When you invest the time and money to have an epoxy or urethane floor coating done at your facility, you expect it to perform well and last for many years. Therefore, after a few days of work completion, you see the widespread of bubbles and blisters on the coating. This may disappoint you badly. However, the blistering and bubbling problem is quite common in an industrial floor. In this blog, you will know about the problems that occur and solutions to prevent these predicaments. Where you can ask experts as well, they will let you know everything precisely. If you have any query regarding epoxy floor or urethane, concrete sealer, you can reach out to Tuff Build, Epoxy Flooring Services in Melbourne.
Why do Coating Blisters Appear?
Blisters and bubbles are the same in appearance, however, their causes are absolutely different. Osmotic blistering occurs when a coated surface is repeatedly exposed to moisture or excessive humidity. The concrete itself may be the source of the moisture; water vapor may be rising through the porous concrete from the ground or as a result of curing.
The danger of blistering damage can also be increased by contamination with water-soluble salts or solvents, temperature variations across the coated surface during application, or both.
What Causes Floor Coating Bubbles?
Bubbling often results from environmental or substrate issues, especially during the drying or curing phase, rather than water damage.
When a floor coating is placed on concrete on a sunny day and exposed to direct sunlight while it dries. For instance, the top layers will dry more quickly than the layers closer to the substrate. Hence, this will result in bubbling when the different temperatures come into contact.
Additionally, the following issues can result in bubbling:
- Flooring that is too porous for the floor covering you’ve chosen
- temperature during application that are outside the advised range
- application of the coating layers that are very thick and results in uneven curing
Preventative Steps
According to the proverb, prevention is always preferable to treatment. You should have a flooring professional assess your facility and inform you of any environmental issues that may damage your new floor coating before hiring a crew to apply your floor coating.
For instance, you should have your concrete professionally tested for moisture to see if a moisture vapor barrier is necessary to prevent scorching.
You must pick qualified installation staff after assessing your business. They will take the necessary precautions to clean and prep the floor in order to ensure that the coating adheres properly and achieves its maximum efficiency.
What Happens if my Floor is already Harmed?
A floor coating’s surface blistering and bubbling may be a functional issue that needs quick reapplication or repair. However, perhaps the issue is merely a visual one. While the majority of bubbling or blistering will need some sort of remedy, you can discover that your floor coating is able to last for the anticipated amount of time.
Examine the coating to check if the bubbling has damaged the coating’s structure or not. You might not need to be concerned if it does not fracture. To get advice on the best alternative for your building, you should consult a floor coating expert.
Do you Require a Floor Coating Expert?
Tuff builds coatings makes a concerted effort to prevent any scorching or bubbling in newly applied floor coatings. We do on-site inspections so that we are fully aware of the substrate we are dealing with and the specifications of the project. We Tuff Build, Epoxy Flooring Services in Melbourne.
Advice on Applying Polyurethane
After opening the can, you need to stir the paint since some of the ingredients might be there at the bottom of the tin. Remember to stir the paint rather than shaking the tin to prevent bubbles from forming, which will result in an uneven finish.
Mineral spirits can be used to thin the sealing coat prior to application, but it is not required. Always read the manufacturer’s directions on the label before using something. Mineral spirits should make up one part of the mixture, and polyurethane should make up the other two parts. Thinning the paint, however, will aid to increase the flow and make it simpler for it to go into any crevices or nooks, preventing paint build-up.
Before moving on, let the sealing coat dry. With 220-grit sandpaper, you can now refinish the wood surface. This will aid in preventing surface scratches that will be visible in the finished product.
Advice on Installing a Urethane Floor Successfully
For both commercial and industrial operations, urethane is a great alternative for floor coating. The floor of an industrial production plant can be protected with a few coatings of polyurethane, giving it a smooth, long-lasting surface with better resistance to corrosion, abrasion, and chemical exposure.
There are several general rules to follow when applying urethane coatings, whether for DIY projects or professionally placed industrial floor coatings. For the best outcomes while putting in urethane floor coating, pay close attention to these two essential suggestions:
First, prepare the surface well
One of the most crucial things to keep in mind while preparing a surface for urethane flooring or any type of floor is to thoroughly clean, dry, and remove any leftover coatings. To give the new coating more surface area to adhere to, the surface must next be roughened.
Before applying urethane on concrete, any chemicals, oils, or similar substances must be eliminated, and the floor must then be ground using a shot blaster, diamond grinder, or comparable tool.
2.Know the difference between water and solvent-based Polyurethanes
Water-based Polyurethanes
These have thinner coats
These dry more quickly
These may cost more
These have less of an odor during application and curing
Solvent-based Polyurethanes
These have thicker coats
These typically dry more slowly
These are less expensive
They may have a strong lingering solvent odor
Create a Urethane Floor with the Right Aesthetics
There are two prime reasons to apply urethane floor coating.
- It improves the floor functions such as durability, chemical resistance, longevity etcetera.
- It enhances the aesthetic of the floor.
Transparent vs. Pigmented Urethane
It is possible to apply urethane coatings as a colored or clear topcoat. The coating option that suits the best to your needs.
Using Pigmented Urethane to Cover Your Floor
Many of our clients are business or property owners who only need to conceal the stains and chipping in their current flooring and don’t necessarily want to replace it. For instance, a new business owner purchasing a dilapidated warehouse to repair and convert into a brewery is looking for ways to enhance the area without tearing out more than is necessary. Applying a urethane coating is a great alternative if the warehouse floor’s structural integrity is still intact because urethane may be applied to ancient floors without removing any preexisting floor coatings.
We advise colored urethane coating for these consumers who are genuinely seeking to conceal aged floors. Color will conceal all of the imperfections that give the floor an aged and worn appearance. It’s the ideal technique to give an aged floor new life while also bolstering its surface.
Enhancing Your Floor with Transparent Urethane
Many consumers want to give their floor a bit extra shine even though they are satisfied with the way it looks overall. Customers with tile floors or epoxy floors that were specifically installed with colors or textures are a common source for this. They simply want to add a tough topcoat rather than covering up the already gorgeous floor.
We advise using urethane as a clear finish in these situations. Applying urethane on epoxy is not a problem because, as was already said, urethane coatings may be used on a number of floor surfaces. In reality, it will only make your floor better by making it more durable.
A Floor of Shiny Urethane
Urethane coatings are glossy by nature. The end result can be a glossy floor whether you want to use a transparent topcoat or a pigmented coating.
Let Tuff Build, Epoxy Flooring Services in Melbourne be your urethane floor installation experts! If you are in charge of a business or industrial building in Vancouver, get in touch with one of our flooring specialists for a free consultation. We would like to assist you in making the most of your new industrial floor covering!