If you have an epoxy floor, you know what’s so great about them: high water resistance cost effectiveness, easy to maintain—you name it.
But you’re probably aware of the caveats, too. Cut the curing too short? Forgot to regulate humidity? Didn’t hire a professional?
Now you have a chip. Or a crack. Or air bubbles. Or maybe it even starts to peel. Your extravagant, smooth floor is completely ruined . . . right? Not exactly. It’s an inconvenience, sure. But don’t throw in the towel just yet. You may be able to fix it with a few steps.
If Your Floor Has a Crack or Chip
This is probably the most common issue seen with epoxy floors. A little crack here or there is absolutely nothing to worry about. A high-quality epoxy patching kit will make it seem like it was never even there.
Mortar will also get the job done quite well, but it will take a little longer to apply. Let it cure completely; this will usually take around 60 days or so, and it is not recommended to wait for any less. Once cured, apply a new coat of epoxy.
If the damage surpasses a small crack or chip, it is most likely better to be completely resurfaced. Before this process, you must prepare the floor by sweeping it so that no debris remains, and then applying a grease-cutting cleaner. Fill in the crack(s) as described before, but with a fast-setting patcher. Once that is cured, you are clear to apply a new coat of epoxy.
If Your Floor Has Bubbles
These are usually caused by an incorrectly mixed epoxy solution, a smooth surface below the epoxy, or a change in temperature through a process called “outgassing” where air escapes from the concrete layer below the epoxy.
Unfortunately, the best way to repair the cosmetic damage caused by outgassing is to relayer the epoxy, and it will take some time. Make sure the current layer is set before removing the epoxy with a grinder or scrubber and wipe down the applied area with an epoxy remover. Then, make sure the problems stated above are taken care of before reapplying.
If Your Floor Is Discolored
This is also a fairly common issue with epoxy, as there are many reasons it can happen, such as sufficient exposure to UV rays. Luckily, it’s also an easy fix. Use a tinted sealer to patch spots or treat the whole floor. Let it dry for 3-4 hours, and it should be good to go after.
If Your Floor Is Peeling
This is a problem that occurs more frequently if your floor is in a garage. The cooling of tires causes peeling and weathering on the epoxy floor. It also may occur due to improper installation or old age.
As with the solution to air bubbles, the best result will come from removing the current coating with a scrubber or grinder and cleansing the floor with an acidic cleaner before redoing the coating. Unfortunately, this is, again, a must if you desire an aesthetically-pleasing floor.
So, Should I Replace My Epoxy Floor?
If you’ve just got a small chip or some light spots, it’s an easier fix than you think. And as outlined above, you can get the job done yourself and enjoy your epoxy floor almost as good as new as it once was.
If there is major cosmetic damage to the floor, such as air bubbles or a large fissure, then the best course of action is to redo the epoxy coating. If you worked with the right team from the start (such as Coating Designs), then you might be in luck, because we offer a 25-year warranty on our floors. Whether or not you’ve worked with us in the past, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free quote to repair or replace your epoxy floor.
About Coating Designs
We are a locally owned group of trained and certified professional installers of decorative finishes such as Epoxy, Polyaspartic, Acrylics, and other resins. We implement a 6-step process when coating your floor which is not only cutting-edge but also highly cost-effective. Installations are complete in one day, and we back your coating with a 25-year warranty to ensure great service for a lifetime.
Visit our website or get in touch today to learn more about why Coating Designs is the #1 concrete coating company in Orange County, FL.