How Epoxy Floor Coatings Are Installed
There are many factors to consider when deciding on installing an epoxy floor finish. The first thing you have to do is ask yourself a few questions.
What do I need the floor coating for?
Are there places where my employees or customers might be likely to fall and get hurt?
Will the finished product have enough traction so that slipping won't be a problem?
How much money am I willing to spend on this project?
Once you've decided that epoxies will give you what you need, it's time to begin the actual installation process. This article gives a brief overview of the steps involved in the process. Keep in mind that there may be small variations depending on your specific needs and location; however, most installations will require these steps.
Preparing the Floor
Before you can begin putting down the epoxy or any other material, you have to make sure that the floor is clean and free of debris. Sweep it thoroughly with a broom, then mop it well with an alkaline cleaner recommended for use on floors. Make sure you are satisfied that all dirt, dust, waxes, oils or other contaminants have been removed before continuing. The floor will need to be completely dry before applying epoxy coatings. If there is any moisture at all present after you attempt to clean the floor, drying may take several days. Once it's dry, cover all areas where traffic will not be going so they won't become while waiting for your project to be completed.
Putting Down the Epoxy Floor Finish
Once you have a thoroughly dry floor, begin by laying down a base coat of epoxy. It should be about ½ to 1 inch in thickness and will need to be rolled on with a long-handled roller to ensure that it's completely coated. You might want to consider wearing a respirator while rolling out the base coat in a well-ventilated area because the odors can sometimes become rather strong. Follow all safety precautions when working around chemicals or fumes, especially if you're going indoors for this part of the process where proper ventilation isn't possible. If your epoxy manufacturer recommends exposing people to fewer fumes, follow their instructions exactly when using solvent-based coatings for this step.
After the epoxy has dried thoroughly, you can move on to applying the color coats. These thin layers should be about ¼-inch in thickness and will need to be sprayed onto the surface evenly. Again, proper ventilation is necessary if solvent-based coatings are used because of their strong odor. They should be applied in several thin coats rather than one or two thick ones that might end up becoming obvious when they dry. The last step before your floor coating is completely done is applying a thin layer of epoxy over the entire surface with a long-handled roller. This will make sure everything looks even and smooth without any gaps or bubbles anywhere it shouldn't be.
Sealing the Surface
Once all of these steps have been completed, you will need to seal the surface with an alkali-resistant material. Your epoxy flooring manufacturer can help you pick out the best one for your specific needs. It should also be applied by spraying onto the floor and then worked into the coating with a long-handled roller. After it's done, let it sit for several hours so it has enough time to dry completely before using the area again.
Epoxy coatings are great flooring options for many different situations, even if you already have another type of floor covering in place. Before making any decisions about doing this yourself or hiring someone else to do it for you, check with your local contractor who specializes in these types of projects to see what they recommend that is appropriate for your flooring needs. If they like the idea of using epoxy coatings in your building or home, give them a call to get an estimate for their services.