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 for 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.

On the Web, individuals and project managers can obtain free,

job-specific

quotes on materials or nationwide turnkey installations by completing

a

simple questionnaire at www.concrete-floor-coatings.com.

For photo examples and more detail, visit

www.concrete-floor-coatings.com

For more information, contact Harvey Chichester at:

harvey@concrete-floor-coatings.com

Phone: 1-800-466-8910 or 952-888-1488 (24/7)

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