Epoxy is a long-lasting and durable flooring solution. It can withstand heavy impacts and chemicals, making it ideal for commercial and industrial facilities.
A 100% solids epoxy doesn’t use water or solvent to cure, meaning that it doesn’t release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It also has an appealing high-gloss finish. Contact Top Coat Technicians for professional help.
Epoxy floors are extremely durable and long-lasting. They are highly resistant to water, chemicals, oil spills, abrasions, and heavy loads, making them perfect for warehouse and industrial facilities. They also provide a high-gloss sheen, which improves lighting in large facilities and helps to increase the visibility of equipment and supplies.
However, epoxy flooring is not completely indestructible, and it can be damaged if it is not maintained properly. Choosing the right type of epoxy and following all instructions for application will ensure that your floors last as long as possible.
To start with, you need to sweep your floor regularly to remove any dust, dirt, or debris. It’s important to sweep the floor before using any heavy machinery as this will prevent scratching and damage to the surface. It’s also a good idea to use a micro fibre mop to ensure that the surface remains smooth and slip-resistant.
If you have a floor that is exposed to harsh chemicals or oil spills, it’s essential that these are cleaned up as soon as they happen. This is because these chemicals can erode the surface of the epoxy, leaving it damaged and unusable. You can treat chemical spills by wiping them up with paper towels and a degreaser, such as Simple Green. You should avoid using any cleaners with citrus, acidic, or vinegar solutions as they can damage the epoxy coating.
Another way to protect your epoxy floor is to use a walk-off mat at the entrance to your facility. This will help to collect any dirt, sand, or moisture from shoes and boots, which will prevent it from scratching or damaging your epoxy floor. You can also place a soft pad under machinery and tools to prevent them from scratching the floor.
It’s also a good idea to put down a protective mat at any welding areas in your facility. This will stop the hot sparks from melting or etching your epoxy floor. You should also make sure to wipe down all machinery and equipment before moving it on your epoxy floor. You should also try to lift heavy equipment rather than drag it across the floor to reduce the risk of damage or scrapes.
Light Reflectivity
Epoxy flooring is a beautiful way to protect and enhance concrete floors. It’s durable and comes in a huge range of colours, textures, and effects. The flooring can also be applied in different sections to mark out specific areas such as loading bays, forklift paths, and walkways. This can make facilities more efficient and safe.
The sheen of epoxy floors significantly boosts lighting in large facilities where natural light is scarce. This can help keep your facility safe and increase visibility for both customers and employees. It also reduces the need for extra lighting, making it a cost-effective solution.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, epoxy flooring is also easy to maintain and clean. This makes it an ideal choice for busy commercial, industrial, and government spaces that need to meet high standards of hygienics and safety. The smooth surface of epoxy can easily be swept and vacuumed to remove any dirt, dust, or debris. It’s also highly resistant to chemicals and solvents, so it can withstand harsh cleaning products.
Whether you want your floor coating to match the colours of your building or your company’s branding, there’s sure to be an option to suit. The coating is available in a huge range of standard and bespoke RAL and BS 4800 colours. It can also be customised with text or graphics, or even a bespoke design to create a unique space.
It’s important to ensure that the underlying concrete surface is prepared correctly before applying an epoxy coating. This is best done by a professional and may require the use of specialist equipment such as a diamond-headed vacuum-assisted grinder. It is also essential to ensure that any cracks are filled and that the concrete base is free of oil, grease, solvents, and dust.
Once the underlying concrete is ready, you can choose between water-based, solvent-based, and 100% solid epoxy resins. These are formed from a chemical reaction between an epoxy monomer and a hardening component to form a solid. Water-based and solvent-based epoxies emit fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them better for sensitive environments. However, they aren’t as durable as 100% solid epoxies and will likely need to be repaired more often.
Anti-Slip
One of the most important benefits of an epoxy floor coating is that it is very slip resistant. This is particularly valuable in industrial settings where the flooring needs to be able to withstand heavy foot and forklift traffic. It also helps reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in commercial spaces, and it creates a safer work environment for employees. Regular cleaning and inspection of the floor will help maintain its slip resistance.
This is especially true if the floor is regularly cleaned with an approved cleaner, such as an acid-free kitchen scrubbing sponge or a soft deck brush. Regular scrubbing will prevent the buildup of chemicals such as rust or other chemical spillages, which can damage and discolor the floor coating.
The frequency of scrubbing depends on the level of soilage, but it is generally advisable to scrub all floors at least once every week. High-traffic areas may need to be scrubbed daily, and it is often best to use a mechanized scrubber for maximum productivity.
Epoxy floors can withstand a great deal of wear and tear, but it is important to keep an eye out for large scratches, gouges or cuts in the flooring. These can cause moisture to seep under the epoxy surface, causing delamination and potentially leading to more serious problems.
If you notice any of these in the floor, it is vital to carry out spot repairs immediately so that they don’t worsen. It is also a good idea to avoid using any cleaning solutions that contain acids or citrus, as these can cause the epoxy surface to become dull and discolored.
In addition, it is a good idea to sweep up any dirt and debris on a regular basis in order to prevent the accumulation of abrasive materials that can scratch the surface.
It is also a good idea to keep some approved chemical cleaners in the workplace, so that staff can quickly and easily clean up any spillages or stains. It is always advisable to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when applying these cleaning products, and it is generally best to use a mild solution before moving on to a stronger solution if needed.
Easy Maintenance
Epoxy is a highly durable floor coating, but it’s not indestructible. Damage may occur if spills and stains are not cleaned up quickly. This is especially true for car chemicals and oil. These caustic substances can etch the epoxy coating and create discoloration. This is why it’s important to wipe up spills as soon as they happen. In addition, the use of mats at entryways and work stations can help collect dirt and sand from shoes and equipment before it has a chance to scratch or otherwise damage the epoxy.
Daily sweeping and mopping will keep your floors looking shiny and new. For high-traffic areas, this should be done daily to prevent buildup. In addition, scrubbing and cleaning the floor will also reduce the need for a re-coat in the future. Scrubbing frequency depends on the amount of soilage that your facility typically experiences, but it is recommended to scrub all floors at least once a week, and especially high-traffic areas weekly.
Regular scrubbing and mopping will also help to eliminate dirt and debris that can scratch or gouge the epoxy floor coating. This will extend the life of your flooring and ensure that it stays as beautiful and functional as possible.
A broom, sweeper or mechanized scrubber is the best tool for scrubbing an epoxy floor. It is important to be gentle, however, as excessive pressure on the surface can cause damage to the epoxy. For a deep clean, a mild detergent mixed with water should be used. This solution can be sprayed or soaked onto the floor and then wiped clean.
For tough stains, a diluted solution of clear ammonia can be used to remove them. Just mix a small amount of the solution with water, dip your mop in it and then scrub the area thoroughly. Be sure to wring out the mop well after each use to avoid leaving standing water on the floor that could damage it.
If your facility uses harsh or erosive chemicals, then it is particularly important to treat any spills as soon as they occur. This will prevent the chemicals from absorbing into the epoxy and damaging it permanently. Similarly, it is important to avoid dragging or dropping heavy machinery or pallets on the floor. Using furniture pads under heavy equipment can help to prevent scratches on the epoxy, as will putting down plywood where the equipment is used.