Flooring newbie questions...

[Gee3]

So we're buying a new home and I want to put down Rust-Oleum's Epoxy Shield floor coating (or something in that price range) before we move in (in late July). The builder wanted to charge $3k to do it so I passed!

(Are there any recommendations on kits aside from Rust-Oleum?)

So after reading some threads I saw someone say that the concrete shouldn't be sealed or else you have to grind it. So does that mean I need to tell my builder NOT to seal my floors? How can you tell if it's been sealed? Should my builder also know if the flooring is subject to hydrostatic pressure?

Or can I prime it first, then put down the Epoxy? Or should I prime first no matter what? Or is it not necessary with the Rust Oleum kit?

Also, on new floors do I need to etch the floor? Or is that just for old flooring?

Any and all comments and suggestions for me (a newbie) are greatly appreciated!! I want to do this right and would like to know what I'm getting myself into before I jump in.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Gary

 

[ARCTIC_RAGTOP]

I just went through a ton of research, pictures, reviews, and spoke with someone at U Coat It and then one of the nice girls at RaceDeck. I originally didn't want to spend more than $500 on garage flooring but after a ton of reviews and seeing pictures of both I ordered RaceDeck today. I highly recommend that you search it out, compare all the pros and cons to Epoxy and make your decision from there. The RaceDeck is the way to go, and there is a garage journal discount! It was more money but will make your new house that much nicer!

 

[Shea]

Usually builders don't seal the concrete, just ask if they have. You can also do a water test. Sprinkle some around the floor and if it starts to soak into the concrete then it is not sealed. If all of it beads up and just sits there, then you have a sealer on the floor.

New floor or old, you still need to profile it properly before applying the epoxy. If you are going to spend money for a primer, I wouldn't follow up with the Rust-Oleum epoxy. A decent primer will cost more than the Rust-Oleum. I would suggest a 100% solids epoxy kit. You will get a much better return on your dollar in the long run over the Rust-Oleum. If your budget is tight because of the new home, I would use the Rust-Oleum Professional kit over the water based kit. It costs a few dollars more but it has a better spread rate and a higher solids content to make it a little more durable than the water based version.

As far as hydrostatic pressure, is your slab above or below grade? Usually it's not an issue with above grade slabs. I would do a moisture test regardless though before you decide on using epoxy.