| If you've ever considered using a garage floor epoxy | | | | surface preparation. The floor must be completely |
| system to protect and enhance the look of your | | | | clean and stripped of all other coatings. Any stains or |
| garage floor, there are a few things you should know | | | | foreign substances (oil, grease, paint, etc.) will |
| before purchasing one. Most home improvement | | | | prevent adequate bonding between the concrete and |
| stores carry epoxy floor kits designed for the | | | | epoxy, resulting in chipping and flaking. Most |
| do-it-yourselfer and you've probably heard differing | | | | contractors will apply a coat of sealer to a garage |
| opinions on how well they work. Some will say it's an | | | | floor after installation. It can take several years for |
| excellent product and others will tell you not to | | | | the sealer to wear off completely. This sealer must |
| waste your money. Well, there is usually an easy | | | | be removed for epoxy to last. Although acid etching |
| explanation as to why this product fails for some | | | | is an important step, it will not remove sealer and |
| floors. | | | | most stains. Etching will only open up the pores of |
| One reason for failure is not every concrete floor is | | | | bare concrete, therefore you must do all cleaning and |
| ideal for applying an epoxy coating. Many floors have | | | | stripping before etching with acid. |
| too much hydrostatic pressure, meaning water | | | | Before purchasing a garage floor epoxy system, you |
| moves from the under the slab up to the surface in | | | | need to first decide if your floor is right for it. If it |
| a process called capillary action. Moisture then collects | | | | sweats often or there are areas that are constantly |
| on the surface, which breaks the bond between the | | | | wet, then forget about it. Be sure that you are willing |
| concrete and the epoxy coat. If the floor "sweats" | | | | to take the time to prep the floor properly, as this is |
| even when it's dry outside or there are areas that | | | | the most critical part. It also helps to put one or two |
| seem to stay moist for long periods of time, then an | | | | coats of clear concrete sealer on top to serve as a |
| epoxy coating will almost certainly fail. It will gradually | | | | wear coat. Water based acrylic sealers are ideal for |
| chip and flake away. Even if you don't think there is a | | | | indoor residential use. Despite any bad reviews you've |
| moisture problem, it's a good idea to apply an | | | | heard about the do-it-yourself garage floor epoxy |
| efflorescence or salt blocker before the epoxy. This | | | | system, it can be a successful project if it's done |
| will help prevent moisture from causing problems. | | | | correctly. |
| The most probable reason for failure is improper | | | | |