Epoxy and polyaspartic floor coatings are excellent investments for anyone looking to protect and enhance their garage. Their main purpose is to protect the existing concrete from abrasion, cracks, impact, stains, chemicals, and general wear and tear. Many choose to install a garage coating simply for aesthetic purposes, as they are customizable in color and finish.
An epoxy garage coating transforms the space to appear brighter, cleaner, and altogether more attractive. A coating also increases safety by adding a slip-resistant layer, making it a great addition for a house with children or for someone who uses their garage as a workspace.
Importance of Maintenance
While garage coatings are extremely durable, they’re not indestructible. Regular maintenance is the best step you can take toward extending the life of your garage floor coating. Consider the following tips to preserve and maximize your floor’s lifespan:
Tip #1: Protect Your Garage Floor Coating
Protective mats are a simple, proactive approach to extending the life of your garage floor. Rubber mats are affordable, and they reduce wear and tear in high-use areas. We recommend placing mats under heavy machinery, objects that may rust, and near entry points to catch salt and dirt on shoes before it’s tracked onto the garage floor.
Don’t let chemicals sit directly on the floor coating. Instead, use shelving or mats for harsh chemicals or liquids with the potential to stain. While coatings are stain and chemical-resistant, allowing hazardous substances to remain on the floor can deteriorate the coating. The best practice to protect your floor is to wipe up the spills immediately with a towel or cloth. For a large amount of standing liquid, absorb the liquid with sawdust or kitty litter before cleaning it up.
Tip #2: Clean Your Garage Floor Coating
It’s very important to keep a clean floor. Experts emphasize regular sweeping with a wide push broom to reduce abrasion caused by dust, dirt, and salts. After the floor has been soiled, use a microfiber mop, warm water, and a mild detergent, like diluted ammonia. Ammonia should be diluted to 2-3 oz per gallon. Though epoxy and polyaspartic coatings are very resilient, you still want to be as gentle as possible when cleaning them. Use pH-neutral cleaning agents and non-abrasive materials.
Sometimes vehicles and machinery leave behind oil or grease stains. Lightly scrub the floor with a deck brush or soft scrub pad and a concrete degreaser, making sure you thoroughly rinse the area afterward.
Tip #3: Repair Any Damage
Even with the best protection and cleaning practices, it is possible for your floor to be damaged. You can patch small fissures with mortar. Using a trowel, fill the crack or chipped area with fresh mortar. Then, scrape away the excess mortar. Allow the mortar to fully cure before applying any sort of coating over top.
Tip #4: Re-Coating Your Garage Floor
The timing for recoating a garage depends on several factors, such as the type of coating, exposure to sunlight, and the amount of traffic. Inspect your floor for signs that need recoating annually. Look for fading and discoloration of the coating, which can be caused by UV exposure. Discoloration can also be caused by oil, grease, and chemical stains.
General wear and tear is another sign that it’s time to recoat your garage, especially if the coating is peeling or bubbling. You might notice that excessive abrasion or harsh cleaning chemicals caused the shine to wear down. While maybe not completely necessary, a new coat can bring a lackluster floor back to life.
Final Thoughts
Your garage floor coating’s longevity depends on your actions and efforts. Be proactive and use protective mats. Watch what products you use, as chemicals can affect your floor’s shine. Clean regularly. When in doubt, call a professional for advice or recoating service.
Get Expert Advice from Coating Designs
If you’re looking to coat your garage floor or if you have questions about your property, Coating Designs is here to help! Call us at (888) 837-6998 to schedule a free evaluation and estimate for your project today.
More About Coating Designs
A floor coating preserves your garage floor and beautifies the space, and a little maintenance goes a long way in making it last. Coating Designs is a highly-skilled, certified team of professionals that specializes in epoxy and polyaspartic urethane concrete coatings.
Our mission is to provide cost-effective, cutting-edge concrete coating service to Orange County, Florida, and the surrounding areas. We’re not satisfied unless you’re satisfied, so we offer a 25-year warranty on our flooring installations.