The Austin epoxy floors are known for high function and appealing designs, making them ideal for busy spaces as the garage. But why is it that despite the quality features, epoxy still fails? Before installing garage floor epoxy Austin TX, it is key that the user makes sure the concrete solution is 100% dry before applying any coating.
Now, if you are sure that you took the necessary steps and were done right, consider some other non-epoxy-related factors. One of the common issues is poorly mixed concrete solutions or sub-standard aggregates or concrete materials.
Read on this pot for you to find out more when and why epoxy fails and identify the true source of the problem.
Epoxy Failure Due to Sandy Concrete
Before you blame an epoxy installer, check and evaluate first your concrete slabs. You can look into the various concrete pictures with failed epoxy coating then compare them with yours. If you see an epoxy coating that has a prickly surface and chips are peeling off upward, then you have a sandy slab others call it granular concrete.
You do not want a sandy concrete slab. One more thing that you will notice is concrete granules residue sticks on the peel of the coating. This issue tells you that the concrete contractors who previously worked on your floor installation cut the flooring materials’ cost. What they did is put too much sand gravel to save on the concrete cost.
When this is how concrete was installed, it will become porous or loose. Thus it will affect more issues that will occur in the future.
Epoxy Failure Due to Poor Concrete Slabs Leaks Moisture
Another reason for epoxy failure is moisture. Poor concrete such as sandy concrete will cause water to leak through the core of the concrete slabs. When moisture seeps in, it will cause pressure that will push any top layer coating up. That is how you get chipping or scaling epoxy coating.
This is also why expert epoxy installers will not stop pushing you to do concrete preparation. In getting the right concrete consistency and curing, moisture will not happen. Therefore, no further damages will have to appear.
Other things to consider why epoxy fail
Other crucial factors to consider related to epoxy failures are the amount of humidity, schedule of installation, and climate in your region. Having always said that the epoxy coating and the concrete should dry completely before applying another layer of coating or finishing, note the weather in your area.
This is also why you need to constantly ask professional flooring contractors for the best materials for your garages, interiors, and exterior floors. Avoid mismatch of solutions and mismatch of materials to your flooring projects.
Finishing Options
Here are some finishing solutions to fix poor concrete that threatens epoxy coating.
- Pea Gravel- Pea gravel is what most concrete installers prefer to address loose concrete. These are tiny round stones that are good to pour over loose or sandy slabs.
- Bonding Primer – If you got loose concrete or moisture-prone floors, you must apply a sealer or a bonding primer. It will seal and cover the pores that formed on the concrete surface.
- Resurfacing- You can efficiently repair loose concrete with resurfacing. There are various methods available to suit your liking. You can pour an overlay or fix it with penetrating dyes or coatings.