Epoxy Floors, Wear Vs. Failure:

Epoxy Floors, Wear vs. Failure:

There are many types of liquid applied floor coatings. Acrylics, epoxies, polyurethanes and polyureas are some of the most common. Within these groups are countless formulations and cross linked combinations. Often I am called on to examine floor coatings that are worn out and/or failing. Sometimes the cause is obvious, but sometimes it cannot be easily (i.e. affordably) determined. It is important to understand the difference between wear and failure.

Wear comes from use and abuse. While the service life different types of coatings varies greatly, they are all subject to wear and any coating can be scratched by hard and pointy objects being dragged across the surface. Foot and wheeled traffic, sliding objects and materials (especially with dirt or other abrasives present) and chemical degradation all contribute to wear. If you observe thinned out and balding areas, scratches (especially with a definable scratch pattern) and scuffs, this is wear. The effects of wear can be minimized by the selecting a coating material suitable for the type of traffic and chemical exposure the floor will be subjected too. Regular cleaning is a big factor in the service life of a coating. Finally, topdressing when a coating material is showing general signs of wear and the application of sacrificial coatings in high wear areas will prolong a floor's life indefinitely.

A coating is failing when there is a breakdown of its bond to the substrate. This will manifest itself as flaking or sheeting of the coating material. The most common cause of bonding issues is improper surface preparation. Poor bonding profiles and improper cleaning of the substrate before application of the coating will likely create this type of failure. Bonding can also be broken by moisture vapor pressure coming through the concrete. This will manifest itself as bubbles or blisters. Other causes of bonding issues come from substrate contamination. Curing compounds and chemicals absorbed into the slab during previous service can create a problem with the bonding and affect the curing of your coating. Another type of coating failure occurs when the coating material breaks down and becomes sticky or friable. This can result from chemicals it's exposed to and sometimes I'll come across a coating that that was improperly blended on site or improperly formulated at the plant.

There is no "cure all, do all" coating for any and every application. A properly selected, applied and maintained liquid floor coating can provide an attractive and durable surface at a great value, especially when considering the cost per square foot per year of service life. Working with a coating contractor who is knowledgeable of his materials and diligent with his application processes will help insure you get the best value from the dollars you invest into your floor.

Jim Jarrell

High Tech Surface Solutions, Inc.

www.diacrete.com

Owner, High Tech Surface Solutions, Inc., which develops and implements concrete coloring, coating and finishing systems. My background is in industrial concrete protection and repair. In the early 1990's I developed a concrete polishing process (Diacrete) and began to experiment with dyes and acid stains for coloring concrete. My goal is to stay on the cutting edge of decorative concrete with application techniques and improved coating systems.

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