In the scorching heat of Phoenix, the last thing homeowners might think about is moisture in their garage floors. However, even in arid climates, moisture can pose serious challenges when it comes to coating concrete surfaces. Proper concrete preparation is crucial, particularly when installing high-quality floor coatings. Many one-day polyurea contractors and DIY enthusiasts often overlook a critical step. Assessing the moisture content of the concrete before applying the coating. Skipping that step is a common cause for a whole lot of regret!
High moisture levels in concrete are a common cause of coating failures. Water vapor wicking up through the porous concrete gets trapped beneath the slab and primer coat. It creates significant hydrostatic pressure over time. This eventually lifts the coating from the surface (as your concrete coating is only as strong as it’s primer coat).
It usually takes six to twelve months for this headache to present itself, and it usually leads to expensive re-coating jobs. You might think moisture isn’t a huge issue in Arizona, but we see it all the time. Humidity can still accumulate under your concrete and cause long-term damage. That is, unless you take the proper precautions.
Professional installers around Arizona conduct thorough on-site moisture assessments before starting any floor coating application. This process involves checking for visible signs of moisture like efflorescence and dark spots. It also involves using a calibrated moisture vapor transmission meter to obtain accurate readings (science helps!). Multiple readings ensure a comprehensive understanding of the concrete’s condition.
If medium to high moisture levels are detected, a moisture-mitigating epoxy primer is applied (never a polyurea like the “1-day” guys do). This primer penetrates deeply into the substrate, addressing moisture problems and providing a solid foundation for the subsequent layers, which include a flake broadcast and two separate polyaspartic clear topcoats.
Here’s the catch: Using a moisture-mitigating epoxy primer requires a minimum two-day installation process because it cures slower. This contrasts sharply with the dazzling allure of one-day installations you see out there. Quick fixes are tempting, but getting a durable and long-lasting concrete coating system requires a thorough moisture assessment, proper concrete preparation, and proper selection of the primer coat.
DIY kits don’t account for moisture levels either. It’s like we always say: Quality takes time. Not only does our two-day moisture mitigating process prevent expensive failures and reapplications, but it also ensures a beautiful and resilient garage floor that can withstand the test of time.