Concrete Prep for Epoxy

[swanicyouth]

I'm thinking of applying an epoxy floor coating to the basement of my new construction home (1 yr old now).

The basement is HUGE - prolly 1800 sq ft.

I have a few questions, hoping a guru can help me out:

1. Builder seems to have put something on the concrete. Not paint - maybe a sealer? Would cleaning with acid be likely suffice to to remove this? I cleaned a spot with "safe" muriatic acid (HCL acid?) and it left a dark stain - leaving me to believe it removed whatever was on there.

2. If epoxy gets a pet stain on it - can you touch it up by cleaning and painting on top of a small area?

3. Basement is dry. Concrete is cured. Have a dehumidifier in basement that keeps it at about 33% humidity. Do I have to do any moisture tests on the concrete?

Floor will just have foot traffic - no cars (basement). Maybe some light storage as well.

TIA


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[kd3pc]

1. If there is anything on there, you really need to grind it...

2. Epoxy is pretty strong against pet stains, as long as you clean them up quickly. Longer term...touch ups are difficult as you need to re-prep the surface, and now that surface is largely epoxy with a coating on top. I am sure the vendors here (read:experts) will respond and give you a straight up answer.

3. I would still do the moisture tests that your materials supplier suggests. Better to know and mitigate, as opposed to doing 1800 and finding out the other way. 33% is pretty low? seems to me.

hope it works for you. I would strongly suggest you have at least two helpers and a gofer, if you are going to do this DIY. Time becomes your enemy, so extra hands to mix and spread and such become a requirement.

Make sure your gear is clean, clean, clean - epoxy does not like being close to other epoxy that is not his.

 

[swanicyouth]

Hmm... sounds like this maybe too much of a headache. Wish there was an easier solution.

Maybe regular concrete paint? But I'm guessing that won't help much with pet stains.

 

[Dpmulvan]

Better off putting tile down.

 

[bigjon]

Floor coatings such as epoxy aren't as difficult as you think. Check floor for compatibility > grind floor > clean floor > coat following directions carefully > enjoy.

The hardest part is determining which one to go with. Fortunately for you since it's a basement you don't need 'heavy duty'. Send Legacy, Armour or Justin a PM. I'm beginning to like the look of clear coatings.

Porcelain tile is another good option.

 

[Armorpoxy]

A good alternative would be our SPGX coating. Super resistant to pets and fluids, single coat, easy to apply...

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Answers:

1. Builder seems to have put something on the concrete. Not paint - maybe a sealer? Would cleaning with acid be likely suffice to to remove this? I cleaned a spot with "safe" muriatic acid (HCL acid?) and it left a dark stain - leaving me to believe it removed whatever was on there. A: You will grind the floor.

2. If epoxy gets a pet stain on it - can you touch it up by cleaning and painting on top of a small area? A: Use a urethane clearcoat over your epoxy and no staining. This is what kennels use.

3. Basement is dry. Concrete is cured. Have a dehumidifier in basement that keeps it at about 33% humidity. Do I have to do any moisture tests on the concrete? A: Always a good idea.

A basement system should include a Moisture Vapor Barrier, like our Aqua-Dike.

Good luck!