make it extraordinary!
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