It’s finally spring! As warmer weather rolls in and we all begin to get outside again, though, we are met with one of the unfortunate realities of Minnesota’s climate: wet, rainy springs. Indeed, rainfall can not only be a nuisance to your outdoor plans, but it also can be seriously damaging to your concrete structures—yes, even your concrete garage floors! In addition to all the water tracked in on your tires, without proper protection, concrete garages are vulnerable to oil and grease stains, which can easily surface if you happen to do work on your car on a rainy day.
Luckily, there’s an easy way to protect your garage cement floor from all sorts of elements: applying an epoxy. Do it right, and the longevity of your garage floor can be drastically increased! However, there’s a right and wrong way to apply this substance, and doing it the wrong way can result in an ugly, uneven job.
Creative Concrete, a residential concrete contractor located in New Brighton, is here to help. Read on to discover how to properly apply epoxy to your concrete garage floor.
EPOXY AND SEALANT DON’T MIX
A word of advice: if your concrete garage floor has been sealed, you won’t want to apply epoxy to it. The sealant can make it difficult for the epoxy to adhere to the concrete as it should. Before beginning to apply epoxy, it’s imperative that you ensure you’re starting with unsealed concrete.
That aside, here’s how to do epoxy application the right way:
1. Clean the floor | Rid your concrete garage floor of gas stains with a concrete degreaser. A good spray-down with a hose can help you spot these stains, as the water will create a rainbow effect as it interacts with them.
2. Apply an acid-water solution to the concrete | This solution helps to create a surface that your epoxy can bind to. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and make sure to wear protective clothing, like long pants and tall boots, while working to avoid skin damage. Work in small sections to scrub the excess grit away with a bristle brush before hosing and squeegeeing off your workspace as you go.
3. Once dry, apply the epoxy | Make sure to follow the instructions printed on the container, as all brands work slightly differently. Again, working in small sections is the best way to ensure a smooth finish. Wait longer than you think is necessary before walking or parking your car on it.
INTERESTED IN A NEW CONCRETE STRUCTURE? CONTACT CREATIVE CONCRETE NOW
Our New Brighton team would love to help you realize your concrete dreams. Give us a call now at 612-414-7932.
