Garage floor coatings of vinyl or epoxy are a preventative measure that strengthens and protects concrete floors. Floor coatings offer a lot of variety and can be applied to a property owner’s specification when it comes to color, material, and thickness. Sometimes, however, removing garage floor coatings becomes necessary. For example, if a property changes ownership, the new owner may not share the previous one’s preferences.

When changes to a floor coating need to be made, professional coating removal may also extend concrete’s durability and improve the look of a given space. At Garage Floor Masters, we offer impressive results whether you need your floor coating applied or removed.

Why Would You Want to Remove a Garage Floor Coating?

Garage floor coatings protect concrete surfaces and improve the appearance of a floor. They also extend the life of a concrete floor and add value to a property, so why would you want to remove them? A few situations necessitate the need for change. If you lay a floor coating yourself and the finished product doesn’t meet your expectations, you may have to resort to pulling it up again.

Removing garage floor coatings presents more than a little difficulty because epoxy resins bind with the surface of the concrete. We certainly don’t recommend handling the removal yourself. Professional floor coating removal is a much quicker and less disruptive process. In fact, if a coating is applied incorrectly or there are any flaws in the installation, removal will need to be performed by a professional.

Removing Garage Floor Coatings 

Epoxy garage floor coatings are designed to be enduring and to hold up well under wear and tear. This can make them difficult to remove. Removing garage floor coatings can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially depending on the size of your garage floor. Though the process is difficult, floor coatings can be removed with a combination of elbow grease and chemical means.

Scraping and Solvents

With a little determination, removing garage floor coatings can be managed by scraping and a little acetone or paint thinner. Using a tungsten blade scraper with a long handle, homeowners can remove floor coating residue that has been weakened with a corrosive solvent. This method is not for the faint of heart. The chemical reaction between solvent and epoxy produces noxious fumes, so wearing protective gear is a must.

Using a mop, cover the coated floor with a solvent that is specific to the kind of floor covering on your property. Follow all dilution instructions to the letter to avoid injury or damage to the concrete itself. When the coating pulls away from the concrete, scrape it away. The process is generally effective, but the process may need to be repeated several times to ensure all remnants of the floor coating are removed.

Grinding

Removing garage floor coatings can also be managed with a floor grinder (similar to a sander, though designed to remove much sterner stuff). Choose your unit carefully; some models are fueled by propane while others run on electricity. You will also need some specific tools for grinding away coating material in corners. Manufacturers provide edgers or edging attachments for the purpose.

Grinding floor coatings away is a process a little more finessed than scraping, though it is still important to wear protective clothing during the process. Diamond pads allow users to determine how deeply the machine cuts into the coating’s surface. Lower grit ratings (20-80) are better at deep cuts while higher numbers (nearer 100) are better for detailing and smoothing.

No matter which pads are on the machine, grinding down a garage floor coating requires delicate handling to avoid damaging the concrete beneath. Grind in one direction for an even surface, removing the debris that flies off as you work. When all the grinding is completed, the concrete underneath should be thoroughly cleaned with water and soap.

Restoring a Floor Coating After Removal

The process to restore a garage floor coating after one has been removed is dependent on whether the removal was partial or complete. Because installing a floor coating—especially after one has been removed—is a nuanced process, it is best to call in the cavalry. Let a professional contractor do the job.

An experienced professional will make sure all of the previous coating has been cleared away and that the concrete is prepared for a new coat (a process that can require acid etching). If you are thinking about removing garage floor coatings or restoring some that have been removed, give us a call at Garage Floor Masters.

As a homeowner, you know that there are many elements that can threaten your home’s structural integrity and beauty. Water damage, biological growth, animals and insects, and the wear of time are only a few of the things you must take measures to prevent. Sealing your basement floor is a majorly helpful tool in your arsenal.

There are many different kinds of floor sealants, including epoxy, polyurethane, and acrylic coatings. These specialized paints or sealants do wonders to improve the appearance of concrete floors and make them easier to clean. Most importantly, they act as a protective barrier against many threats to your home.

Moisture

Your basement is the part of your home most likely to experience issues with moisture. The external conditions and gravitational focus of basements make them vulnerable to high levels of external and internal water, and because many basements are used for little more than infrequently-accessed storage, water damage can be missed until the problem is dramatic.

Water in the wrong place can lead to many problems, from mold growth to structural rot, and unfortunately basements can receive too much displaced water in a lot of ways, including groundwater, heavy or undispersed rainfall, and leaking from household appliances. Sealing your basement floor goes a long way toward keeping the water out and protecting your floors.

In the Event of a Flood

The key to taking action against water damage is to find it quickly. Be mindful of these common signs of excess moisture in your basement:

• Humid or heavy air
• Foul smells of rot or mildew
• Dampness at the base of the walls
• Wet floors and walls or the presence of condensation
• Dripping water
• Damaged flooring
• Water-staining
• Paint peeling off of walls or furniture

If you have current moisture problems, consult professionals like restoration contractors to find out what can be done.

Sealing Your Basement Floor to Prevent Water Damage

Floor coatings cannot undo moisture damage or correct it, but they can protect your basement floor from having a problem in the first place or from another incident. Floor sealants are moisture-resistant, blocking water and other liquids from seeping into your porous concrete. This prevents staining and is a relatively easy way to make your floor essentially waterproof from above and below.

If you are sealing your basement floor after the effects of a heavy rainstorm or leak, all signs of water damage will need to be repaired and the concrete dried out first. Too much moisture in the floor or even in the room can alter how a floor coating cures, minimizing its efficacy. A professional installer will check the state of the floor to see if it can be covered.

Mildew and Mold

The same factors that make a basement vulnerable to water damage also make it more susceptible to biological growth, and because the basement serves as a home’s foundation, preventing microorganisms from infiltrating it is critical to your family’s health. Fortunately, sealing your basement floor is an excellent way to make it mold-resistant.

Floor coatings are nutrient-bare systems, so they do not support the growth of things like mildew, fungi, and mold. Because coatings make floors easier to clean, biological agents like mold and mildew don’t have a leg to stand on. If you clean your floors regularly, these insidious interlopers won’t have a chance to grow.

Mice 

If they can get into your home, mice cause copious amounts of damage. They eat through furniture, stored food, clothing, and even structural elements of a home. They can also carry disease. It is vital to keep mice from getting into your home, and surprisingly enough, sealing your basement floor can do just that.

When a basement floor coating is installed, the sealant is applied to the floor and extends several inches up the wall. This closes off any seams, cracks, and gaps through while mice and insects usually enter a home. By sealing the floor, you seal the inside of your house away from external elements, protecting it from these miniscule trespassers.

Mechanical Damage

Sealing your basement floor doesn’t just keep things out—it also keeps the concrete being sealed in. Over time, the top layer of concrete tends to wear down in a process known as dusting. The fine film of concrete particles created can exacerbate respiratory conditions like allergies and asthma, but laying a protective sealant on the concrete prevents the process from happening in the first place.

Floor coatings strengthen concrete generally, protecting it from heat, high humidity, salt damage, and UV rays. Floor coatings can also protect your floor from more mechanical damage, such as heavy foot traffic or dropping tools.