Licensed? No. I don't believe there is such a license here. Who would they be licensed with?
Floor prep: Floor is about 4 months old. It's on the top of a hill and at the highest point so no moisture or efflorescence issues. Floor had a curing sealer applied when it was fresh. Wouldn't have done that for epoxy but we changed course. They used a floor buffer type rig to take up the coating. I know there were some smears in the corners of gummed up coating. Then muratic acid wash and pressure wash. Then shop vac to pull up excess water in joints and such. Two day wait to put down first coat. No moisture test. I delayed him putting down the first coat or he would have put it down the next day after power washing.
They would be licensed with the state as a contractor to do business. Most states require a contractors license when a service or job is performed that would alter or make improvements to a home. There is usually a minimum dollar figure attached which varies state by state. For Illinois, I believe it's $1000.
Licensed floor coating companies and installers / contractors tend to take their work much more seriously. Training is involved, good relationships are established with coating suppliers, and etc. In addition, many are bonded. In essence, you are separating the true professionals who know their business vs the ones who "think they know" and are out trying to turn a quick buck under the radar. It doesn't mean that every guy out there without a license is not good. However, our experience has shown that the majority of problems we hear about is from such installers. Many of these installers tend to be house painters and handymen that don't know as much as they think about coatings.
The reason I asked is because all professionals know that proper floor prep is the most important part of the job and the one part that prevents most call backs. In addition, when a surface is properly profiled, the last thing you want to do is introduce water to it, let alone muriatic acid. This was the main tip-off. If it was properly grinded to begin with, then etching would not have been necessary. An installer who is removing a cure and seal film would be aware of this and grind appropriately.
Pressure washers drive moisture deep into the concrete and it takes some time to properly dry out. I think your guess about moisture coming up through the concrete due to inadequate drying time is the likely issue.
Also, was the acid etch neutralized before rinsed or was it just rinsed with a pressure washer? If not properly neutralized, active acid solution can continue working on the concrete from within and cause the concrete to slowly deteriorate under the coating and loose adhesion some time later.
I'm not trying to say you made a bad decision about who you hired. I'm just trying to give the best explanation I can so you can figure out the best course of action.
