The Critical Nature of Surface Preparation

When using an resinous flooring system – such as an epoxy flooring system – it is vitally important to follow each step for proper surface preparation. T.W. Hicks has seen it time and time again: a subfloor that is not up-to-par will ultimately affect the strength of the epoxy floor, leading to cracks, damage, and wear long before it’s time.

 

So how should you go about preparing your surface for epoxy flooring? Here are a few steps that are vital to the process:

 

·      Concrete Prep: Don’t just lay a concrete slab and expect it to be good enough. A trusted flooring company will know how to create sub-floor that will complement an epoxy floor covering. If using slab-on-grade or on the ground, you will need a proper moisture vapor barrier and possibly a puncture proof barrier. Always properly joint to reduce the risk of cracks.

·      Concrete Curing: If you use a concrete curing agent, be sure to remove it prior to applying the Texas epoxy flooring. We recommend a wet cure and light steel trowel finish.

·      Aged Concrete is a Must: Give the concrete subfloor at least 30 days to cure before applying the epoxy flooring system. There are some topical applications that can speed the curing process, but aging the old fashioned way is always best.

·      Remove Contaminates: It is vitally important to remove any contaminates from the concrete floor before applying the epoxy flooring system. Burn off oils, fats, and grease, or use a degreaser. Shot-blasting and scarifying are necessary to remove curing compounds or sealers that might be left on the floor.

If any of these steps are not met, you may end up with damages to your epoxy flooring. In fact, Coatings Pro Magazine recently did a great article that explains this very concept in detail.

 

Ready to install an epoxy flooring system in Texas? Give T.W. Hicks a call today! 

TW HicksTips