Applying An Epoxy Concrete Floor Coating? Preparation Fundamentals

If you've decided that the time is right to coat your concrete floors, you may have chosen epoxy as your concrete floor coating of choice. If you want your new epoxy floor coating to have the best chance of a long lifespan, preparation is essential. Understanding the steps required for preparing your concrete floors is important. Here's a look at some of the things that you need to consider before you apply an epoxy concrete floor coating.

Cleaning Basics

Before you apply your concrete floor coating, you'll have to make sure that the floor is clean. In fact, usually, you'll have to clean it twice along the way. You should clean it before you prepare the surface, and then again right before you apply the floor coating. That way, you eliminate any debris or particles that could interfere with preparing the floor for the coating, and then you remove any dust or debris that's generated by the preparation process itself.

Preparation Options

Your floor coating contractor will tell you that you have some options when it comes to preparing the floor. To begin with, you'll have to use an abrasive of some form to strip any sealant from the surface. If your floors don't absorb moisture when it drips on them, they have been sealed and you need to strip that sealant layer before you can apply an epoxy coating.

From there, you'll have the option to treat the floors with an acid etching product to help them bond with the floor coating or use a grinding machine to create the textured surface necessary for that bonding process. In either case, once you've applied the acid etching or used the grinding machine, you'll have to remove any excess dust or chemicals from the surface of the concrete before you can apply the floor coating.

Final Cleaning

The best way to be sure that your concrete floor is adequately cleaned after you prepare the surface is to actually wash it. Many people invest in a pressure washer for a low-pressure rinse process. Just make sure that you allow the floor to dry completely before you apply the floor coating to avoid trapping moisture in the concrete and risking the bond between the floor and the coating.

These are a few of the things you should understand about preparing your concrete floor for an epoxy floor coating. Talk with your local residential concrete coating contractor today for more recommendations.