There are many mistakes that most people make when the flooring is expensive to repair. Epoxy flooring is often a great choice for most people, but you can get damaged without proper care. Garage floor epoxy can be a great choice since they are hygienic, easy to maintain and attractive. In addition, you have numerous finish options from cementitious, Quarts and solid colours. However, messing up with the epoxy floors is easy and can mess up your space. If you are planning to install, you need to research and know everything about epoxy flooring and the common mistakes people make so that you can avoid them. This article will explore common, costly epoxy flooring mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Failure to Remove Moisture on the Concrete
When working with concrete, always ensure the surface is dry before applying the epoxy. After working on the concrete during preparation, please leave it to dry for at least 24 hours. However, if there is fluctuation in the humidity and temperature, you need to wait longer. You can ask a professional to consult a moisture test and verify if the surface is completely dry. Failure to this the trapped moisture will create hydrostatic pressure, resulting in the concrete’s peeling. You can look for water-based epoxy in dump places since they work well.
2. Failure to Follow Instructions Effectively
The most epoxy manufacturer will often offer instructions for a successful application. However, most people don’t often bother reading the instruction, and they end up applying it wrongly hence getting bad results. Before applying the epoxy for coating, ensure you understand the instructions completely. Some manufacturers will refuse to sell you their products until they are sure you know how to use them. It’s important to note that manufacturers will make all the mistakes, and they will learn from them. They will test the product and know how effectively they work. The manufacturer will provide specific guidelines on the temperature and humidity you must follow. Applying the epoxy at low temperatures can make your proxy fail to cure properly or harden.
3. Failure to Prepare the Surface
Surface preparation is the key when you are planning to apply an epoxy flooring coat. Most experts often prefer using epoxy to install garage floors which might be tricky to prepare sometimes. When the floor is poorly prepared, you get bad finishes and epoxy floor failure. If there is oil on the surface, you might experience fisheyes. You need to note that epoxy doesn’t adhere to smooth surfaces. To avoid the oil and wax consider acid etching and grinding the concrete before you install your epoxy floors.
4. Stretching Out The Epoxy
One common mistake people make is trying to stretch out the epoxy when applying it. Most people do this to avoid paying extra money to buy the adhesive when it depletes. This will result in a weak coat since your epoxy doesn’t dry easily. When purchasing the epoxy, always ensure you buy extra pieces, such as if you are buying for 500 feet, you need to purchase at least 600 feet. Additionally, ensure you buy a high-quality epoxy paint kit to leave the surface less glossy.
Wrapping Up!
The above are common mistakes that most people make when applying an epoxy coating. Always consult with the manufacturer or an expert if unsure of the application process.
