Epoxy floors are known for their durability, strength, and ability to last for years. However, some owners of epoxy floors experience some peeling, flaking, and damage to their epoxy floors that may cause some headaches. Epoxy floors have a tendency to flake most often when the proper steps weren’t taken prior to installation.

The issues listed below may arise after installation, but should and could have been addressed—and prevented—prior to installation of the epoxy floor. Check with a professional installer, like Liquid Floors, before you install your epoxy floor to help save you time and resources down the road.

preventable issues that cause epoxy flooring to flake

Stain Removal

You may be considering installing an epoxy floor because your concrete slab has seen better days. Whether it’s in a commercial manufacturing plant, or a residential garage, concrete floors see their share of damage.

If your concrete floor has seen some wear and tear, installing an epoxy floor coating may seem like an easy way to cover up the stains and help preserve the concrete. However, those stains may contain oils and chemicals that will rise up to the surface after the epoxy floor is laid. Those chemicals and oils will escape from the concrete, pool underneath the coating and cause bubbling and flaking.

Sealant Removal

In order to prevent stains, many concrete floors are treated with sealants or coatings. However, these sealants must be removed prior to installing an epoxy floor. Without removing the seal, the epoxy floor will not be able to properly bond to the concrete slab underneath it, causing bubbles and flakes of the epoxy.

An easy way to determine whether your flooring has a sealant or is treated in some way is to pour water on it. If the water beads up or does not soak into the concrete, it is most likely covered in a thin sealant.

Cleaning Agent Removal

While properly removing stains and oils from the surface of your concrete is important, it is also important to remove the cleaning agents you used. Those cleaning agents may contain waters and chemicals that will leave residue behind and result in the same outcome as the stains – the epoxy floor bubbling and flaking after installation.

A way to ensure your cleaning agent is fully removed is to not allow it to dry on your concrete surface. When drying, the concrete will absorb the liquids and the not allow for the epoxy floor to properly bond to it.

Concrete Preparation

All of the issues above require the concrete be properly prepared prior to installing the epoxy flooring. Another issue to keep in mind is to ensure the concrete has had enough time to cure after being poured.

Concrete floors contain a lot of water that releases for months after being poured. If an epoxy floor is installed over concrete that hasn’t had proper time to cure, the flooring will not properly adhere to the concrete. And, as previously stated, if the epoxy can’t bond to the concrete adequately, bubble and flakes will occur.

The above steps are required in order to ensure your epoxy floor is installed properly and will last as long as it can. If you have any questions as to whether your concrete is adequately prepared for the epoxy coating, it’s best to call in a professional. Liquid Floors will be able to help you assess your concrete to ensure it is prepared for the epoxy floor installation.