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.
Cabinet with Floor Stand & Alarm White Epoxy - 11210-000028Physio Control Floor Stand and Alarm Cabinet. Compatible with LIFEPAK 500, LIFEPAK 1000, LIFEPAK CR Plus and LIFEPAK EXP... More >>
Rust-Oleum 203373 Professional Floor Coating Kit, Silver GrayA tough, 2 component coating forms a bond with the surface that is stronger than concrete. Withstands splash and spillag... More >>
Krylon Industrial Dura-Top Epoxy Floor Coating Sandstone Part AKrylon Industrial Dura-Top Epoxy Floor Coating Sandstone Part A Dura-Top Epoxy Floor Coating is a self-leveling, 100% so... More >>
Quikrete® Light Gray Epoxy Multi-Surface CoatingQUIKRETE® products contain a special resin technology that works to maximize the bond between the floor coating and the... More >>
Forearm Crutch Youth - 1 Pair Forearm Crutch w/ Large Full Cuff - Epoxy-coated youth forearm crutches with extra large 4" (10 cm.) diameter full cuff featuring a V-shaped front opening for quick release. Height adjustable grip to floor from 23" to 33" (58 cm. to 84 cm.) and grip to cuff from 8" to 10" (20 cm. to 25 cm.). Comes fitted with model T10 Pivoflex tips. Available in 13 colors. Indicate color selection in Comments section during Check Out.Youth Forearm Crutch - 1 Pair Forearm Crutch w/ Large Full Cuff - Epoxy-coated youth forearm crutches with extra large 4... More >>
![]() Tennant fast Cure 100 solids epoxy floor clear 15 gal US $350.00
|
![]() Rust Oleum Gray Epoxy Resin Garage Floor Finish Kit US $71.99
|
![]() Epoxy Coat Full Floor Kit With Polyurea Clear Coat Grey US $299.00
|
![]() UltraSeal 100 High solids epoxy Floor coating 3 gal kit US $225.00
|
![]() GARAGE FLOOR EPOXY PAINT KIT WITH TOPCOAT 600 SQ FT US $349.00
|
![]() Rust Oleum Paint Garage Floor Coating Epoxy Gloss Gray Cleaner Kit 251965 US $75.90
|
![]() 4 Gallons Seal Krete Slate Gray Epoxy Seal Concrete Garage Floor Paint 922001 US $159.96
|
![]() Norklad 200 100 solids Epoxy Garage Floor Paint 3ga US $148.00
|
![]() RHINO LININGS EPOXY FLOOR PAINT EPOXY GARAGE FLOOR PAINT US $99.99
|
![]() Tint Base Garage Floor Epoxy by Rustoleum 225270 US $79.99
|
![]() Quikrete 02 1050020 GL 1 Gallon Light Gray Epoxy Garage Floor Coating Kit US $96.92
|
![]() Norklad WB Colored Epoxy Basecoat Garage Floor Paint US $50.00
|
![]() Norklad 200 100 solids Epoxy Garage Floor Paint US $650.00
|
![]() Diamond Vantage Grinding Block Edco Floor Surface Epoxy US $79.99
|
![]() Rust Oleum Paint Garage Floor Coating Epoxy Gloss Tan Cleaner Kit 251966 US $89.99
|
![]() Sherwin Williams ArmorSeal 1000HS Part B Epoxy Hardner Garage Floor Finish US $60.00
|
![]() QUIKRETE TAN MIX 21C COLOR EPOXY FLOORING FLAKES 7OZ US $11.99
|
![]() Rust Oleum Paint Concrete Floor Epoxy Gloss Clear Kit 225225 US $109.90
|
![]() RUSTOLEUM 251965 EPOXY SHIELD GRAY GARAGE FLOOR PAINT US $79.99
|
![]() EPOXY RESIN OPAQUE BLACK CONCRETE GARAGE FLOOR COATING US $82.57
|
![]() Concrete Floor Sealer Epoxy Primer Urethane Topcoat US $235.00
|
![]() Rust Oleum Paint Concrete Floor Coating Epoxy Semi Gloss Dark Gray Kit 238467 US $109.90
|
![]() Rust Oleum Paint Garage Floor Coating Epoxy Gloss Gray US $75.00
|
![]() Norkald 200 100 solids Epoxy Garage Floor Paint US $148.00
|
![]() Rust Oleum Paint Concrete Floor Coating Epoxy Semi Gloss Tile Red Kit 238468 US $109.90
|
![]() Gray Epoxy Shield Garage Floor Kit by Rustoleum No 251965 US $74.99
|
![]() Gallon Seal Krete Slate Gray Epoxy Seal Concrete Garage Floor Paint no 922001 US $34.99
|
![]() Granite Coat 3 GA Epoxy Coating Kit Clear Garage Floor Coating System US $163.25
|
![]() Increte Granite Coat Garage Floor Coating Epoxy Coating Vinyl Chips US $104.75
|
![]() Rust Oleum Paint Concrete Floor Epoxy Satin Battleship Gray 1 Gallon Ea 225380 US $54.90
|
![]() Epoxy Garage Floor FLAKE 1 4 Pigment Chips Tan Mix US $10.99
|
![]() Devcon 40 lbs Epoxy Floor Patch US $232.04
|
![]() Rust Oleum Paint Concrete Floor Epoxy Satin Armor Gray 1 Gallon Ea 225359 US $54.90
|
![]() RUSTOLEUM 252625 EPOXY SHIELD BASE GARAGE FLOOR PAINT US $69.99
|
![]() Epoxy Shield Professional Silver Gray Floor Coating US $93.83
|
![]() RUSTOLEUM 251966 EPOXY SHIELD TAN GARAGE FLOOR PAINT US $89.99
|
![]() Garage Floor Paint Durall Epoxy 2 gallon Kit 650 sq ft call 800 466 8910 US $109.98
|
![]() Rust Oleum Tan Epoxy Resin Garage Floor Finish Kit US $71.99
|
![]() 100SOLIDS EPOXY GARAGE FLOOR COATING PAINT 15 GALLON US $849.99
|
![]() Rust Oleum Epoxy Shield Basement Floor Coating Satin Tan Tan Blend Flakes Kit US $58.90
|
Tagged with: are there liquid floors • armorseal 650 colors • armorseal 650 regular cleaning • Coating • diacrete 125 • difference between epoxyshield 1 part and 2 part garage floor paint • difference between rustoleum and quikrete epoxy floor coating • Epoxy • epoxy failure • Epoxy Floor • epoxy floor blister causes • Epoxy Floor Coating • epoxy floor coating failure • epoxy floor coating failures • epoxy floor failures • epoxy flooring failure • epoxyfloorcoatings • Failure • flexogrid • floor coating • Floors • improper clean of epoxy floors • life • norklad 200 vs. armorseal 650 • using armorseal with color flakes • Wear • wear of epoxy coatings









































