4 Epoxy Floor Disasters You Want To Avoid
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Epoxy floor coatings are among the best floor paint options available on the market. They are highly durable, require low maintenance, and offer a beautiful gloss finish to the floor. However, epoxy floors sometimes fail due to application or surface preparation errors. A failed epoxy coating is tough to remove, so here are four common epoxy floor disasters and ways to avoid them.
1) Peeling floors
Epoxy floor paint can peel for several reasons, but the most common one is incorrect preparation of the paint itself. Inadequate mixing significantly reduces adhesion between the coating and the concrete. Another frequent cause is the application of epoxy during extreme cold or warm temperature conditions. As a result, irregular drying, contraction, and expansion reduce adhesion and lead to peeling.
How to avoid:
- Making sure you apply to either bare concrete or previously painted with an epoxy
- Prepare the surface by cleaning and etching before applying the coating.
- Apply epoxy during normal weather conditions.
- Hire a professional to do the job.
2) Build-up of moisture
If the floor is not completely dry before painting, residual moisture can get trapped beneath the coating. With no means to escape, these pockets of moisture cause bubbles to appear on the surface. These can burst if not addressed quickly, separating the epoxy from the floor and taking parts of the concrete with it.
How to avoid:
- If it is new concrete this must be valid for at least 3 months prior to painting
- Conduct a simple moisture test after prepping your floor to determine if it is ready for the epoxy coating.
- After you etch the floor, ensure it is completely dry before applying the epoxy.
- Ensure that there is no moisture seeping in from underneath the floor.
3) Air bubbles
Air bubbles have a similar appearance and damaging effect to moisture bubbles. They usually result from the application of epoxy paint during freezing temperatures or in direct sunlight. A porous concrete floor may also produce air bubbles unless it is first primed with an airtight paint. Air bubbles can also appear when the paint is over-oxygenated - usually the result of mixing too fast or using the wrong proportions of resin and hardener.
How to avoid:
- Pre-seal porous concrete floors with a coating or primer (must be an epoxy primer)
- Read and follow the application instruction, which sometimes requires that the mixture sits for an induction period before application.
- Avoid application in temperatures below 10°C.
4) Inconsistent colour
Ending up with a colour that is different from the one intended is not uncommon on epoxy floors. This is often the result of incorrect mixing or oil and grease on the concrete. Two pack Epoxy floor paints offer the best adhesion and protection from the elements however is external applications the colour will chalk and fade due to UV exposure.
How to avoid:
- Follow the manufacturer’s mixing instructions and paint to hardener ratios.
- Thoroughly clean the concrete surface of grease and oils, using a professional degreasing agent.
5) Non Slip
Like any painted surface when wet epoxy can be extremely slippery so we do offer a non-slip version which is a rough textured finish which will reduce the risk of slips.
High-quality epoxy floor paints
As long as you pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions when mixing your paint, and ensure thorough surface preparation, it is unlikely you’ll run into any problems. If in doubt, or when painting a large flooring area, consider hiring an experienced painter or company to apply your epoxy flooring. Choosing a durable, high-quality epoxy paint is also important. To view our range of competitively priced single and two pack epoxy floor paints, please click here.
