Preparing the surface

Step 1. Prepare the surface. Preparation of the substrate (video) is necessary in order to ensure adhesion between the epoxy product and the substrate. Suitable methods are sanding or diamond-grinding. Any surfaces that have been contaminated with oils may also require chemical cleaning.

Prepare the surface with a suitable floor grinder

Step 2. Sweeping and cleaning of the floor. Use an industrial vacuum that picks up even small dust particles. The floor must be cleaned of all dusts and residues before starting to prime. Otherwise you will have various particles trapped within the coat and adhesion will be significantly weakened. The less micro-dust on the surface the less primer you will need.

Vacuuming dust from epoxy floor

Priming and Filling

Step 3. Prime the floor with a suitable epoxy primer. Always prime the floor, don’t believe claims that priming is not necessary. Priming will give your floor a longer life and better adhesion to the substrate. Furthermore it will seal the substrate thus eliminating the risks of bubbles and gasses. Priming also helps reduce the amount of product that will be required in the later stages. Ensure that the areas are ventilated properly. It is common to coat two layers of primer in order to properly seal the floor. Use a proper electrical mixer to mix the A and B component of the primer.

Priming the surface with epoxy primer

Step 4. Fill all cracks, holes etc with epoxy grout. (This step can also take place before priming if you prefer) For thin cracks it may be necessary to slice them with a diamond cutter before filling in order to improve the anchoring of the grout.

Filling cracks with epoxy grout

Applying the epoxy floor coating

Step 5. Application of the first coat of epoxy paint. Empty all the contents of the hardener in the component A. Use an electrical mixer and mix at least for two minutes. Don’t skimp on the mixing! This step is very important. Poor mixing will lead to a tacky floor!

Proper mixing of the two epoxy paint components is very important

Step 6. Apply the product with a roller. Use a good quality roller, as poor quality rollers may start to shed. You should be able to re-coat after 24 hours. The next day you may notice various problems that have appeared such as cracks, holes etc. Make sure that these are sealed-filled before starting the next coat. You may also need to sand some uneven surfaces that appeared after the first coat. If necessary wait an extra dry for the grout to dry before re-coating.

1st coat of epoxy floor coating

Step 7 Apply the final coat. Before placing the final coat make sure all holes and cracks have been filled, and that all dust has been collected. Otherwise you will get an ugly texture on the final surface. Remember most epoxy products have a pot life of approximately 40 minutes (or less) so only mix one bucket at a time and get to work immediately.

Top considerations for epoxy flooring system installation and maintenance

Although epoxy flooring systems are relatively easy—and cheap—to install, expertise and precision are key. Coatings that are applied improperly will chip and peel prematurely, while properly installed epoxy flooring systems should be low maintenance and highly resistant to chemical spills and abrasions. This is why it is imperative that you partner with the right commercial flooring contractor—they will be able to guide you from start to finish to ensure your flooring project goes smoothly.

Epoxy coatings are typically applied to concrete flooring to enhance resilience and aesthetic appeal. Prepping the substrate concrete is important, especially when the concrete isn’t freshly laid. An experienced floor contractor will evaluate the substrate for cracks and existing coatings. First, they will remove previously applied coatings and thoroughly clean the surface. Then, depending on the state of the concrete, they might patch cracks with urethane cement. Finally, they will begin the application of the epoxy flooring systems.

From there, maintenance is simple and straightforward. For day-to-day cleaning, vacuuming or sweeping is fine. In fact, it’s recommended that you only deep clean the surface every couple months—in between deep cleans, you can spot clean as needed. When you do deep clean, make sure to avoid soapy products, as they might leave a filmy sheen on your epoxy flooring. Instead, it’s suggested that you use diluted ammonia and hot water.

Overall, epoxy flooring systems should be relatively painless to install when performed by an experienced professional. And, because lifetime maintenance is so easy, epoxy flooring systems are an attractive flooring option for a variety of commercial and industrial applications.

Benefits of epoxy flooring systems

While ease of installation and maintenance are appealing, there are many other factors to consider before choosing the flooring for your next project. Different buildings and different layouts require different features. While a commercial flooring contractor will be best equipped to holistically evaluate your needs and guide you toward the right flooring type, here are several benefits of epoxy flooring systems:

• Enhanced aesthetic appeal
  Good design welcomes patrons and employees and makes your space look finished and professional. Epoxy flooring systems offer a wide array of stain and color options. A popular design option is to use an epoxy system with colored microchips, and then top with a high-gloss finish. Metallic finishes are also available for those who really want to give a memorable design impression.
• Smooth, resilient, surface
  When properly installed and maintained, epoxy flooring systems are abrasion and chemical-resistant. For high-traffic industrial and commercial applications, such durability and strength is a must.
• Low lifetime cost
  While it’s important that a flooring contractor oversees the installation of your epoxy flooring system, the low maintenance needs of the flooring system will ensure that your flooring remains in working condition long into the future at little cost.

A flooring contractor will be able to point you toward the right flooring solution for you, based on application, design and lifetime value.