Guarantee success with proper prep.
Achieving a high-quality epoxy garage floor coating starts with proper surface preparation. Every flooring contractor should know how important surface preparation is to the installation process. The preparation process is key to ensuring that the epoxy adheres well to the concrete, and will provide a long lasting, durable finish.
Why You Need To Start Installing Epoxy Garage Floors
There are many reasons why every enterprising contractor should add epoxy garage floor installations to their services. Here are some key benefits. Epoxy garage floors are in high demand as homeowners search for ways to improve their homes. An epoxy garage floor is a great way to do this.
On the contractor side, epoxy garage floors are not very labor or resource intensive. Once you have the proper equipment and supplies, they are relatively easy to install. Because of their ease, epoxy garage floors are an easily reproducible service. This means that once you have installed one successfully, it will be easier to replicate this success with future clients.
As a contractor, you will most likely be installing flake epoxy systems into garages. Flake epoxy, the standard for garage floor installations, is an incredibly strong, durable and beautiful flooring solution. Our article Why You Need Flake Epoxy Garage Flooring covers all the bases for why these floors are soaring in demand.
Now that we’ve covered some of the reasons why contractors should add epoxy garage floor installations to their services, let’s take a look at how to prepare a garage floor for epoxy.
Preparing a Garage for Epoxy Floor Installation
Getting your preparation right is building a strong foundation for your epoxy to stand on. Here are some tips on perfecting your process:
Leveling the concrete
With epoxy, building the right foundation with your floor sometimes literally means making sure your physical foundation is ready for epoxy. Our article on Why & How To Level Concrete can help you figure out if you need to level your concrete, and how you do it.
Cleaning the concrete
This step is as easy as it is important. Remove any dirt, grease, or other contaminants that could prevent the epoxy from adhering properly with a strong, but non-abrasive, cleaning solution and water rinse.
Repairing any cracks or damaged areas
It’s important to repair any cracks or damaged areas of the concrete before applying epoxy, as this will ensure that the finish is smooth and even. It will also help guarantee the long term health of the epoxy floor.
Etching the concrete
This step helps to roughen up the surface of the concrete so that the epoxy can grip it better. The concrete should be etched with a chemical etching solution and then rinsed well with water.
Moisture testing & Moisture Barrier (Optional)
After allowing the concrete to dry, you should observe the condition of the floor and test for any possible moisture that could threaten the integrity of its future epoxy coating. Our article on the Importance of Concrete Moisture Testing can help you understand the why & how of the process further.
Applying a primer
Once the concrete is clean, dry, and free of cracks or damage, a primer coat should be applied. This will help to further prepare the surface for the epoxy and ensure that the finish is smooth and even.
Applying the epoxy
Now, apply the epoxy coatings. Apply the resin in two thin coats, and allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next as with any other epoxy installation.
By following these steps, you can be sure that your garage floor is properly prepared for epoxy and that the finish will be smooth and long lasting.
What You Need to Start Installing Epoxy Floors in Garages
In order to start installing epoxy floors in garages, you will need a few key supplies and pieces of equipment:
- Concrete Grinder – For any leveling, floor preparation and more, a quality concrete grinder is essential for any contractor. The Concrete Genie is a highly-efficient, highly-mobile machine perfect for garages.
- Cleaning Tools – For most jobs, a simple pump spray tool and cleaning solution will work, although it may be worth investing in a proper pressure washer.
- Moisture barrier (Optional) – While it is highly recommended to moisture test and apply a moisture barrier to add even more protection for your epoxy installation, it’s not always necessary. We recommend the Concrete Moisture Barrier Vapor Reduction solution.
- Chemical etching solution – This is used to roughen up the surface of the concrete before applying epoxy to help with its grip onto the concrete. The NewLook QuickEtch line is a great product.
- Primer – This helps to further prepare the surface of the concrete for epoxy. The Ardex P 51 primer is a great quality solution.
By having all of these supplies and equipment on hand, you can prepare any garage floor for epoxy. When it comes to the resources you’ll need for installing the epoxy, we also offer a full epoxy starter kit specifically made for garage installations. Complete with resin, flake for broadcasting, and more.
Learn How To Install Strong Epoxy Floors
Surface preparation may be essential to any epoxy installation, but you’re not done yet. Knowing how to install a quality epoxy floor is another battle to conquer. With our Epoxy Classes program, you can learn the fundamentals of epoxy hands-on with experienced technicians. In the 5 day course, we cover:
- Surface Preparation for Epoxy Installation
- How to install epoxy
- How to use a concrete grinder
Sign up today and build the foundation for your own success!
Conclusion
Installing epoxy floors in garages is a great way for flooring contractors to diversify their services and increase their income. By following the proper steps for surface preparation, contractors can ensure that their clients’ garage floors are properly prepared for epoxy and that the finish will be smooth and long lasting. With the right supplies and equipment on hand, any contractor can add epoxy garage floor installation to their services and start reaping the benefits.
If you have questions about surface preparation, or anything epoxy and flooring related, call our technicians at (954) 287-3797. Our EpoxyETC online store offers competitive prices for all the resources and tools you’ll need to start installing epoxy floors today.