Protect Your High Traffic Areas

February 3, 2025

High-traffic areas like warehouses, garages, kitchens, and retail spaces demand surfaces that can withstand constant use without showing signs of wear. Traditional flooring options often struggle to hold up, leading to cracks, stains, and frequent maintenance. That’s why Epoxy.com’s high-performance coatings are the ideal solution for these demanding spaces. In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of epoxy for high-traffic areas and why it’s the best choice for durability and style.

The Challenges of High-Traffic Areas

Heavy foot traffic, vehicles, and equipment place significant stress on flooring. Common problems in high-traffic areas include:

        •        Cracks and Chips: Repeated use weakens the surface, causing visible damage.

        •        Stains and Spills: Grease, chemicals, and dirt can penetrate unprotected surfaces, leaving permanent stains.

        •        Frequent Repairs: Traditional materials like bare concrete or tile often require costly and time-consuming repairs.

        •        Safety Concerns: Slippery surfaces increase the risk of accidents, especially in busy environments.

Epoxy coatings address these challenges with superior performance and versatility.

Why Epoxy Coatings Are Ideal for High-Traffic Spaces

        1.        Durability to Withstand Heavy Use

Epoxy.com coatings are designed to handle the toughest conditions:

        •        Resist wear and tear from foot traffic, vehicles, and machinery.

        •        Maintain their integrity even under heavy loads, such as forklifts or pallet jacks in warehouses.

        2.        Chemical and Stain Resistance

        •        Prevent damage from grease, oil, cleaning agents, and other chemicals.

        •        Keep your surfaces looking pristine with minimal effort.

        3.        Seamless and Easy to Clean

        •        Epoxy creates a seamless, non-porous surface that won’t trap dirt or debris.

        •        Makes cleaning quick and easy, reducing downtime in busy environments.

        4.        Enhanced Safety Features

        •        Optional anti-slip finishes improve traction, reducing the risk of accidents.

        •        High-gloss finishes enhance visibility, especially in low-light areas.

        5.        Aesthetic Appeal

        •        Available in a variety of colors and finishes, from sleek metallics to decorative flakes, epoxy coatings elevate the look of any space.

        •        Combine style with function for a polished, professional appearance.

Best Applications for Epoxy in High-Traffic Areas

Epoxy.com coatings are versatile and work well in:

        •        Warehouses: Protect floors from heavy equipment, forklifts, and constant foot traffic.

        •        Garages: Withstand the weight of vehicles while resisting oil spills and stains.

        •        Kitchens: Create a seamless, hygienic surface that’s easy to clean and maintain.

        •        Retail Spaces: Enhance the aesthetic of your shop while standing up to customer foot traffic.

        •        Hospitals and Labs: Provide durable, chemical-resistant surfaces for high-demand environments.

How to Apply Epoxy in High-Traffic Spaces

To get the most out of your epoxy coating, proper application is essential:

        1.        Prepare the Surface:

        •        Clean thoroughly to remove grease, dirt, and dust.

        •        Repair any cracks or damage using a patching compound.

        2.        Apply a Primer:

        •        Use a primer to ensure strong adhesion and enhance durability.

        3.        Mix and Apply the Epoxy:

        •        Combine the resin and hardener and mix thoroughly.

        •        Apply evenly using a roller or squeegee, working in sections.

        4.        Add a Topcoat (Optional):

        •        For added protection and specific features like anti-slip or UV resistance, apply a topcoat.

        5.        Allow for Curing:

        •        Let the coating cure fully before heavy use (typically 48–72 hours).

Why Choose Epoxy.com for High-Traffic Areas?

At Epoxy.com, we offer coatings specifically designed to withstand the demands of high-traffic environments. Our products are:

        •        Industry-tested for durability and chemical resistance.

        •        Easy to apply with step-by-step guides for DIYers and professionals.

        •        Customizable with various colors and finishes to suit your style and functional needs.

Upgrade Your High-Traffic Space Today

Don’t let wear and tear compromise your workspace. With Epoxy.com’s coatings, you can protect your surfaces while enhancing their look and functionality. Whether it’s a busy warehouse, bustling retail shop, or family garage, epoxy coatings are the perfect solution for high-traffic areas.

Ready to upgrade your surfaces?

Ready to start your garage transformation?

For more detailed information Contact Us Today.

Call:

321-206-1833 (orders)

352-533-2167 (technical support)

Email: sales@epoxy.com

Visit: www.epoxy.com


Mitigation of Concrete Slab Chemical Vapors

January 29, 2020

How do I stop chemicals gas vapors from contaminated soils passing though a concrete slab? This is a question I get frequently from owners and environmental mitigation experts.

Background

Chemical contamination vapors tend to pass though a concrete slab and get into the air above. Stopping the migration of the gas through a slab is frequently a requirement of repurposing a space.

The following steps can be used to mitigate chemical vapors into your space above it. Without the right tools these vapors in the air from contamination under that slab can be quite pervasive.

Each job needs to be evaluated on an individual bases. The tools below make the solution less evasive.

Cracks through the Concrete Slab

The most direct way for soil contamination gasses to get in is through cracks. Cracks are the path of least resistance, so most of your vapors come through cracks in the floor. That is a very easy fix Product #684LV – Methyl Methacrylate Crack Healer and Sealer.

The #684LV has about the viscosity (thickness) of diesel fuel. That makes it easy to gravity feed into small cracks small porous areas of the concrete. It welds the cracks back together with a bond strength that is greater than the tensile strength of the concrete. In other words structurally you have the monolithic structure that the concrete was intended to be.

Expansion Joints

Expansion joints are the also a very direct route for vapors to come in. To seal these joints use Product #632 – Chemical Resistant Joint Filler. This is a highly chemical resistant joint filler. It will not only keep the vapors out. If there is going to be a chemical exposure to the surface there will it will stop the chemicals from attacking your concrete and further contaminating the soils below it.

Sealing the Surface of the Concrete Slab.

The next step is to prime the concrete with Product #12 Chemical Resistant Primer / Sealer.

This is where there is a couple of ways to go. You can apply an additional coat or coats of the #12 or go on to Coating the Concrete Slab below. Our optional translucent Synthetic Anti-Skid Fine may be added to the #12 if it is used in additional coats as a clear sealer.

The Product #12 Primer Sealer can also be mixed with silica sand and used as a patching material for potholes and otherwise damaged concrete if required.

Coating the Concrete Slap 

In many cases you will want to install a coating over the concrete slab.  There are a number of options for doing this but here are a few of the most common ones.  The biggest difference between these coatings is the chemical resistance. Please See Chemical Resistance Chart for a comparison of chemical resistance of the products below. All of these products are 100% solid, zero voc.  All of the coatings in this section are highly durable and resist the abrasion of traffic. 

UV Resistant Top-Coating

For jobs that will see direct sunlight.  It may be desirable to add an ultra violet (UV) Resistant top coating for the systems above.  


Choosing the Right Epoxy Sealer

May 18, 2015

Having the knowledge of which type of sealer to use is extremely important to the overall satisfaction of the job. There are 3 basic types of epoxy sealers. The first is 100% solids epoxy, solvent based sealants and finally water based sealers. There are also urethane and acrylic sealers.

To understand how each sealant works one must understand how they act as an epoxy. http://www.epoxy.com/primersealer.aspx . The 100% solids epoxy when applied to a floor retains a consistent thickness. Epoxy.com #15 http://www.epoxy.com/15.aspx is the best product for maintaining a clear epoxy sealer without any loss of thickness due to evaporation. If you roll a gallon of material on your floor, when it hardens you maintain the thickness of the full gallon of spread coverage.

Epoxy.com #15 can be used to seal previously installed epoxy and river rock stone on pool decks or walkways. It also seals Epoxy Chip flooring, as well as acts as a binger and sealer to Epoxy quartz flooring. It provides protection, just the right amount of shine and helps to keep the water from permeating the underlying concrete. It also works well inside in garages. It is our most versatile sealer that we offer it works great on concrete inside and when properly installed outdoors.

When you apply a water based sealer or solvated sealer you will consistently loose a percentage of the thickness due to evaporation. Even though this is the case there are times when a 100% solids epoxy may not do exactly what you need it to accomplish. In this case we offer products with different components and viscosity to suit your needs as a consumer.

Epoxy.com #671  is a low viscosity, two component, carbon filled, polyamide modified conductive primer/sealer formulated with special wetting agents to provide maximum penetration into concrete surfaces. Product #671 Primer Sealer is ideal for both new and old concrete surfaces. Product #671 Conductive Epoxy Primer Sealer provides excellent resistance to wear, and can be used either alone or as a conductive sealer or as a conductive epoxy primer when used with Product #674 Electro-Static Dissipating Urethane Topcoat and our Conductive Systems.

Epoxy.com #80 is a solvented clear acrylic solution formulated to create a clear, non-yellowing protective coating. Product #80 ACRYLIC SEALER http://www.epoxy.com/acrylic-sealer.aspx provides a tough, UV and abrasion resistant film that effectively protects surfaces from moisture penetration, staining, dirt, dust, and wear. It is good for both indoor as well as outdoor applications. This works well to seal existing terrazzo floors and as well as slate.

For those in California, who don’t want to use a 100% solid material, we offer Epoxy.com http://www.epoxy.com/High-Solids-Urethane-Coating.aspx Epoxy.com # 441 is free of the health and environmental problems normally found in solvent-based urethanes, while maintaining excellent performance properties. The very low VOCs allows this urethane coating to meet the strict low VOC standards. Epoxy.com # 441 Polyurethane Coating and Sealer provides a matte finish. Product #441 water-based urethane coating and sealer has good chemical, stain, and mar resistance.

Finally the most important thing to remember when you are choosing an Epoxy.com Sealer is to make sure you are using The Right Product for The Right Job. If you would like assistance with your selection please call our Technical Support Line at 352-533-2167 and we will be happy to assist you.


Poured Concrete Basement Waterproofing with Epoxy

September 18, 2014

This is the second half of a 2 part of a series on basement waterproofing with epoxy. In Part 1, we discussed waterproofing block wall foundations with epoxy. In Part 2A we discuss how to identify leaks that need waterproofing in basement walls, and floors that are made out of poured concrete. In this part (2B) will deal with epoxy injection repairs of cracks in poured concrete, that cause the leaks.

Earlier we discussed how many homes and businesses experience leaky basements year after year. The worse time is in the spring and after heavy rain. We discussed prudent things that you can do to improve drainage against your foundation. Epoxy Injection is designed to waterproof and give you the concrete’s structural integrity back.

Why Epoxy Inject the Cracks?

We discussed in our last article that cracking is a sign of failure caused by stresses, inadequate design, improper curing, etc. One of the dangers of a structural crack is the effect that it has on the reinforcing bar. The reinforcing represents one of the main structural values of the concrete. Cracks left unprepared allow water to enter your basement and attack the rebar.

Epoxy injection resin has two purposes:

  1. It effectively seals the crack to prevent the damaging moisture entry. Second, it monolithically welds the structure together.
  2. The injection also stops the infiltration of water into your basement.

Epoxy Injection Port Setting

Clean the concrete on both sides of the crack being careful not to force concrete dust into the crack. Concrete dust can be detrimental to the injection processes in several ways. Vacuum the area completely with a shop vac.

You need to determine the spacing of ports to be set. The spacing is a factor of the tightness of the crack and the depth of the concrete substrate. Spacing is normally between four (4) and eight (8) inches.

Port Setting and Sealing

Align ports directly over cracks. That allows injection resin to flow into the crack. Seal surface cracks and the ports in place. Sealing the exterior of cracks is done with Epoxy Gel #2006.

Selecting the Right Epoxy Injection Resin

Epoxy injection resin should typically be low viscosity injection resin- Epoxy Injection Resin #301. It must be low viscosity resin so it will flow in the smallest hair line cracks. Resin can travel several feet from the point of injection. It may take some time before reaching the next port or penetrating through pin holes in the surface. Epoxy injection effectively fills cracks including small voids and hairline cracks

Pumping Epoxy Injection Resin

The most economical way to deliver the epoxy injection is with the 450 ml binary injection system, a manual gun, or the pneumatically driven one. This uses a binary caulking gun with static mix tubes to inject the resin, insuring continuously mixed fresh material.

Limit pressure, low pressures allow gradual resin flow into the crack for deeper penetration. Start injection at the lowest point, and continues upward on the crack area. While injecting the lowest port, resin will flow to and out of the next higher port.

When pure resin is flowing out the next port cap, plug the current injection port and move to the next port. Then injection continues in the port showing resin flow. This procedure continues until all ports are full.

CONCLUSION

Epoxy injection is very effective at repairing concrete cracks and cutting of water infiltration. The right resin and equipment is critical. Epoxy injection makes a crack watertight while restoring the original structural integrity intended for the concrete. You can get all of the material you need to do this by contacting us:

321-206-1833 Customer Service – Ordering and Order Status
Katey Fontaine, VP – Customer Service Director
sales@epoxy.com

Technical Support
352-533-2167
Norm Lambert, President
Technical Support Director
info@epoxy.com

Additional Resources

http://www.epoxy.com/injection.aspx