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Concrete Floors: Epoxy Can Last Decades, But Only With Proper Installation
Concrete Floor Coatings: Epoxy Can Last Decades, But Only With Proper Installation
By Harvey Chichester
After experiencing lifting and pealing of floor products on concrete floors, many industries have reduced their expectations for shop floor life to three or four years. This is unfortunate because epoxy floors have an intrinsic service period of a decade or more if the concrete sub-floor is properly prepared prior to laying down the coating.
Even new concrete floors require proper preparation before a seal coating is applied. New concrete is dusty or the first few years as the microscopic latent are kicked off the surface. If concrete is exposed to wear, it will eventually deteriorate. Friction wear, erosion, and contamination all play a role. Dust, cracks, crumbling, rough surfaces, and the inability to keep the environment clean are symptoms of a concrete floor that has not been protected and is moving towards an unserviceable condition.
The secret to success in producing concrete floors that last a decade or more is paying attention to the preparation process. Instead of using simple raw materials like hydrochloric acid and tri-sodium phosphate, it is better to employ concrete cleaners that have rinse agents and detergents built-in. Such specialty concrete cleaning products ensure that the etching and cleaning of the concrete sub-floor results in a strongly bonded epoxy layer.
Mission-critical sites in industries such as printing, food processing, air travel, and breweries rely on decade-old epoxy coated concrete floors that are used 24 hours per day.
Recently, at least one manufacturer has begun providing kits of materials customized to owner specification and delivered directly to the job site. These kits include full directions and 24/7 help lines staffed by seasoned flooring experts, so professionals and amateurs alike can successfully install a quality epoxy floor over existing concrete.
On the Web, individuals and project managers can obtain free, job-specific quotes on materials or nationwide turnkey installations by completing a simple questionnaire at
www.concrete-floor-coatings.com
For photo examples and more detail, visit www.concrete-floor-coatings.com
For more information, contact Harvey Chichester at: harvey@concrete-floor-coatings.com
Phone: 1-800-466-8910 or 952-888-1488 (24/7)
Harvey Chichester is a principal of Durall Industrial Flooring, a company with more than 40 years experience in developing special flow-coatings for industrial and residential concrete floors. For 15 years, he has overseen product development and field testing for the company. He has personally directed the installation or restoration of more than 6,000 concrete floors.
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