Epoxy Flooring Removal

[JBL]

I am looking for advice/suggestions as to removal of epoxy coating.
Floor blistered despite passing the "moisture test" prior to professional installation. In that my options for flooring will be limited after removal, I am concerned about the condtion of the floor after removal.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bmwpower]

Sand or grind it off.

 

[JBL]

Sand or grind it off.

Do you have suggestions as to the "equipment" to utilize...I really do not relish the thought of a body grinder...! I can't imagine a large orbital sander doing much??

I have heard tell of the shot blasting machines, but imagine that the epoxy surface would be fairly impervious to such. A sacrifcier (sp?) perhaps, but what does the concrete look like afterwards.

 

[OldCarGuy]

Shot blasting would be the easiest and best way to remove epoxy coatings.

 

[bmwpower]

Shot blast, concrete grinder or walk-behind orbital sander will all work. Epoxy is strong, yes, but no epoxy can withstand mechanical means of removal.

Ever see the highway workers use a scarifier on the road lines? It roughs up the surface really good. Might be too rough for my liking though.

 

[JBL]

Yes, I would like to retain as smooth of a finish as possible. What does the shot blaster leave behind?

It seems as though the installer now believes the culprit is hydrostatic pressure as there are the bubbles with moisture underneath. Of course they firmly believed this was not an issue to begin with. Interesting enough, my basement has no moisture issues and does not even utilize a sump pump. I am at a significant elevation compared to the surrounding property so I am a bit confused by that diagnosis.

The next question after I get it off is what to do with the 900 sq ft.

Thanks!

 

[bmwpower]

Do you have a vapor barrier under the slab?

Capillary action - water comes in contact with the small pores on the underside of the slab and gets sucked into the hole. Only takes a little water to accomplish this. This might be your problem.

Also, the appearance of water could come and go with the seasons. There may have been no water when it was first installed and then over time, water appeared.

You might want to try this:

http://supercoat.us/wet_page.htm

I haven't tried this brand, but I am considering using it in my attached garage since there is no vapor barrier under the slab

 

[snorvet]

Yes, I would like to retain as smooth of a finish as possible. What does the shot blaster leave behind?

It seems as though the installer now believes the culprit is hydrostatic pressure as there are the bubbles with moisture underneath. Of course they firmly believed this was not an issue to begin with. Interesting enough, my basement has no moisture issues and does not even utilize a sump pump. I am at a significant elevation compared to the surrounding property so I am a bit confused by that diagnosis.

The next question after I get it off is what to do with the 900 sq ft.

Thanks!

The shot blaster leaves behind concrete dust mixed with the expended shot. It was difficult on my floor to maintain an even smoothness across the floor due to shotblasting overlaps and different consistencies in the concrete across the floor.

 

[JBL]

Thank you for the comments/suggestions. I am told that the epoxy should be good to approx. 19psi. Oh, and yes there is a vapor barrier, thus my confusion. It is not as though I am living on top of a swamp, we are on pretty hard clay.

Thanks again.

 

[mike944]

What can someone do with this condition? does Drylock actually work? I have a friend with significant water seeping through the slab. Does he have any hope?
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