5 Ways Epoxy Coating Enhances Your Garage Floor Durability

A fresh epoxy floor elevates any garage space into a room that’s both functional and attractive. It’s also durable and requires minimal maintenance.

A professional installation typically comes with a warranty or guarantee, giving homeowners peace of mind. The coating is resistant to stains, chemicals, and shock, and it’s easy to wipe away oil, anti-freeze, and other caustic car chemicals.

1. It’s Durable

Epoxy flooring is tough and durable but it’s also a breeze to clean. The vast majority of surface dirt and debris that accumulates on the floor can be swept or vacuumed up with a standard-issue broom. Sweeping will help prevent scratching that can damage the floor over time, especially if heavy equipment or vehicles are driven on it regularly.

Stubborn stains and spots on epoxy floors can occur from many different things but should always be cleaned as soon as possible to minimize their effect on the integrity of the coating. Use the mildest cleaning solution possible, like diluted soap or ammonia. If you’re still struggling, try using a plastic scour pad or sponge to scrub the area gently with warm water, to improve your garage’s overall durability. Avoid steel wool and abrasive cleaning pads as these can damage the epoxy floor’s surface. Never attempt to remove rust stains or any other chemicals with a solvent base, as these can dissolve the epoxy coating.

Regular maintenance will keep your epoxy floor looking and functioning its best for many years after it’s installed. Sweep or vacuum the floor regularly, especially in high traffic areas and near entry doors. Install walk-off mats at entrances to trap any grit that could be ground into the floor by equipment or cars. Regularly wash the floor with a pH-neutral cleaner specifically formulated for epoxy surfaces to avoid damaging the finish.

To get the most out of your epoxy floor coating, contact a garage floor painting company that offers the service. The expert can assess your space and provide recommendations on what type of material to use for a long-lasting, durable floor surface that’s easy to maintain.

2. It’s Easy to Clean

Epoxy isn’t porous, and it’s much easier to clean than concrete. This makes it a breeze to keep grime from building up, which is one of the primary causes of scratches on garage floors. It’s simple to sweep and mop, so you can easily get rid of dirt and grit. Ideally, you should sweep or use a dust mop daily in high-traffic areas and weekly in less trafficked areas. Make sure to sweep out rugs and furniture as well.

Liquid spills, like antifreeze and engine oil, are like unwelcome guests at the gala of your garage floor, and they must be wiped up quickly to avoid damaging the epoxy coating. Shop towels or paper are great for this. Paint, abrasive cleaners, and corrosive chemicals also need to be cleaned up immediately to prevent damage and contamination to the flooring.

Once you’ve removed any solid spills, use a mild detergent and hot water to clean up the rest of the residue. Rust spots are common in many garages, and these can be removed with a little rubbing and a kitchen sponge that has been soaked in a solution of a mild degreaser and warm water. This should be done before the stain has a chance to set.

To minimize scratching, it’s a good idea to place welcome mats at all entrances to trap dirt, grit and moisture, as well as to install plywood under heavy equipment or welding tables. You should also use pads under bicycles and motorcycles to protect the floors from any sudden impacts or jarring crashes. Regularly wax your floor to add a layer of protection and shine. And don’t forget to wear protective gear like eye protection and a respirator when working with cleaning chemicals or a floor buffer.

3. It’s Stain Resistant

Stains can detract from the beauty and value of your garage floor. They’re unsightly, abrasive, and oftentimes, they’re difficult to clean. Fortunately, epoxy coating is stain resistant and easy to clean, allowing you to maintain your floors with minimal effort.

Epoxy protects the underlying concrete floor and prevents it from cracking, discoloring, and crumbling. In fact, epoxy creates a layer of protection over the surface that effectively preserves it for decades to come. In addition, epoxy doesn’t trap bacteria like other flooring materials, which allows you to quickly sanitize the floors when necessary.

Cleaning a garage floor that has an epoxy coating is simple. You can use a mop and water, mild detergent, or pH-neutral cleaner diluted with water to thoroughly clean the surfaces and get rid of dirt and grime. You should also remove vehicles, tools, storage containers, and any other items that are resting on the floors before starting your cleaning. This will ensure unobstructed access to the entire floor and help you avoid potential damage to your belongings.

Garage floors are prone to stains from automotive fluid spills, household chemicals, and paints. Additionally, rubber tires can leave behind marks that are not technically stains but still detract from the appearance of your garage floor. In addition, rust stains can form from metal objects left in damp conditions and can penetrate the epoxy floor. By taking proper care of your garage floors, you can prevent these stains from occurring in the first place and extend their lifespan. This includes routine maintenance, prompt spill cleanup, and avoiding abrasive cleaners or tools that may scratch the surface of your epoxy flooring. In addition, you should always place protective pads or mats under heavy equipment or machinery and furniture to prevent indentations to the floors.

4. It’s Shock Resistant

Epoxy coating acts as a robust barrier that protects garage floors from impact and abrasion damage. When sprayed on the floor, it fills in cracks and pores for a seamless surface that effectively seals concrete from moisture. Epoxy also resists heat and chemical exposure, making it ideal for use in high traffic areas such as garages.

Car fluids like antifreeze, oil and gasoline can wreak havoc on unprotected concrete surfaces. They can stain, discolor and deteriorate over time, which is why it’s so important to have a strong, durable coating to keep your garage safe. Epoxy coatings are impermeable, which means automotive fluids and household solvents cannot penetrate the epoxy layer. Spills will remain on the surface, allowing for quick cleanup and minimizing long-term damage to the floor.

The thick and tough epoxy layer is also shock resistant, which makes it perfect for garages that see a lot of foot traffic or heavy equipment use. Dropped items, machinery or even the wear and tear of cars driving on the flooring will not harm your epoxy floor.

To keep your epoxy flooring in good condition, regularly sweep and mop it with warm water to prevent buildup of dirt and grime. Avoid abrasive cleaning tools and harsh chemicals that may scratch or dull the surface. Place mats or pads under any equipment that might scratch or mark the floor, and always take precautionary measures when moving heavy equipment across your garage floor. For example, use a jack stand when working on a vehicle or use plywood under a welder to minimize indentations in the floor. If you plan to store any abrasive chemicals in your garage, store them in plastic bins or containers with lids that can be closed.

5. It’s Easy to Maintain

If your epoxy floor is well-maintained, it can last a lifetime. However, you will want to avoid spills and large gouges on the surface. To do this, protect the floor with plywood or mats when you move heavy equipment, vehicles and materials around the garage. Use welding mats when you weld in the garage, and place small pieces of wood under the wheels of any jacks you use to lift items on the floor to prevent dents or scratching.

Epoxy floors are resistant to chemicals that can etch concrete, but it is important to clean up any chemical spills promptly and thoroughly. It’s also a good idea to put down mats or rugs in areas where chemicals frequently spill or drip.

Ensure that the garage is clean and dry before applying the first coat of epoxy. The floor must be completely free of oil, grease, dust, dirt and any other foreign matter to be suitable for coating. Choosing a day with ideal environmental conditions is also important.

The garage should be kept ventilated during the application and initial curing of the epoxy. After mixing the epoxy resin and hardener per manufacturer instructions, start applying the material to the garage floor. Work in 10-by-10-foot sections. Apply the epoxy in a “W” pattern. Be sure to backroll each section to eliminate roller marks and create a smooth, uniform finish. Let the first coat dry according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Once the first coat is fully cured, apply the clear topcoat over it. Work in the same way that you applied the color coat, using a “W” pattern and backrolling to create a smooth, even finish. Let the clear coat cure for 24 hours before foot traffic and vehicles return to the garage.