Epoxy up stem wall when doing the garage floor.

[Arkive]

I've seen pictures so I know you can but looking for insight/tips. Namely curious about preparing the surface. While the slab has a vapor barrier, do I need to worry about moisture wicking in through the cinderblocks? If so, should you paint/prime the stem wall with something first to create a moisture barrier before the epoxy primer/application? Also curious about whether you fill in the mortar joints between the blocks (as those are curved in per the norm). And if so, with what? More mortar? Would a bead that thin adhere properly or are you better off with a caulk product?

Basically, just looking for do/don'ts in this regard. Thanks!

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Unless you are subterranean at that level I would not worry about moisture moving through.
If you are, there are products out there specifically for this. Check your local Lowes or Paint Store.

You can put epoxy on the stem wall, flakes too. Some folks will tint a concrete paint and cover it that way as well. If the grout lines bother you, you may want to cover the darn thing with hardi-board and coat that, would be easier to deal with.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I've seen pictures so I know you can but looking for insight/tips. Namely curious about preparing the surface. While the slab has a vapor barrier, do I need to worry about moisture wicking in through the cinderblocks? If so, should you paint/prime the stem wall with something first to create a moisture barrier before the epoxy primer/application? Also curious about whether you fill in the mortar joints between the blocks (as those are curved in per the norm). And if so, with what? More mortar? Would a bead that thin adhere properly or are you better off with a caulk product?

Basically, just looking for do/don'ts in this regard. Thanks!

Legacy is dead on. What I tell people is don't spend money on epoxy for that. If you have enough left over from the floor anyway, may as well use it. Otherwise, just do a color match paint. Typically that area will **** up a lot of coatings and not look as good as the floor no matter what you do.

 

[FJ4FUN]

I agree with the comments above.

The only time we may deviate from this advise is if the stem wall is less than 6" or so and is properly prepped. At this height it's quick and easy to brush on the coating materials. Just be sure to account for it when determining quantities....

 

[Kaizen]

I ordered extra epoxy for my 2 foot stem wall. While i had ground the slab nice i found it was a pain doing the stem during the floor install as i did it solo. All the voids made it look like ****. if you want flakes you will have to wait for the floor to dry or you'll have a really thick flake line where they fall.

So i just went to do this on mine a few months ago and listened to the above guru's. Went and got a color matched paint and slapped it on. done. Only think I would recommend is you do go up the wall a little on the floor install. just an inch up with a brush so that corner is filled and easy to paint down to after.

Going to use the epoxy on a few items that will match to the floor.