If you’re planning to install an epoxy coating in your Eastern Pennsylvania garage, proper concrete preparation is essential. Cracks, surface contaminants, and moisture vapor all play a major role in how well a coating bonds and how long it lasts. When an epoxy floor coating fails prematurely, the cause is almost always traced back to shortcuts taken before installation.
Here’s what homeowners should know about preparing a concrete garage floor the right way.
Why Concrete Cracks Must Be Repaired Before an Epoxy Floor Coating
Every experienced installer understands the reality of concrete. There are two types of concrete: concrete that’s cracked, and concrete that’s going to crack. Whether the slab is newly poured or decades old, expansion and contraction are inevitable.
Because concrete moves, cracks should never be repaired with rigid patching materials. Before installing an epoxy floor, cracks must be repaired using a flexible elastomeric filler. This allows the repair to move with the slab, helping mitigate inevitable shifting that could otherwise lead to visible crack lines or coating failure over time.
Why Grinding Is Critical When Preparing for Garage Floor Coatings
Surface preparation involves far more than cleaning. Sweeping, degreasing, and even acid etching do not create the consistent surface profile required for proper adhesion.
Professional installers use diamond grinding equipment to open the pores of the concrete so the garage floor coating can bond effectively. Grinding also removes embedded contaminants and reveals surface issues that must be addressed before the coating is applied.
Moisture Mitigation and Its Role in Garage Floor Performance
All concrete contains moisture. Before applying epoxy floor coatings, installers should test moisture levels using calibrated meters. If moisture readings are elevated, a slower-curing moisture-mitigating epoxy primer (never a polyurea or polyaspartic) is necessary to prevent blistering and delamination.
Use of the slower curing epoxy as the base coat is one reason higher-quality systems often require a 2 days installation, instead of a rushed 1-day approach. Moisture mitigation protects the bond below the surface, where most coating failures begin.
Ready for a Coating Done Right?
If you’re considering an epoxy floor coating for your garage, make sure crack repair and concrete preparation are handled correctly from the start. East PA Garage Floor Coating specializes in professional surface prep, flexible crack repair, and moisture-mitigating systems designed for long-term performance and beauty.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn what a properly prepared epoxy floor coating should deliver for years to come.