What to Expect
Are you considering having an epoxy floor installed? If so, you’ll want to hire a reputable epoxy flooring contractor to handle the install. A professional should always install these floors to ensure they’re installed correctly and last as long as possible.
However, you may be wondering what all an epoxy flooring installation entails so you can better prepare for the project.
In this article, we’ll discuss how the epoxy floor installation process works, what the steps are, and how long it should take. Continue reading to learn more!
Cleaning, Inspecting, and Repairing the Concrete
Once you have your install scheduled and your epoxy flooring contractor arrives, the process will begin with a cleaning and inspection of your existing concrete for damage. If any damage is discovered, such as cracks, chips, or flaking, it’ll need to be repaired before your contractor moves forward with the installation. Typically, cracks are repaired using an injectable epoxy filler, while chips and flaking areas are fixed using a powdered concrete patch.
Preparing the Surface of the Concrete
Once all necessary repairs have been made, the surface prep is the next step. Surface prep involves using a floor grinder fitted with a coarse diamond grinding wheel or a shot blaster to remove the outermost layer of concrete. This step opens the pores of the concrete to ensure proper adhesion between the concrete and epoxy, removes any minor blemishes that didn’t need repairs, and can level out any dips or dents in the concrete. In most cases, a floor grinder is preferred for surface prep as it’s considered more efficient and requires less cleanup.
Mixing and Pouring the Epoxy Floor
With the surface prep finished, the base layer of epoxy can be poured. While the base layer dries, more epoxy resin and hardener are mixed to create the outer layers that require color, patterns, or both. These layers will complete the look you’re going for. Several coats will be mixed and poured to reach the desired thickness, accounting for the clear epoxy topcoat. After all the layers have been applied and patterns formed, the clear coat is mixed and applied to seal everything in place.
Allowing the Floor to Cure
After the clear coat has been applied, your epoxy floor will need time to cure. Using epoxy floors before they’ve had time to cure can ruin them. Usually, an epoxy floor is 90% cured after 24 hours and can be walked on. The floor is 100% cured after 72 hours and ready for full use!