PREPARING YOUR FLOOR FOR EPOXY OR URETHANE COATING

How to Prepare Floors for Resinous Flooring 

Before applying Epoxy and Urethane Coating, floors need to be prepped. There are three main steps in the process. 

1. Removing Laitance from the Concrete Substrate

One of the most important aspects of a successful resinous floor installation is the preparation of the concrete substrate.  In order to ensure a successful bond to a concrete substrate, all laitance (the weak, brittle layer that forms on the surface of concrete during its cure) needs to be removed from the surface.  

The two most common methods for concrete preparation are: 

• media blasting the concrete; and 

• grinding the surface with diamond wheels. 

Other ways of surface preparation include scarification and utilizing chipping hammers/guns, but these methods are generally used when removal of an existing system is required.  

In most cases, the minimum required concrete surface profile (CSP) is level three for resinous flooring applications. A CSP-3 is easily obtained when media blasting, but grinding using special PCD wheels can be used to achieve a similar profile. The more aggressive the surface profile, the better the mechanical bond will be between the substrate and the epoxy primer. 

2. Addressing Cracks after Concrete Cures

Just about all concrete shrinks during its cure. As a result, small cracks called “shrinkage cracks” will occur. After the concrete substrate is prepared, cracking in the slab will be most obvious. The various types of cracking will need to be addressed depending on the thickness of the resinous system that is being installed. 

3. Testing Concrete for Contamination

Contamination may also need to be addressed when preparing a concrete substrate. Concrete can act as a sponge if it is not sealed or coated, so if contaminants were spilled on its surface, they may have been absorbed. A water drop test is a quick and easy way to determine if you have a contaminated slab. Pour some water on the surface of the slab, if it is absorbed, you don’t likely have a contamination issue.  If the water beads and doesn’t absorb into the surface, there could be an issue. If contamination is a concern, the use of degreasers and special primers may be required after the surface has been prepared. 

Watch our StonTalks video on the subject, in which Tim discusses the preparation methods involved with installing resinous flooring over concrete.

Stonhard is recognized globally for solving flooring problems. We are the world’s largest turnkey, seamless flooring contractor committed to comprehensive management of each project from construction documentation to the final details. No hidden costs, no sudden change orders and scrupulous attention to details.