You've probably heard about floor epoxy. It's a popular choice for coating floors and other surfaces, but you might not know what it is or how to use it. If so, keep reading! We'll explain what epoxy resin is and why it might be right for sealing your floor.
What is Epoxy?
Epoxy is a resin. Resins are organic compounds that can be cross-linked to form thermosetting plastics. Cross-linking occurs when two chemicals join in a chemical reaction that creates a network of molecules, creating a solid material with superior strength and durability. For example, when you buy epoxy resin at the hardware store, it comes as two separate solutions: one purple and one clear (or white). You mix them together and they begin to cure into an extremely hard plastic material that can withstand high temperatures or even water pressure beneath the surface of the water (like in your pool).
Epoxies are polymerized liquids—that means they have molecules that are stacked together in repetitive chains called chains of epoxide units. Once these chains reach their full length, they become too heavy for any additional molecules to attach themselves; this is called “polymerization.” Epoxies also have an amine curing agent added so that once polymerization occurs, the amine groups will react with each other and cause crosslinking during curing which makes the bonds between the epoxy molecules more stable than those between normal polymers like nylon or styrofoam would be without it
Why Seal a Floor?
- Protect Your Floor
Floor epoxy is great for protecting your floors from wear and tear, especially if you have children or pets. The sealant helps keep them looking like new for longer.
- Make It Easier to Clean
Sealing a floor makes it easier to clean because it prevents stains from becoming permanent and seals in the dirt, making it easier to remove stains when they appear on the surface of your floors. Epoxy also acts as a barrier between grime and concrete so that nothing can seep into those pores – thus keeping concrete stronger over time!
- Protect Against Chemicals
Floor epoxy is effective at preventing chemicals from entering into cracks in concrete because epoxy forms a tight seal around these cracks (unlike other types of sealants). This means that even if there has been some damage done by chemicals in your home before applying epoxy, they will be less likely to come back through those cracks once epoxied over with another layer of protection against any future chemical exposure!
Types of Floors That Might need Sealing With Epoxy Resin
Epoxy is a type of resin that can be used in many different applications. It's commonly used to make floors and other surfaces more durable and waterproof, but it also has other uses. If your floor is made of concrete, epoxy can help to seal cracks in the cement. Epoxy resin will also make your floor stronger if it was damaged by water or other liquids like oil or grease.
If you have a basement with leaks coming from pipes or around plumbing fixtures, you may be able to use epoxy resin as an adhesive between the subflooring boards so they stay together better during flooding conditions. Before installing new tile on top of old tile surfaces, you might want to consider applying an adhesive layer of epoxy first so they don't loosen over time due to changes in humidity levels (known as hydrostatic).
What Is the Process for Sealing or Coating a Floor?
If you're preparing your floor for sealing or coating, it's important to understand the process. Here are some of the steps involved:
- Use a sealer to protect the floor. This is a waterproof coating that protects against stains and can be applied directly over concrete. You can find many types of sealers available in different colors and textures, allowing you to customize them according to your home's decor.
- Use a primer if needed on porous surfaces like concrete and wood floors before applying additional coats of paint or new floor epoxy with designs etched into them (such as diamond-patterned). Primers help prevent chipping or peeling when applied prior to other coatings on top of them
Benefits of Floor Epoxy
Floor epoxy is a durable, low-maintenance flooring solution that's easy to clean and resistant to chemicals. Because it has a high sheen and can be applied in any color or texture, it's an excellent choice for high-traffic areas like retail stores, restaurants, and casinos as well as schools and other institutions.
When choosing between flooring options for your home or business, think about how much wear and tear the space will see. If you're looking for something that will hold up over time but doesn't require ongoing maintenance or refinishing work (like stripping old paint), then epoxy may be right for you!
Use it along with safety precautions, it can protect your floor and even your health
As with any chemical, epoxy can be dangerous. Connecting with your local health department or the EPA is a good place to start if you're concerned about whether it's safe for you or your family. If not used properly, epoxy could cause harm to humans and animals. When used as directed, though, epoxy can protect floors from spills and other accidents by keeping them safe from water damage and stains.
Also, keep in mind that certain types of flooring may not be suitable for coating with a chemical like epoxy (for example natural wood). In addition to being harmful if installed incorrectly and left unmonitored while curing (which can take up to 72 hours), some types of flooring may not react well when coated in an adhesive substance like epoxy—this could result in discoloration or peeling off over time!
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many benefits to coating your floor with epoxy resin. It can protect your floor from damage and wear, it's easy to apply and maintain, and it even has some health benefits. But before you decide to use epoxy on your floors, make sure that they're suitable for such treatment and that the process is done properly by professionals who know what they're doing.
Learn more at The Paver Sealer Store!
