Ask The Concrete Expert

There are three main determining factors to look at when determining how much self-leveling resin, most often 100% solids epoxy, a concrete floor requires. The first is condition of the surface. A rough eroded surface will require more resin to self level than a new concrete slab. The second is preparation. Aggressive forms of preparation such as scarification may require ¼ inch (250 mils) of material and shot blasted new or like new concrete slab may require 12-20 mils of material. An acid etched or diamond ground floor will likely require even less. The last factor to consider is wear. The thicker a floor the longer it will take to wear through the floor coating. It may be helpful in these cases to use a urethane topcoat. Urethane has roughly twice the abrasion resistance of epoxy for the same dry film thickness with some high traffic urethanes having four times the abrasion resistance of epoxy.

Will welding damage my epoxy floor?

Yes, welding sparks can be in excess of 1500 degrees F. Standard epoxy floors are designed to withstand temperatures up to 250 degrees and some high temperature systems such as urethane mortars up to 360 degrees. These sparks will result in burn marks not unlike cigarette burns. While most if not all resinous floors on the market are self extinguishing if you get it hot enough it will melt and burn. I recommend the protection of you floor with the use of steel plates for weld areas or welding blanket for the occasional weld available from your local welding supply company.

Why do some tires stain / discolor resinous floors?

There are occasions when high performance tires found on exotic sports cars and aircraft leach an anti-ozonant compound, in the tire as part of the vulcanization process, into the coating. This is rare however it has been are experience that Speed rated Tires W, Y and Z are more likely to stain than their more common counterparts. We recommend protecting your floor when storing any vehicle for extended periods or vehicles with W, Y and Z rated on parking pads as prevention.

What can you do to improve the quality of installation and save money on installation?

Industrial floor coatings are designed for durability, chemical resistance, concrete restoration, and appearance. Most are far from user friendly and not designed for do it yourself applicators. Application consists of a great deal more than rolling on a coat of paint. Helping an installer control the application environment can greatly improve the results of the coating installation. While installers can work around these issues such as by using cold temperature products on cold concrete these will add to the cost of installation.

Heat

Quoted dry times are based on 75 degrees F and 50% Relative humidity. The range of 60-80 degrees F is generally acceptable for most applications. Colder temperatures will require increased dry times, warmer temperatures will reduce dry times, but may reduce the ability of some products to “self level”.

Light

Adequate lighting is necessary for the best possible application of product. Especially in the case of new construction temporary lighting may not be sufficient to highlight application flaws that under standard lighting may become more apparent.

Power

In all applications 110-volt electricity is required. In some cases 440V 3-phase (20 amp), 220 1-phase (20 amp) or a combination of the two will be required within 150ft of the area to be coated. If this might be a problem please let us know so that we may take appropriate action.

Water

On site access to water is necessary for applications to be wet prepped by scrubbing and/or etching (not including shotblasting or scarifying unless otherwise stated).

Cleaning

Site is to be free of equipment, materials, and supplies PRIOR to crew arrival. Please allow a two foot “buffer” around areas to be coated whenever possible to allow for over cleaning. In the event objects are not moved or are unable to be moved our crews have been instructed to coat up to and around these areas.

Sweeping

The customer shall also be responsible for broom cleaning prior to coating.

Stains

The owner is responsible to remove any paint over spray, concrete spillage, or stains prior to coating. These may not be completely removed during the preparation process unless otherwise stated. In the case of clear coatings remember that the finish will highlight and inconsistencies or irregularities.

Moisture

Please notify Vanguard if area to be coated has been exposed to standing water or is less than 28 days old prior to coating so that we may do anything necessary to provide our coating the best possible bond and ultimate coating lifespan. Please confirm that all valves, pipes, tanks, roofs (yes, roofs) etc. are not leaking to avoid damage to wet coating.

Storage

In some cases it may be necessary for the customer to provide a storage area for floor treatment materials as they arrive. In some cases this storage area must be suitable for the storage area of flammable, corrosive and combustible materials. If storage is required you will be notified prior to its arrival.

Safety

The customer is responsible to establish and maintain safeguards as are necessary for the protection of its employees, its equipment or personal property and the public on the job site. Vanguard will protect and identify coated areas with caution tape. Unfortunately many individuals choose to ignore this identification and walk on soon to be or already coated floors, which may affect bond to concrete, create unsightly foot-prints in or around the floor, cause injury. Please speak with any individuals that may be at or around the job site before or arrival as we are not responsible for damage to the floor or persons for failure to observe posted cautions.

Waste Disposal

Unless otherwise stated the customer must provide a Dumpster for disposal of waste generated on the job site. In the case of mechanical preparation such as Shotblasting, scarification, or grinding concrete dust will be generated. In the case of product containers unless otherwise stated all products used by Vanguard are non-hazardous when dried. In some cases it may be necessary to allow for these materials to dry prior to placement in dumpsters. All cleaners and detergents use by Vanguard are “sewer safe” and will be sent down a sanitary sewer. If this is a problem please contact Vanguard so that other arrangements may be made.

Vanguard Concrete Coating
229 Crescent NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
Phone: 616-742-1540
Fax: 616-742-3793
Ian@vanguardconcretecoating.com

© Copyright 2010. All rights reserved by Vanguard Concrete Coating of Grand Rapids, MI. For residential floors our service area includes the Central, Southwest, & West Michigan cities of Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Traverse City, Mount Pleasant, Midland, Bay City, Saginaw, Flint, Howell, Jackson, Lansing, Kalamazoo, South Haven, Holland, Grand Haven and small cites in-between. For industrial & commercial clients we service a larger area including Detroit & Ann Arbor, Ohio / OH, Northern Indiana / IN, and Northeastern Illinois / IL cities.

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