Epoxy Floor Preparation & Installation Guide
Important NOTE regarding Concrete!
90% of the time we must grind or shot blast concrete, because concrete was designed to be smooth, and epoxy will not adhere to a smooth surface. We must open the pores of the concrete to allow the epoxy to have proper adhesion strength.
Removal of the existing flooring if needed.
An epoxy flooring installation can’t begin until the old flooring is removed, and the surface is prepared to receive the new flooring. This is particularly true of resinous flooring systems that need a clean and textured surface to properly bond. Epoxy Art Pros understands all kinds of flooring preparation concerns from demolition, floor scraping and removal to the subtle characteristics of what and how the new surface will be applied.
Floor removal is the first step in our concrete surface preparation process. Depending on your existing flooring surface, and the material that is to be installed, you may need further floor preparation. As part of being a full-service flooring contractor we can also offer shot blasting, grinding, moisture mitigation, and self-leveling as needed.
Shot Blasting
Shot blasting is the most important step in preparing the surface for a new seamless floor. This is especially true when the substrate is heavily damaged, deeply contaminated or has failing or inappropriate coatings for the intended usage. Shot blasting removes old floor coatings and the contaminants within the top surface layer. It increases the concrete surface profile (CSP) area up to three times the original surface area, paving the way for the new flooring installation to have improved application and stronger adhesion bond. A CSP of 3-5 is required under most resinous systems for the best results.
Surface preparation of existing concrete floors is a necessary part of new seamless floor installation, and may be combined with removal, grinding, moisture mitigation, or self-leveling to appropriately prepare your subfloor for installation. Shot blasting is included as part of our resinous flooring installations or can be contracted independently.
Concrete floor grinding
The process of floor grinding may include ride-on machines for larger jobs or walk-behind machines for smaller jobs combined with handheld grinders to further prepare concrete to receive a new flooring system. Grinding cleans the concrete surface by removing a small layer of material. It flattens and smooths surfaces, levels out high spots, removes coatings, mastics, epoxies, urethane, adhesive residue, and paint.
Large floor grinding machines use multiple rotating discs to remove paints and concrete coatings and to create light texturing of the concrete surface in large, open areas. Like shot blasting, grinding increases the concrete surface profile to improve the bonding properties of a newly applied resinous flooring.
Floor scarifiers, also referred to as surface planers, also even out large surface areas with multi-tipped wheels that pound the surface. Handheld grinders help resurface areas where grinding machines and scarifiers can’t reach. All these grinding machines and devices replace hand scrapers, jackhammers, or chisels for faster, safer and more accurate floor preparation.
Surface preparation of existing concrete floors is a necessary part of a new floor installation, and grinding may be included as part of the process alongside removal, shot blasting, moisture mitigation, and self-leveling.
Moisture Mitigation
Epoxy Art Pros recommends a simple moisture test before installing any flooring on concrete, which can now be done in as little as 24 hours using Rapid RH tests from Wagner Meters testing for relative humidity in the slab, giving the most accurate results.
Flooring problems due to moisture vapor transmission can cost the construction industry and facility owners billions of dollars each year. MVT (Moisture Vapor transmission ) problems attack impervious and permeable flooring materials including wood, vinyl, tile, urethane, epoxy, and carpet. Often the end result is disbondment, blistering, pinholes, chipping and pitting, adhesive reversion, and cracking and heaving. If left untreated it can introduce health concerns associated with Sick Building Syndrome – by aiding the growth of algae, bacteria, mildew, and mold, as well as inducing rot.
Excess moisture and water can wreak havoc on your flooring products and ultimately lead to failure. Moisture can come from high water tables, drainage deposits, residual water from run-off or irrigation, broken or leaky plumbing or lack of, or improper installation of a positive side moisture barrier.
Providing reliable moisture control is an important surface preparation factor and an essential part of new floor installations. Moisture mitigation comes after any removal, grinding, or shot blasting that may be needed is complete, and before self-leveling if needed. Contact us to schedule a concrete moisture test or apply a moisture barrier to protect the life of your flooring system.
Epoxy Art Pros uses EAP MVB15 Moisture Vapor Barrier
EAP MVB15 is VOC compliant, two component, 100% solids epoxy system for concrete substrates. MVB15 is a moisture vapor barrier that reduces the permeance of moisture vapor to levels that are acceptable for the application of flooring installation systems and floor coverings. It is compatible with most flooring adhesives and cementitious underlayment’s, including all EAP adhesives, primers, and underlayment’s.
Advantages of our moisture barrier
- 2 to 1 mix ratio by volume
- 100% solids formulation
- Low order makes it ideal for interior use.
- One coat application
- Blocks moisture vapor emissions pressure up to 15 pounds.
Self-Leveling
Leveling the floor surface is the final step in preparing your subfloor for a new flooring installation. Floor leveling creates the final flat surface on which we install our flooring systems for an even base. It can also be used to pitch a floor toward a drain or patch inconsistencies. Our flooring experts are sure to guide you through what other preparation steps are needed previous to self-leveling for the project at hand. When needed removal, grinding, shot blasting and moisture mitigation services are also available as part of our full-service floor contracting capabilities.
When floor leveling is necessary, we apply professional industry leading product lines as appropriate.
Creating a level surface for flooring installation HELPS (but does not guarantee) prevent future splitting, cracking and chipping. When appropriate it is included as part of our floor preparation or can be contracted independently. Contact us for details.