After experiencing lifting and pealing of floor products, many industries have reduced their expectations for shop floor life to three or four years. This is unfortunate because epoxy floors have an intrinsic service period of a decade or more if the subfloor is properly prepared prior to laying down the coating. Even new floors require proper preparation before a seal coating is applied. New concrete is dusty or the first few years as the microscopic latents are kicked off the surface. If concrete is exposed to wear, it will eventually deteriorate. Friction wear, erosion, and contamination all play a role. Dust, cracks, crumbling, rough surfaces, and the inability to keep the environment clean are symptoms of a floor that has not been protected and is moving towards an unserviceable condition. The secret to success in producing floors that last a decade or more is paying attention to the preparation process. Instead of using simple raw materials like hydrochloric acid and tri-sodium phosphate, it is better to employ cleaners that have penetrants, rinse agents, and detergents built-in. Such specialty products ensure that the etching and cleaning of the subfloor results in a strongly bonded epoxy layer. Mission-critical sites in industries such as printing, food processing, air travel, and breweries rely on decade-old epoxy floors that are used 24 hours per day. Recently, at least one manufacturer has begun providing kits of materials customized to owner specification and delivered directly to the job site. These kits include full directions and 24/7 help lines staffed by seasoned flooring experts, so professionals and amateurs alike can successfully install a quality floor. |
