How to Epoxy Concrete Floor: Proven Preparation Steps
Francisco Mendoza • 8 April 2024
Quality Epoxy Floors Begin with Surface Preparation
Epoxy resin floors
rely on a strong foundation - often, a strong concrete
foundation. And not every concrete floor is going to be the perfect specimen. Sometimes, it'll take a little bit of work to get it prepared. That's why XPS
is here to help you learn the ins-and-outs of concrete flooring surface preparation
.
An ounce of knowledge and careful preparation will go a long way towards strengthening your epoxy resin. Read our guide to learn what the veterans do to prepare concrete !
How Good Contractors Prepare Concrete Surfaces
Assess Your Concrete's Quality
1. Moisture Assessment
Oft-forgot, but easy to cover! There's no sense in ignoring the possibility that your concrete could contain moisture
that would threaten your epoxy resin.
No matter the testing route you go, even the most broad test
is better than nothing. We've covered your moisture
testing option
s
in a separate guide.
Moisture issues
may not be immediately apparent. Depending on your climate, they will also appear in different ways. It might be an inability to cure
properly, or cracking
from the seasonal cycle affecting the moisture.
2. Concrete Repair & Leveling
You don't have to settle for a broken, chipped
or cracked
concrete floor, so don't. Repairing
your concrete is easy
and provides a lot of benefits. Aesthetics or utility, repairing your concrete
before
installing epoxy resin
on top of it is essential.
Whether it's a self-leveling
compound
or grinding
, you'll need to take care of the evenness
of your floors, too. Epoxy
installed on an uneven surface can be unsafe! Whatever your floor cures as is how it'll stay, so try to get it perfect
the first time through.
3. Ideal Concrete Surface Profile
Last, but most certainly not least, is ensuring your concrete has the right concrete surface profile (CSP)
to bond with epoxy resin.
We know; concrete looks beautiful
smoothed out. But, for epoxy resin
to have the best bond, it needs to be slightly roughened.
There are a few ways to assess and manage your CSP.
While the industry no longer recommends acid etching, mechanical grinding
still reigns. If your concrete is too rough, you may need to apply a slight top layer of concrete
for your epoxy
to be built on top of. XPS' online store provides any concrete surface profile management resources
, such as grinders
,
that you'll need!
Prepare the Concrete Floor for Epoxy Resin
1. Cleaning & Surface Preparation
Concrete
is a breeze to maintain and clean. That'll come in handy when you're preparing your concrete floors
for epoxy resin! It doesn't need to be spotless, though the more thorough you are the better. Sweep
any dust, mop
with warm water and a gentle
cleanser, and you should be good.
If you're going for a glossy, clear coat of epoxy resin
for a polished concrete
look
, you'll want spotless
concrete. It'll be worth the extra effort to have your perfect floors!
2.. Primer Application
epoxy resin installation.
concrete floor
stronger,
beautiful.
Conclusion
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