What is Up with my Epoxy Flooring?

Untreated concrete can be an eye sore.  Not only that, it is really prone to damage, staining, and deterioration.  Leaving it as is may not be an option for you.  Epoxy coatings may be the right option.  But remember, when concrete has been damaged, you cannot just put epoxy over it to fix it.  If the problems with the concrete are not addressed first, you are just putting a band-aid on the situation.
 
We have seen quite a few instances where non-skilled contractors or DIY enthusiasts have decided to apply epoxy coating to concrete.  The story doesn’t always have a happy ending.  Let us point out a couple of concerns that happened after the epoxy was installed and why.
 
First, we want to point out that epoxy coatings are as good as the person applying it.  This is not a handyman project or something you can easily learn from watching a YouTube video.  Contractors who install epoxy coatings as their profession have a lot of experience, skills, and training to ensure the process is done correctly.  If you don’t get it right the first time around, epoxy is not very forgiving. 
 
If you have applied epoxy and you notice the color of the floor is changing, you have an issue.  The appeal that comes with all the color choices and the aesthetics of this kind of flooring can go right out the window if the concrete has issues with moisture.  Before applying any epoxy to concrete, make sure there is not a vapor issue or moisture intrusion.  Putting epoxy over this kind of issue will just guarantee you will have issues of color change down the road.
 
Another issue that may come up is peeling or bubbling on the coating.  This ties back to poor installation.  Air does get trapped in the epoxy coating during the curing stage.  This is a result of the concrete not being properly sealed, primed, and prepared correctly.  You will end up getting bubbling on the surface.  The professionals call this out-gassing.  And peeling of the epoxy happens because the concrete was dirty.  You need to make sure that all dirt, oil, and moisture is completely removed.  Otherwise, the epoxy coating does not adhere correctly.
 
If you find that the floor seems to be wet or damp most of the time, you have a moisture problem.  Either water vapor is getting through from the concrete or the epoxy coating is not adhering to the concrete any longer.  There is no way to do a quick fix for this.  You will need to have your epoxy coating redone.  Again, it is very important to address any issues with the concrete first.  If you were aware of a vapor problem, a vapor barrier may have avoided this issue all together.
 
If you find the surface of your epoxy floor doesn’t feel even, you may have an installation issue as well.  When you walk across the surface, you shouldn’t be finding bumps or dips on the flooring.  Granted, the ground will naturally settle which can cause some change.  If there was any material left on the concrete at the time of installation, it can cause this.  Or if the tools used to apply the epoxy were not clean or of good quality, the results could lead to uneven areas. 
 
We often find opportunities around our homes to do things ourselves.   Or try and find a bargain that will save us a few bucks.  Epoxy coating installation is not one of those opportunities to cut corners.  Epoxy is not very forgiving if error has occurred.  And it can cost you more than you originally expected, just to get it fixed.  We recommend using a qualified epoxy flooring company to handle your project.  There are lots more projects that the handyman in you will be better adept at in the future.

This post courtesy of PE Coating Systems.