Things to consider before installing Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy floors are basically concrete surfaces that have been coated with epoxy material and they are sometimes referred to as polymer seamless surfaces. The finish may be colored or transparent which makes it a great alternative for sealants that are often used on concrete floors. Epoxy floors are common in homes as well as industrial sites and some pool decks. However, there are some areas where epoxy surfaces are not recommended.
Vertical surfaces – Epoxy is for floor use only and is not supposed to be used on walls or any other perpendicular surfaces. It should also not be used on furniture or fittings.
Wood – Concrete is the most suitable surface to coat with epoxy and wood is not suitable for this kind of coating because it could lead to certain chemical reactions that may damage the wood.
Metal – metallic surfaces are not adaptable to epoxy and any application of a coating may result in negative reactionary effects. Any rust contained on will also cause untold problems if it comes into contact with epoxy.
Water – epoxy is used to coat dry surfaces and any area with standing water or plenty of moisture should not be coated. If you happen to notice any signs of moisture such as mildew, you should avoid the application of epoxy because the likelihood of a negative reaction is very high. If you are able to stop leakages and ensure that a surface is no longer traps any moisture, you can go ahead and prepare a surface for coating.
Filling – Some people also use epoxy to try and fill up cracks or patch up surfaces which is not recommended. All necessary repairs should be done on the concrete floors before applying the epoxy coating.
Foreign bodies – before the application of epoxy coating the floor has to be cleaned and prepared sufficiently. There should be not dirt, dust or foreign objects on the surface that is being treated with epoxy. Any other previous coatings also have to be done away with before the application begins to avoid reactions between different compounds.
Other areas that should not be coated with epoxy include the following:
- Attics
- Basement slabs
- Ceramic tiling
- Synthetic surfaces
- Bathroom floors
As long as the guidelines of epoxy flooring are followed to the letter, there are hardly any problems that are likely to occur during the application process. If you are not sure whether your surface is suitable for epoxy flooring it is prudent to get some expert advice. Most of the do-it-yourself kits in the market come with instructions that make it easier for users to get things done correctly. Epoxy flooring is a great home improvement method and that is practical and cost effective making it one of the most favored methods of treating concrete surfaces. It is important to note that epoxy can be used to coat both outdoor and indoor surfaces as long as they fit the right specifications.
