What to put under Racedeck Freeflow?

[A2jon]

All
I am purchasing RD Freeflow flooring and was interested in what you have put under your tiles?

1st, I live in Michigan and am geeting Freeflow so the snow and debris in the winter will accumulate below the walking surface and not track it into the house.

2nd, I have a 12 year old concrete floor which is in decent shape and I was going to use Simply Green and wash it before installing RD - minimal prep

3rd, I visited someone who installed Freeflow and had used a concrete water repellent (Thompsons I believe) and then installed Freeflow. The idea is debris wouldn't stick to the floor and clean up would be easier

I was also considering preparing the concrete with water repellent or buying cheap floor paint or stain at one of the big box stores. Maybe even a cheap expoxy kit like Rustoleum

Has anyone done the same prep work ahead of installed RD?

Thanks in advance
Jon

 

[Shea]

A good penetrating sealer is inexpensive and works great at sealing the floor from moisture, salt, and deicing fluids. Don't use Thompsons.

We have an article here that talks about the different options.

Applying an inexpensive epoxy is too much work for what you want to do in my opinion. Stay away from paint as it is not a sealer and will not protect your floor from salt and other winter nasties.

 

[A2jon]

Thanks, Shea for your input. That helps

 

[Garage Flooring]

If the floor has never been sealed we would suggest TrueLock B4 http://www.garageflooringllc.com/b4-garage-floor-mat-tile-prep-solution/

 

[Denwood]

EPDM: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=309814

 

[Garage Flooring]

EPDM: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=309814

EPDM is NOT a good idea. Sorry. I was looking for a more applicable chart but this is generally accurate enough for the sake of saying EPDM and motor oils / fuels do not mix

http://www.fbs-online.com/Centre/Prod/EPDM-chem-com-res.htm

 

[Denwood]

Jon, if you're happy with just putting the tile over your concrete, just make sure it's very well sealed as the gents above have suggested. Salt will damage the concrete in very short order.

Justin, I was a bit worried about that, but so far, motor oil, brake fluid and trans fluid have not been an issue. Granted, I work very clean, and have left no puddles of solvent, but so far so good. This floor has a drain in it, therefore I'm very careful with anything other than water hitting the floor.

Because I sealed the four edges with vinyl ramping to contain melt, EPDM was pretty easy to manage

One thing I like about the EPDM is the price, and the fact that it completely stops the tiles from slipping. These pics from last night show the tile imprints into the EPDM which resulting in zero slippage over the winter. The EPDM itself was in great shape.

That said, your parking containment mat with tiles laid into it, cut out for a drain, would pretty much do the same job, and be easier to manage: http://www.garageflooringllc.com/auto-floor-guard-containment-mat/ I'm guessing that if it's OK to park on, then it should be fine with drain tiles

Justin,

 

[Garage Flooring]

Jon, if you're happy with just putting the tile over your concrete, just make sure it's very well sealed as the gents above have suggested. Salt will damage the concrete in very short order.

Justin, I was a bit worried about that, but so far, motor oil, brake fluid and trans fluid have not been an issue. Granted, I work very clean, and have left no puddles of solvent, but so far so good. This floor has a drain in it, therefore I'm very careful with anything other than water hitting the floor.

Because I sealed the four edges with vinyl ramping to contain melt, EPDM was pretty easy to manage

One thing I like about the EPDM is the price, and the fact that it completely stops the tiles from slipping. These pics from last night show the tile imprints into the EPDM which resulting in zero slippage over the winter. The EPDM itself was in great shape.

That said, your parking containment mat with tiles laid into it, cut out for a drain, would pretty much do the same job, and be easier to manage: http://www.garageflooringllc.com/auto-floor-guard-containment-mat/ I'm guessing that if it's OK to park on, then it should be fine with drain tiles

Justin,

I am curious about the white EPDM.... A lot of that is actually a second membrane laminated onto black EPDM. Essentially the white is not true EPDM on some of the products- which in this case is a good thing.

 

[bczygan]

Good place to stash some spare greenbacks (Spread out under the underlayment).

 

[Denwood]

I am curious about the white EPDM.... A lot of that is actually a second membrane laminated onto black EPDM. Essentially the white is not true EPDM on some of the products- which in this case is a good thing.

Justin, it is some sort of laminate..so indeed my experience with it is likely skewed by that fact.