What is Epoxy Floor Coating Houston https://t.co/V7sAf1azx4
— Floor ReNew Houston (@floorrenew) June 11, 2016
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You will find that as you start comparing different epoxy coatings that like paint, they are not all equal. You will see that there are different types of epoxy too such as solvent based and water based epoxy. Prices will vary as well with each kit, and bear in mind that if you are looking for quality, going for lower pricing is not best. So with all these options, how are you to know what one is best for you and your needs?
It is most important to become knowledgeable of the basic properties of the epoxy floor coating before you go about applying one to your garage floor or even hiring a professional to do it for you. Gaining the knowledge needed will help you greatly with making a decision of which is best to suit your needs. So let’s get down to the nitty gritty about the differences between all of these.
The use of Carrier Agents in epoxy:
You will find that water and solvents are what is typically used as carrier agents for some of the epoxy resins and they would assist in the adhesion, self-leveling properties, and ease of the application. They also give you a longer “pot life” which means that once you mix the two components together, the epoxy starts the curing process. This only gives you so long to get the epoxy applied to your garage floor, but these carriers help prolong that “pot life” so that you have a little longer to get it applied.
These have been found to be much more DIYer friendly because of the ease of application. You will find that the average “pot life” is about 2 hours, which means you have that long to apply it to the garage floor. It will roll on smoothly just like paint during these 2 hours.
Water based vs. Solvent based epoxy:
Solvent used to be the more popular of the carrier agents to be used in epoxy coating. It could be applied during cooler temperatures and within higher humidity. It also does a better job with tolerating petroleum contaminates within the concrete surface. It once use to have a glossier surface than the water based epoxy and is some of the cases is much more durable.
There was a big problem with solvent-based epoxy though. The high VOC’s content, which is volatile organic compounds. It cannot be used indoors without proper ventilation due to all of the fumes. If you are applying one in a garage, it is best to have the proper respirators worn during the entire process. Also, kept away from all open flames such as a furnace or water heater.
Many states throughout the United States does not allow solvent based epoxy due to the high VOC’s unless it is one that has lower VOC’s. Which if the VOC’s are lessened, then this makes the solvent based epoxy less in quality than one with higher VOC’s.
Water-based epoxy have really grown and flourished from ones in the past. Especially since the US has started prohibiting products with high VOC’s. It has become the more prominent epoxy than the solvent based. Some of the water based epoxy products have been found to be just as durable as most of the solvent based and give off just as much shine. What is also nice about the water-based products is that they do not produce any fumes or odor, which makes them very environmentally safe.
Another known fact is that some water based epoxies can be applied to a concrete floor that is still damp and make a good sealant that helps stop the hydrostatic pressure from the moisture vapor transmission. Which is why you will find most epoxy primers are water based.
100% solids epoxy:
With 100% solids epoxies do not have any water or solvents in it that will need to evaporate. Due to this, once it has cured and completely dried it will be much thicker. Like water-based products, there is no worry about VOC’s, which also makes them environmentally friends, and the coating cures mainly by chemical catalization.
100% solids epoxies are much more resistant to abrasion, chemicals, and stains which is one big and main reason why this type is used often for commercial use. They are also very long lasting, some as long as 20 years or even more. It makes them the most durable of the garage floor epoxies.
Due to their thicker consistency, they have a shorter “pot life” which is anywhere from 30-40 minutes instead of 2 hours that the water and solvent based epoxies have. Which makes these much more difficult to work with. Though these can be done as a DIY, it is always best that who is applying this type of epoxy is one that is very confident in their skills.
That explains the differences between the different types of epoxies. The last little tip before closing is to make sure that you take a look at the technical data sheets, or TDS for the product. They are easily found online or ask an associate at the store.
If you are ever in doubt, you can always reach out to a professional like Floor ReNew Houston for more information or to even possibly schedule an appointment today. Floor ReNew Houston 4530 W. 34th Street Suite C Houston, TX 77092 (713) 418-9983 via Floor ReNew Houston http://ift.tt/1toQj1r Epoxy is known for its durability, low maintenance, and strength, and because of this, it is commonly used in garages. With it being very resistant towards many things such as dust, moisture, and more, applying it to a garage floor is perfect.
Epoxy is made out of polymer materials that generally begin out as liquids and then are chemically changed into a solid. These epoxy based polymer are mechanically strong, making them resistant to degradation from chemical elements that are in solid form and highly adhesive during the conversion from liquid to solid. Epoxy coating system can be formulated from a wide range of basic epoxy chemicals.
Physical epoxy coating systems contain two main components, which are resins and hardeners. The resin component you will find is usually close to clear and almost odor free. Hardeners are usually darker in color and carry a slight odor. Once these two are mixed together, they will chemically bond together and once they are chemically bonded they form a strong and rigid plastic material.
Epoxy coating needs time to cure, which is nothing like paint drying. During this time the chemical reaction between both components is taking effect with making the epoxy a very hard and durable surface. This makes it resistant to staining, abrasion, and even chemicals.
After the curing has completed, which generally takes about 24 hours, it will thicken covering all the small imperfections and small flaws throughout the concrete itself.
There does happen to be confusion among homeowners when they are in search of an epoxy finish for their garage flooring. There is epoxy paint and epoxy coating. Usually when someone sees this they wonder if there is a difference and which one is the best recommended.
The best way to figure this out is to learn and become knowledgeable in the differences between epoxy paint, epoxy coating, and paint. Once you do, this will help clear any confusion you may have and help you with deciding.
Mainly, epoxy paints are typically a paint that has a small percentage of epoxy mixed into the paint. It will help with durability, but it is not the same as epoxy coating. Epoxy manufactures have chosen to use both terms for their products. The way you can tell the difference is that epoxy paints that only have a small portion of epoxy are usually already mixed, whereas epoxy coating has the two components that need to be mixed together.
Though you can easily purchase a kit at your local handyman store like Home Depot or Lowe’s, always do as much research as possible before making a decision on which you will like to use, baring in mind that it meets your needs and desires. Never hesitate to reach out to a professional like Floor ReNew Houston with any questions or concerns you may have. Floor ReNew Houston 4530 W. 34th Street Suite C Houston, TX 77092 (713) 418-9983 via Floor ReNew Houston http://ift.tt/1UbVLNA
Thinking about having epoxy coating applied to your garage floors? There are so many advantages to having that done, and it is very low maintenance to keep up with. It is especially nice to have in our garages down here in Houston, Texas where it seems that all dirt and debris from our yards tend to end up in the garage.
You will find if you research epoxy garage floors that they are tough and very durable. It adds the protection that your garage floors needs as well as giving that beauty that most cannot find in a garage. Making it look not only beauty, but very professional as well.
There are many different ways that you can make the epoxy floor unique to you. There are a variety of solid colors and hues as well as custom colors and blending in the color flakes that match you and your style.
The first thing that most people mistaken about epoxy coating are thinking that it is paint. It is not paint what so ever, though it is not uncommon that the paint used to paint garage floors do contain a small amount of epoxy in them. Mixing some epoxy in their latex, acrylic product helps make it a bit more durable than the regular old paint. These are named epoxy paints or 1-part epoxy paint.
Epoxy is a thermosetting resin that is applied as a coating to your garage floor. The kit comes with two parts that you must mix together to achieve epoxy. The two parts are epoxide resin and polyamine hardener, the hardener is to become a catalyst, which gives the epoxy strength.
Once you have applied the epoxy, it needs to cure. While it is curing, it produces the polymer structures that are closely cross-linked together, which gives the epoxy its superior strength and durability. Once it finishes curing, it has become much thicker than paint and bonds tenaciously to your garage flooring.
Epoxy itself is very resistant towards chipping, chemicals, impacts, stains, and surface abrasions. Just because you drop a hammer or one of the kid’s bikes fall over, you do not need to panic thinking this will cause damage to your epoxy garage floors.
Epoxy is also nice with covering up any minor imperfections throughout the garage floors. Such as small spider cracks or other flaws that can be seen.
The epoxy itself a topical sealer, which means that it, is resistant to dust as well. You will find that most dust you find in a garage is mainly from the concrete flooring shedding it. Normal traffic on the flooring can stir up this dusty powder which can track anywhere from your cars to your tools to even being tracked into the house. Having epoxy applied definitely takes care of this issue.
Another advantage with it acting as a topical sealer is that it is resistant towards moisture as well. Though we have humid summers and do not have to deal so much with snow, having it resistant towards moisture can be very helpful.
Clean up is very simple and easy to do. Any minor spills or leaks from your vehicles can be easily wiped up with a paper towel or clean cloth. Dirt and debris do not stick, as easily to epoxy like it does to regular concrete, so sweeping is much easier to do. With mopping, on average people do not need to mop more than a couple times a year. If you mop too often, you can end up with soap buildup, which can end up being very slippery if it ever gets wet.
Though there area lot of advantages to having an epoxy garage floor, there are a few things that you need to be aware of before installing. Thankfully, there is not many.
One is if you are a welder. Welding can be very hard on an epoxy floor; it can leave burn marks when hot items fall on it. Though if you use a welding mat, this will take care of this issue.
Another issue is if your garage floor has moisture issues. It is not best recommended to apply an epoxy to a garage floor with this issues as it will cause it to delaminate if the moisture vapor transmission gets too high.
Of course, if you ever have any questions or concerns with epoxy garage flooring, feel free to contact your local professional like, Floor ReNew Houston, and they can gladly answer them as well as help in any way possible. They can even apply it for you and can get your appointment set up today.
Floor ReNew Houston 4530 W. 34th Street Suite C Houston, TX 77092 (713) 418-9983 via Floor ReNew Houston http://ift.tt/1riutKX One of the great reasons for having epoxy flooring in your garage here in Houston, Texas is just how low maintenance they are. It is hard to find time to clean everything, especially if it is something that is suppose to be done nearly on a daily basis. So having an epoxy garage flooring is one less thing on your to do list.
Now even though epoxy floors are low maintenance does not mean that they can be completely forgotten about. There is some cleaning that will need to be done throughout the year in order to help keep your epoxy flooring cleaned.
Of course there will be the typical routine maintenance cleaning which you can simply use a soft bristle broom and pan or one of those commercial dust mops.
If there are any minor spills or drippings from your vehicle, you can just wipe them right up with paper towels or soft cloths. If it needs a bit more cleaning, you can hose it down and then dry it by using a squeegee.
If your epoxy floor is very dirty sweep away all the loose dirt and debris and then mop it down using a hard foam mop. With the mop you will need to use hot water and clear ammonia.
For rust stains or other types of stains, you may possibly need to light scrub with a kitchen scrubber pad. Try using just hot water with the kitchen scrubber, but if it still will not come up, try using Soft Scrub with it. Avoid using any cleansers that have abrasive chemicals in them that can cause damage to your epoxy floors.
If you plan to use any types of rolling jacks on your epoxy flooring, make sure that the entire area is clean of all dirt and debris. Or if you need to use a jack stand, make sure to place a thin piece of plywood underneath it. When welding, make sure to have a welding mat underneath your work area.
A kickstand on a motorcycle can cause some damage due to the weight from the cycle. To avoid it causing any damage or deep scratches, you can place a mouse pad for a computer underneath it.
Make sure to avoid all cleansers that contain acids or are soap-based. Cleansers with acid in them can cause damage to the coating. Cleansers that are soap-based will leave a soapy residue on the surface of the flooring, which will take away from the shine as well as become slippery when it becomes wet.
Having a doormat inside the entry door will help remove any debris or water from the bottom of your shoes that could potential cause damages to your epoxy floors.
The last little tidbit we can offer is not to over mop your floors. You really probably do not need to mop more than a couple times a year unless the floor becomes heavily soiled. If you mop too often, it will build up a soapy residue, which is not very good, and can becoming very slippery.
When in doubt, contact a professional contact us today to schedule your appointment or if you have any questions.
Floor ReNew Houston 4530 W. 34th Street Suite C Houston, TX 77092 (713) 418-9983 via Floor ReNew Houston http://ift.tt/22XFShc
To some of us living in Houston, Texas, finding a whopper of a crack in our garage may seem like the end of the world. Thoughts of how much will this cost or does this mean we have to repave our garage fly through our minds and then we are on edge of panicking. Or there are those that think that they will simply get a mixture at Home Depot down the road and pour it in the crack and it’s fixed.
Thankfully, with following these steps and tips below you will not have to panic. And though it’s more than just one step than just pouring concrete mixture in, it will give you a long lasting repair. There is a correct way that is simple to follow and guarantees a long lasting repair.
First thing that needs to be checked is how deep the crack is. If it is deeper than 1 inch, it is said to use a concrete mix that has coarse, crushed-stone aggregate. This will bond very well with the concrete below it and next to it. If it is less than an inch deep, then you will only need a sand mix. Great news that no matter which one you need, the steps are the same.
What you will need to do next is with a hammer and a cold chisel level the bottom of the hole and undercut its sides slightly so that the patch cannot pop loose. The shape will be similar to a trapezoid.
Then vacuum out the crack of all dirt and debris, use some water and a wire brush to get any loose particles and then wipe clean.
You will then need to brush on the bonding liquid which you can find bottles of at any of your home stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s.
You will then want to mix the concrete with water and then place some into the hole. Using a trowel you will just need to press it into the corners and against the edges. After this, finish filling in the rest of the hole until there are some a little higher than the height of the floor.
Now you will level the patch with a board that is straight-edged out about a foot longer than the width of the entire hole. You will just move it back and forth in a sawing motion. What this does is push down the aggregate and makes the final smoothing easier.
Once the surface does not have its wet sheen anymore and feels firm to touch, smooth it next with magnesium or a wooden trowel. This will not affect the curing at all. Start working the trowel in a fanning motion; this will blend the edges with the older concrete floor.
You will need to do this several times as the mixture continues to cure. To make it very smooth, use a steel trowel with the past few passes, but if you would like some texture, use a damp push broom and pass over it once or twice.
Allow it to dry for about 24 hours before attempting to walk on or place things on the patch. With driving over it, it will need at least a week or longer to dry fully.
When in doubt, contact a professional contact us today to schedule your appointment or if you have any questions. Floor ReNew Houston 4530 W. 34th Street Suite C Houston, TX 77092 (713) 418-9983 via Floor ReNew Houston http://ift.tt/1Ua929i
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