Best Option for Dimpled, Old, Concrete Floor

[pkerkstra]

I'm putting a simple game room into our basement, and I want to make the floors attractive. I've been planning on putting down a real epoxy coating, and have spent a lot of time removing old paint, scrubbing and power washing the floor. But now I'm wondering if epoxy is really the best bet in this situation.

It's a very old home, and while I'm not sure just how old the concrete itself is, it's certainly been around a while. Despite it's age, the concrete seems to be in good, sound condition. But it has a dimpled texture, as though something was deliberately rolled over the concrete, possibly to improve traction. I've attached a close up photo of what I'm talking about.

Would epoxy work ok on a floor like that? Would flakes? Or am I better off going with a mat or tiles for a floor like this?

I'd appreciate any guidance you all might offer.

 

[JamesTreeby]

If the concrete is sound, and you wish to proceed with an epoxy system, I would recommend the following:
1. Give the surface a light diamond grind (80 grit) to remove any surface laitance, loose concrete or other surface contaminants. Thoroughly clean and dry any dust off the floor.
2. Apply a 'skim' coat, using a stand-up trowel, of epoxy resin mixed with fine sand, pulling it tight over the surface, thus filling in any remaining 'dimples', and also bonding/strengthening the concrete. If you leave any 'trowel' lines you can lightly sand/grind these off once it has set. This will also act as a primer coat.
3. You can now apply your epoxy coating system of choice, whether it be a simple roll-coat system, or using flakes. I would recommend using a flake system (2 coats of base colour, flakes broadcast until refusal, and then 2 coats of clear polyurethane/non-yellowing epoxy. This should cover up and hide any other imperfections left.

 

[pkerkstra]

Thanks for the guidance. I was afraid it would take something like that. If I were to apply the epoxy without leveling the dimples, what's likely to happen? Will it come off? Or is it more a matter of just not looking very good?

 

[Garage Flooring]

Here is my opinion.....

Mats: The dimples will profile through. I had a finish nail under mine and you would not believe how much it showed up.

Epoxy / Other Coatings : I would be a little worried about it. If you were my neighbor, I would not want to sell you an epoxy or other coating for that floor. If its the route you decide to go, the advice above is good.

Rigid tiles: Maybe.... PM me your address and I can send you four that will lock together. I will send different patterns and colors but they can lock together. If you have a small piece of landscape fabric set it under the tiles and walk on them. DO they rock, crack separate or make strange noises from the dimples??

PVC Tiles... This would be my choice. They are about 1/4" thick but they have more flex to them so for this application they would be a good fit. They are also pretty quiet. Given that this is a basement NORSK would be a great fit (I like the coin) but Exelia would work well too.

 

[pkerkstra]

Thanks Justin. The dimples are indented, not raised. Does that make any difference on either floor prep for epoxy or the suitability of mats?

 

[Garage Flooring]

Thanks Justin. The dimples are indented, not raised. Does that make any difference on either floor prep for epoxy or the suitability of mats?

It will be easier to grind than if they were raised

My gut tells me it cold be one of those projects where we are just hoping for the best. Basements can be interesting (moisture) to start with when it comes to epoxy and this one looks like it has some other things going on. Its so easy as a supplier to say go for it because its not my buck. I just think epoxy is a gamble here.

The mats will be a problem. Unless you prep the floor like you were doing epoxy they are just going to look funny over time.

Rigid tiles may be a better option than I originally thought. From here it looks like there is a little bit of a shadow around many of the holes and it looked like the displaced material from the dimple also created a little bit of a raise next to the dimple.

For my money, I would still do a PVC tile

 

[pkerkstra]

I hear ya. Thanks for the help.

 

[benwah]

How many sq ft are you looking? Do you want a permanent solution or temporary? Where (geographically) are you?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Dimples can be filled as our friend from down-under mentioned. Actually pretty easy and it will act like a primer.

Before you get too far, test for moisture. Even with a fair standing, I would be inclined to apply an epoxy based MVB as insurance.

If that is too much for your appetite consider a breathable acrylic sealer, tinted or clear. Dimples would remain but if consistent they may add a dimension to the floor.

 

[benwah]

Dimples can be filled as our friend from down-under mentioned. Actually pretty easy and it will act like a primer.

Before you get too far, test for moisture. Even with a fair standing, I would be inclined to apply an epoxy based MVB as insurance.

If that is too much for your appetite consider a breathable acrylic sealer, tinted or clear. Dimples would remain but if consistent they may add a dimension to the floor.

Heh, I was going to suggest something similar if he came back with moisture issues and a small sq footage.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Well great minds...

 

[Garage Flooring]

I hear ya. Thanks for the help.

Got you PM, on the way.

 

[pkerkstra]

1. Moisture test underway. I've been in the house two years, observed damp spots in one room of the basement that I don't plan to treat.

2. I'm looking to do 500 square feet or so right now. The whole basement is about 1,500 square feet divided into seven rooms (it's a big, old home, circa 1900).

3. Home is in the Philadelphia suburbs.

4. I don't know that I need a PERMANENT fix, but I'd like to take care of this chore for at least 5 or even 10 years. This is the long-term home. I don't want to do it the wrong way, but if the right way is ultra-extensive/expensive, this project will move down the priority list. There's a lot to do in this place.

I'm grateful for all the help and absorbing it all.

 

[James-W]

Are you dead set on doing epoxy, or are there other flooring options you would consider?

 

[pkerkstra]

I like the look of epoxy best, but no, I'm not dead set on it. If epoxy is a bad match for my floor without massive work (which is what it's sounding like) I'll go another route. Exploring PVC tiles right now.

 

[12ozd]

Quartz / sand broadcast.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Quartz / sand broadcast.

I like the look of epoxy best, but no, I'm not dead set on it. If epoxy is a bad match for my floor without massive work (which is what it's sounding like) I'll go another route. Exploring PVC tiles right now.

1. Moisture test underway. I've been in the house two years, observed damp spots in one room of the basement that I don't plan to treat.

2. I'm looking to do 500 square feet or so right now. The whole basement is about 1,500 square feet divided into seven rooms (it's a big, old home, circa 1900).

3. Home is in the Philadelphia suburbs.

4. I don't know that I need a PERMANENT fix, but I'd like to take care of this chore for at least 5 or even 10 years. This is the long-term home. I don't want to do it the wrong way, but if the right way is ultra-extensive/expensive, this project will move down the priority list. There's a lot to do in this place.

I'm grateful for all the help and absorbing it all.

A full broadcast floor would definitely be thick enough to cover up the imperfections. It would be tough to do a section now and a section later though unless there is a natural division.

Its hard to look at a picture and make any sort of definitive call. I keep going back to that picture and I just would not be surprised if more was going on than just the dimples. The new information about moisture having been in one area could be a concern as well.

For me, I always go back to how a floor is going to be used and cost/time versus return. Its absolutely plausible to get the concrete in shape for a coating. The question that ONLY the OP can answer is "is it worth it." Again if it was my garage or my friend or neighbors garage I would really be worried about it and go a different direction.

 

[James-W]

I was thinking along the lines of ceramic tile or maybe porcelain tile. It would likely be more expensive but I think it would look really nice.