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Frequently Asked Questions for Epoxy Flooring Systems
Why use epoxy and polyurethane? Some companies just use epoxy.
While epoxy is the ideal material at attach to freshly profiled
concrete, polyurethane provides a resistance to ultra-violet rays, abrasion,
chemicals, and aids long-term durability, maintenance and shine.
Do you treat new or old concrete differently? How is the floor prepared?
All concrete floors are prepared the same way. We start
by degreasing the floor and repairing any cracks, chips, holes, or broken
concrete. Next the floor is profiled by shot-blasting and hand grinding.
I have some small cracks in my floor. What will be done with these?
All cracks, chips and pitting will be repaired before epoxy
is applied.
Do you use acid to prepare the floor?
We do not use acid to prepare floors. While acid is a much
less expensive method, it has unacceptable side effects. Concrete is
porous. When viewed under magnification it resembles a sponge. After
applying an acid wash, no matter how thoroughly it is rinsed, it is
impossible to get the entire residue out of the surface. This will present
an adhesion problem in the future. Also, acid is typically washed down
the drain. Not only does it require a lot of water, it can be dangerous
to plants and grasses in your yard, not to mention the damage it can
do to our rivers and lakes - and our people!! Even "neutralized" acid
introduces many harmful chemicals into our water system.
How long will my floor last?
Under normal circumstances a properly maintained floor should
have a life expectancy of 15 - 20 years. A new polyurethane topcoat
will likely be needed every 7 - 10 years, depending on usage.
What is the Warranty?
All covered residential flooring carries a two year limited
warranty against peeling, staining or material defects.
The epoxy floor sounds very strong. What can damage it?
Anything that breaks the concrete will damage the epoxy.
If a heavy item like a hammer or bowling ball strikes with enough force,
the concrete will fail. Anytime the concrete fails, the epoxy will be
damaged.
How long does the entire process take, and when can I put my car
back in the garage?
For solid-color floors the installation process takes 2 days. Foot
traffic is acceptable on the 3rd day, and vehicle traffic on the 5th
day.
On Quartz Granite floors, the installation process takes 4 days.
Foot traffic is acceptable on the 5th day, and vehicle traffic on the
8th day.
What happens to the contents of my garage while the floor is being
coated?
It is most time-effective if the homeowner can have the
garage totally empty when we arrive. If that is not feasible, we will
bring a portable, secure metal container to hold the garage contents.
The container will remain on-site until the work is complete.
What does the homeowner need to provide during the installation?
We will bring our own power, tools, and supplies. Access
to an outside water faucet for clean up will be appreciated.
How will my home be protected from the dust and the smell?
At the start of the job, we will seal any doors and vents
that lead into the home. All of our profiling equipment is used with
a dust collection system. Dust is kept to a minimum. The polyurethane
emits a strong odor, but the door seal blocks the majority of the smell.
Odors typically dissipate overnight.
Why would I choose the Quartz Granite over a Solid Color?
The primary reason is appearance. The quartz granite in
installed in layers that gives the floor a rich, deep finish. As a result,
the floor "hides" dust, dirt, and sand from view. Also, the multiple
layers of material applied with quartz granite floors provide more impact
and scratch resistance.
What is the best method to clean my new floor?
For light cleaning, a dust mop, broom, or blower will do
nicely. For heavier cleanings, a damp mop with a light ammonia / water
mixture (6 ounces ammonia per gallon) will suffice. Avoid using soap
on your floor.
Is the floor slippery?
During the topcoats, we will apply non-slip additives to
keep your floor safe. However, we strongly discourage the use of soap
on the floors. Soap leaves a film that can become very slippery when
wet
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