How an Epoxy Floor Is Installed

1. Measure-up and moisture check. The installer visits, measures the floor and checks the concrete for cracks, old coatings and damp. A new slab normally needs about four weeks to dry before it can be coated.
2. Written quote. It names the preparation method, the products, the number of coats, the finish and how many days the job takes.
3. You clear the space. The garage or room is emptied, with access to a plug point and somewhere to park outside for a few days.
4. Diamond grinding. The surface is ground to open up the concrete and remove old paint and the weak top layer, with a vacuum attached to keep the dust down.
5. Repairs. Cracks, holes and damaged edges are filled and ground flush.
6. Primer. A thin coat soaks into the concrete and gives the next layers something to grip.
7. Base coat. The coloured layer. On industrial floors this can be a thicker self-levelling coat.
8. Flakes or metallic effect. Only if you chose one. Flakes are thrown into the wet base, and metallic is worked by hand.
9. Topcoat. Clear epoxy or a UV-stable topcoat, with anti-slip grit where needed.
10. Curing and handover. Walk after about a day, light use after about three, vehicles after five to seven. Full resistance to chemicals takes around a week.

What you'll need to do

• Empty the room or garage before the installer arrives.
• Keep children and pets away while it cures.
• Leave windows or the garage door open a little for fresh air.
• Don't wash the floor with strong cleaners in the first week.

Winter and summer installs in Bloemfontein

Winter nights here drop close to freezing, and cold concrete slows curing, so winter jobs are often planned around the warmer middle of the day, sometimes with a heater. In midsummer, heat shortens the time the installer has to work each batch, so work often starts early in the morning. Neither season stops a job, but it can change the timing.

Want the cost side? See what affects the price, or the epoxy flooring questions page.