Updated at: 06-07-2022 - By: cnbusinessnews

As a precaution, you should know how to repair water-damaged epoxy concrete flooring. Because the epoxy isn’t completely impervious, we’ve supplied instructions on how to fix it. Our guide to epoxy flooring restoration also included information on how water affects epoxy flooring, what to look for, and how much it costs to fix.

What Is Epoxy Flooring?

A thermosetting epoxide resin and a polyamine hardener are used to make epoxy flooring. A chemical reaction occurs when the two ingredients are combined, kicking off the curing process. When a chemical reaction takes place, a stable and long-lasting layer is formed on the surface.

What Causes Damage to Epoxy Flooring

Stained or wet concrete

If your concrete is old and utilized, there is a good probability that it has been contaminated with oil, chemicals, and water. Porous concrete absorbs liquids, causing stains and permanently increasing the moisture content of the material. The problem here is that moisture is trapped if an epoxy coating is applied on top of it. This might produce bubbling and flaking in your floor if the liquids separate from the concrete. Before applying an epoxy floor finish, be sure to remove any stains.

  • In order to determine how much water is in the floor, you can place plastic on the surface for 24 hours. If, after removing the tape, you see condensation on the plastic’s underside, your floor has too much moisture for epoxy to adhere properly. This is when you should speak with a specialist like Smith and Company about your alternatives.
  • Ensure that any cleaning products used are removed before removing stains. Residue from these substances may prevent a complete bonding between the concrete and epoxy. Do not let the cleaners dry on the concrete, since this just serves to increase the moisture content. Use a cloth or rag to soak up cleaning solutions instead.

Sealant on concrete

The epoxy will not adhere correctly to your concrete floor if it has been sealed. To avoid bubbles and flakes down the road, avoid this.

How To Repair Water Damaged Epoxy Concrete Floors: 5 Steps - Krostrade

To see if your floor has a sealer on it, all you have to do is pour some water on it. A thin layer of sealant may be covering the concrete, preventing water from penetrating the surface. If this is the case, it must be removed.

New concrete

Before putting an epoxy coat to newly poured concrete, ensure that it has had enough time to cure. The moisture in the concrete, as previously indicated, will cause issues if it is not entirely cured.

Improper installation

If you don’t get the science of epoxy coating correct, you could end up with a subpar end product. A “skin” or bubbles may form on top of the coating if it is not applied at the correct temperature or is cooled down too soon. A sticky or bendable surface may result from an incorrect mixing procedure.

Hire a reputable company like Smith and Company, which has a long history of satisfied customers and a stellar reputation.

Excessive humidity

It’s not a good idea to lay an epoxy floor if the outside humidity is above 60%. During the curing process, it is possible for condensation to form on the floor, resulting in a dull surface.

Recommendation: Avoid scheduling your epoxy floor installation for the rainy or humid seasons. It is best to wait till the dry season to get the gleaming floor you are paying for.

As a general rule, avoid dampness at all costs, and enlist the help of a specialist. Because of this, you won’t have to worry about your floor being damaged in the future. To ensure your concrete is correctly prepared for epoxy flooring, please contact us if you have any queries regarding our procedures or your concrete.

Steps In Repairing Water Damaged Epoxy Concrete Floors

Step #1. Remove the water

Get rid of everything that might get in the way of a thorough cleaning. Using a dry cloth, remove any water that has pooled on your concrete floor. A sump pump can be used if the problem is more serious.

Step #2. Assess the damage

You can see the harm, but you can’t properly evaluate it on its own. Moisture testing can help you determine the extent of damage to your concrete. The concrete slab’s surface and subsurface can both be checked for moisture levels.

If you suspect a leak after inspecting the damage, call a professional. Leaks are difficult to repair since they can’t always be noticed.

Step #3. Fix the damage

A simple repair will be possible in cases where just superficial damage has occurred. Use a compound that matches the color of your floor to repair concrete that has cracked.

Then, apply the patching compound to the area that has been damaged by a spall. Make sure to wait for the mixture to dry before sanding the area.

Alternatively, you can take out the old slab and install a new one. This, on the other hand, would appear overly burdensome and consume a significant amount of your time.

Step #4. Prevent damage

If you want to keep moisture from causing spalling in your concrete floors, you’ll want to seal them. After 28 days, apply a penetrating waterproofing sealant to the concrete. This should be done around every few years.

Step #5. Remove mold

If mold is a problem for you, there is an additional precaution you should take. It’s advisable to avoid scrubbing moldy concrete because you could spread mold spores all over the place.

Instead, kill the mold with a bleach-water solution or a mold-killing detergent. Make sure the detergent or solution reaches the concrete’s pores by scrubbing thoroughly.

How water damages your epoxy covered floors

After the concrete has been poured, your epoxy flooring may get moist. As a result of the moisture being trapped, damage to the surface and the concrete slab will both result.

In some cases, the harm is only superficial. If you don’t address the problem right away, you could end up with smaller problems like bubbles, mildew, discoloration, and softening of the coating. The salt bloom or efflorescence could cause much more epoxy flooring harm.

Occasionally, water can cause damage even if the fault isn’t with the concrete pouring itself. Epoxy-coated concrete’s fissures might become clogged with soil moisture from beneath the flooring.

Internal water damage to your flooring can be undetected for long periods of time. This is why we’ve provided pictures of your epoxy flooring showing evidence of water damage below.

Signs that your epoxy flooring is water damaged

Cracking

Water penetration is not the only factor that causes cracks. However, they could be a warning. Water damage from leaks in your ceiling and walls, or liquid spills, might be a result.

You should repair any fractures in your epoxy-coated concrete as soon as possible in order to prevent moisture from getting in.

Discoloration

In the event that you notice discolored areas on the floor, moisture may have harmed the surface.

Mold growth

Having water seep into your concrete floor is an ideal breeding ground for mold, which thrives in moist surroundings. Water damage to epoxy-coated concrete floors is a given if mold grows on the surface of the floor.

Efflorescence

Condensed water vapor with salt deposits is known as moisture. It’s an indication of more serious water damage if you find a white residue on the concrete’s surface or beneath it.

Spalling

When your floor begins to flake or pit, this is called spalling. This occurs as a result of water becoming frozen and expanding within the pores of the concrete. The concrete’s holes would then get larger.

Factors in Calculating Epoxy Garage Floor Cost

Epoxy garage flooring prices are affected by a number of variables. Garage size, labor expenses, application methods, materials, equipment, epoxy type, and preparation methods can all affect price variations from the national average.

Garage Size

Epoxying a 250-square-foot, one-car garage might run anything from $750 to $3,000. Between $1,200 and $6,500 might be spent on a 400- to 500-square-foot garage. Epoxy coatings are more expensive for larger surfaces. The cheaper options are solvent and water-based epoxy.

Labor Cost

Per-square-foot labor rates range from $1 to $7 per hour. Preparing the space can take two people a day and cost around $500 to do. Preparation, coating, and sealing the floor all take a day, therefore labor costs for epoxying garage floors are considerable.

Application Method

Epoxy application can be done with a roller or squeegee or trowel or sprayer, depending on the manner of application. Ask the concrete professional who will be installing the epoxy flooring about application procedures because some are more labor-intensive (and hence more expensive) than others.

How to Repair Epoxy Floor Coating | One Day Custom Floors • Concrete Resurfacing & Floor Coatings

Materials and Equipment

Between $0.37 and $1.40 per square foot, depending on the epoxy used, epoxy flooring materials are available. It costs $1.40 per square foot for solid epoxy and $0.37 to $1.20 per square foot for water-based epoxy, which is less expensive. Spiked shoes, different-sized squeegees and notched rollers, rollers, and spiked rollers to minimize air bubbles are some of the equipment that may be utilized. Also included are shop vacs, power washers, and hand tools.

Type of Epoxy

Epoxy garage floor costs vary depending on the epoxy utilized. The cheapest alternative is water-based epoxy, which costs between $30 and $50 per gallon. The price of solvent-based epoxy is roughly $45 per gallon. In terms of cost, solid epoxy is the priciest and can cost up to $150 per gallon.

Site Preparation

The garage must be cleared of all its items before any flooring preparation can begin. Items on the floor and on shelves around the perimeter are included in this category. Moving these goods yourself can save you money.

Additional Costs and Considerations

There are extra price aspects and considerations when budgeting for epoxy garage floor expenses. Painting and sealing concrete, storing your belongings, mending concrete, resurfacing, and traffic coating are just some of the options that can be used for these purposes.

Painting and Sealing Concrete

Not including labor, sealing concrete with urethane or high-performance epoxy costs anywhere from $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot, not including materials. Acrylic resin or penetrating silicone can be used at a cost of $1.50 per square foot to seal a concrete floor. Painting a concrete floor will run you anywhere from $1.45 to $3 per square foot more than you’d expect to pay otherwise.

Storing Possessions

You may need a place to store your items after the garage has been cleaned out. The monthly cost of a storage unit ranges from $20 to $450. Costs for hiring a moving firm range from $40 per hour for one mover to $20 per day for a 12-foot moving truck including mileage fees.

Repairing Concrete

Prior to applying epoxy, the garage floor needs to be fixed if it has chips, cracks, or disintegrating. Patching can cost anywhere from $25 to $250 for supplies and labor, depending on the extent of the damage. The foundation must be fixed if fissures in the floor are caused by foundation difficulties. Fundament repairs may cost anything between $8,000 and $30,000.

Resurfacing

Concrete resurfacing can cost anything from $3 to $10 per square foot, which includes the cost of the resurfacing itself. In the $1,500-$5,000 range, you can get a garage floor that’s 500 square feet in size. Be aware that some contractors have a $500 to $1,000 minimum fee.

Traffic Coating

Investing in a commercial-grade floor covering may be worthwhile if you park big vehicles like an RV, tractor, or dual-axle truck and trailer in your garage. Using polyurea or 100% solid epoxy will be able to withstand the bigger trucks. The more expensive, higher-quality sealant will last longer, so it’s worth the extra money.

Epoxy Garage Floor Cost: Types of Epoxy

Garage flooring epoxy prices might vary widely depending on the type you select. Epoxy comes in three flavors: water-based, solvent-based, and solid.

Water-Based

Epoxy water-based flooring is the least expensive alternative. Water, epoxy, and a hardener make up this mixture. Water is evaporating from the epoxy as it cures. This epoxy is thin, easy to apply, long-lasting, and low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (volatile organic compounds). For the most part, water-based epoxy is only resistant to small scratches and chemical damage, and it requires reapplication every year or two. The price per gallon might range from $30 to $50.

Solvent-Based Epoxy

Epoxy based on a solvent is more durable than epoxy based on water, is more resistant to petroleum-based products, and can be used in humid or cold conditions. Respirators are required for solvent-based epoxy coating since it is very combustible throughout the application procedure. Because of the high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in solvent-based epoxy, some jurisdictions have outlawed it. Be sure to check if this type of epoxy is still available where you live. The price per gallon is around $45

Solid Epoxy

In terms of flooring epoxy, solid epoxy is the most expensive, but it’s also the most durable and sturdy alternative available. In comparison to water-based and solvent-based epoxy, this is a much thicker epoxy. For the environment, it’s free of VOCs, and it is resistant to heat, chemicals, and scratching. Epoxy that is solid can last for up to 20 years. It needs to be installed swiftly, hence a specialist is needed to do it. Solid epoxy should not be used in regions where there is a lot of moisture or if the temperature is too high. Depending on where you live, you may be paying anything from $45 to $150 a gallon.

Benefits of an Epoxy Garage Floor Coating

The ideal finish for a garage floor is epoxy floor finishing. It can withstand collisions, chemicals, scratches, and stains while remaining shiny and easy to clean.

Improved Appearance

Concrete garage floors can be transformed into shiny, reflective surfaces by applying an epoxy floor coating. With a variety of patterns and colors to choose from, epoxy may be tailored to fit your home’s style. Additionally, defects in the concrete or small cracks in the flooring can be concealed with this technique as well.

Cost-Effective

This flooring option provides value compared to other flooring options and coatings. Compared to other materials, it’s less expensive and more durable. Epoxy coating is less expensive than acquiring tile or vinyl and paying for installation fees.

Long-Lasting

For garage flooring, epoxy coating is more durable than other alternatives. Since epoxy is so long-lasting and durable, its gloss and appearance will continue for many years to come as well. Unlike other materials, this one is resistant to chemicals, water shocks, and stains. It’s also easy to clean and maintain.

Protection and Strength

As a sealer, epoxy protects the concrete floor beneath it from the weather. It is because epoxy adheres so well to the concrete’s surface that it will help the floor stay longer. Strengthening and protecting the concrete from cracks and wear is achieved by using this method. Concrete floors that have been coated with epoxy are stronger and more able to withstand heavy loads than untreated concrete. Over time, it is resistant to tearing or peeling when the epoxy is put on correctly.

How Patch Epoxy Floor Damage | My Decorative

Safety and Visibility

A garage’s visibility is improved by using epoxy flooring. Many epoxy coatings have a high gloss that lends a polished appearance. The extra light that comes from this reflective surface might help keep you and your family safe in the garage. Additives with anti-slip and increased traction can be used in epoxy flooring. Epoxy can be supplemented with sand, gravel, mortar, polymer grit, and aluminum oxide to improve traction and prevent slips. You can ask your flooring contractor to add an anti-slip chemical to your floor.

Easy Maintenance

To keep epoxy floor coverings in good condition, simply mop them. A moderate cleaning solution or soap and water can be used to remove dirt, dust, and debris before utilizing a vacuum or a broom. Epoxy flooring is resistant to chemical, oil, water, and grease spills, and it can be cleaned up without leaving a stain.

Compatible With Vehicles

Tires will not be damaged or worn down by epoxy flooring’s smooth surface. Epoxy-coated concrete has a higher tensile strength than plain concrete, thus the weight of cars and trucks may be supported without cracking or corroding. You can change your car’s oil in the garage with epoxy flooring since it won’t stain from spills, leaks, or drips.

Eco-Friendliness

Due to its low material requirements and lack of frequent replacement, epoxy flooring is considered environmentally benign. It takes less energy to apply epoxy coatings than to install new tile or vinyl flooring, and water-based and solid epoxy have a low or no VOC content. For these reasons, epoxy flooring is seen as a more environmentally friendly choice than other types of flooring.

Epoxy Garage Floor Cost: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

The right preparation of the concrete floor, attention to detail, and patience are necessary for applying an epoxy coating to a garage floor. In order to properly install epoxy, you’ll need a specialist with experience in concrete flooring. In order to assure the product’s long-term viability and durability, an epoxy coating must be applied by a trained professional. Home improvement retailers sell DIY epoxy flooring kits ranging in price from $50 to $600. To apply epoxy, you’ll need a patching mix for concrete, application equipment, cleaner and degreaser, and epoxy sealant if you buy the epoxy separately. Hire a professional to avoid any blunders that a DIYer can make if they lack the necessary knowledge and experience.

How to Save Money on Epoxy Garage Floor Cost

Additionally, the additional expenses incurred by the project can soon escalate. There are many ways to save money on epoxy garage floor expenses without sacrificing quality, such as using the lowest materials.

  • Get a variety of quotes. A good rule of thumb is to get at least three quotes from local concrete flooring businesses. Free estimates are common, but always check with the company to be on the safe side.
  • It’s important to get the timing correct. If possible, plan to complete the project in the late autumn or winter. Getting a reduced price from a contractor is easy if you catch them when they are having a slow period.
  • Negotiate. It’s possible to get a better deal on flooring by negotiating with the company. Costs for some can be reduced by as much as 20%.
  • Try to do part of the work on your own. Moving everything from the garage to a storage facility on your own will save you money on moving labor. This can help you save money on moving services.
  • Bundle. If you’re building or rebuilding a garage, epoxying the floor can save you money. It’s possible to get a reduction on the cost of epoxy floor installation because the contractors are already at your home.

FAQs

Can epoxy flooring be damaged by water?

Grease, oil, or water can destroy epoxy flooring, despite their extraordinary toughness. Even if the damage isn’t immediate, you should clean up the messes you make before they become a problem. Your epoxy floor might begin to disintegrate if left for too long.

Can epoxy floor be recoated?

Reapplying epoxy to a damaged epoxy finish is possible, but only if the surface is properly prepared first. Using a grease-cutting detergent to remove the thin coating of oil that may have built up but is otherwise undetectable is essential to this preparation.

Can you reseal epoxy floor?

You certainly can. It must be applied within 24 hours of EpoxyShield Pro application. After that, you’ll need to use 120 grit sandpaper to degloss and rough up the surface before applying Rexthane I.

How much does it cost to epoxy a two-car garage?

It will cost between $1,200 and $6,000 to epoxy a 400 to 500-square-foot two-car garage.

How long will the epoxy garage floor last?

If properly cared for, epoxy flooring can last between 10 and 12 years. Solid epoxy floors have a 20-year lifespan.

What’s cheaper: epoxy flooring or tiles?

Garage floor tiles can cost between $2 and $4 per square foot, whereas epoxy can cost between $3 and $12 per square foot.

Conclusion

Water-damaged epoxy concrete floors can now be repaired at the surface level after learning how to do so. We sincerely hope you found our water damage information to be beneficial.