CONCRETE MAINTENANCE & CARE

Cleaning & Maintenance Tips for Garage Floor Coatings

01. Allow Sufficient Time for Floor Curing

The curing time for the coating depends on factors such as temperature, atmospheric conditions, and concrete condition. To ensure proper curing, it is recommended to allow a minimum of 24 hours before allowing foot traffic and at least 48 hours before driving or placing heavy objects on the floor. The full curing process will take approximately seven days.

02. Refrain from Dragging Weighty Items

Avoid dragging heavy items across the epoxy floor to prevent scratching or damage, despite the high abrasion resistance of our ZG-SHIELD® coating. When adding heavy cabinets, it is recommended to use floor pads under the legs to provide additional protection.

03. Promptly Address any Spills or Stains

While the coating provides stain resistance, it is important to note that it is not completely immune to stains. To maintain the appearance of your floor, it is recommended to promptly wipe up any oil or stains in a timely manner.

04. Avoid Harsh Chemicals or Acidic Substances

It is crucial to be aware that battery acid can cause damage to the epoxy and polyaspartic coating.
For electric golf carts, it is advisable to use a golf cart parking mat or place a cookie sheet beneath the battery compartment.
Similarly, motorcycles and vehicles with small batteries that have vented batteries should also use a mat or tray to prevent any acid discharge onto the garage floor.
Be extra cautious with substances like brake fluid and other highly corrosive agents.

05. Minimize Continuous Abrasion

A good example of this is running your vehicle with tracks on top of your coating on the off chance you decide to use the same spot over and over again you will eventually wear the coating down and damage that spot.

06. Safely Clean Your Epoxy Coating

Begin the floor cleaning process by sweeping, vacuuming, or using a blower to remove debris from the garage floor. Mist the floor lightly using a pump-sprayer or garden hose, avoiding excessive water saturation.
Then, effectively remove dust, dirt, light stains, and debris by utilizing a soft-foam squeegee. Unlike a rubber squeegee that can smear dirt and oil, the foam squeegee captures and eliminates dirt and oil by pulling them out with the water.

07. Refrain from Using Detergents or Waxes on Your Epoxy Floors

Avoid using detergents or waxes to clean your garage floor coating as they can leave a residue that eventually makes the floor appear hazy and dull. Additionally, such products may hinder the repair process. The same applies to mopping additives like “Mop & Glo.”

If you require more than just water for cleaning, consider alternatives like Simple Green, vinegar, or ammonia, which can effectively clean the surface without causing damage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What surface types can be coated with epoxy or polyurea?

You can have any interior or exterior concrete surface coated since the resin is weather resistant.

Interior: garage, basement, kitchen, hallway, bathroom, etc.

Exterior: balcony, stairs, pool surround, gazebo or patio slab, etc.

How much does an epoxy or polyurea coating cost?

It’s very affordable. The cost is based on the square footage or by contract and varies according to:

The concrete preparation required.
Precautions that need to be taken in the direct work environment (e.g., covering flowerbeds and shrubs around outdoor stairs).
The design complexity.
Contact us for a free quote. We’ll also take the opportunity to answer all your questions.

Are polyurea and epoxy compatible with floor heating?

Yes! All types of floor heating installations can be covered with epoxy or polyurea.

Which coating is better: polyurea or epoxy?

It comes down to a matter of taste and what you want to cover. For instance, you can’t use the metallic coating outside. Inside, though, there are no limitations and the quality of the products is the same.

Who prepares the concrete?

Dry blasting is carried out by the epoxy or polyurea coating installer. The absence of water during the process allows for same-day application. This process also repairs cracks to ensure uniform application.

Do you perform garage floor coating even in winter?

Yes, we can install the coating even in winter. There are no temperature constraints down to -30 degrees Celsius.

Can more than one colour be used for the same epoxy- or polyurea-coated floor?

You can use different colours and vinyl flakes in your coating. It’s even possible to include a logo or other design. Discuss this with your installer when you request your quote. No project is too big for us.

Do I need to leave the house during installation or is it safe to stay?

There’s no danger to you, your children, or your pets. Our products contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and create minimal dust during installation.

Can floor or stair slopes be corrected with epoxy or polyurea?

The simple answer is no, as the product is not designed for this purpose.

However, you can ask your Zone Garage branch for additional information. Some installers can provide this service on an exceptional basis. It goes without saying that additional costs will be incurred.

What is the warranty for epoxy or polyurea coating?

The product is guaranteed against unexplained delamination for a period of 20 years. The guarantee doesn’t cover local discolouration, deep cracks or scratches, tire marks, or concrete delamination.

The 20-year guarantee is non-transferable. This means that if you sell your property, the new owners will not be covered.

Is this type of coating guaranteed against water penetration?

The resin coating is waterproof, but Zone Garage is not a waterproofing and insulation company. Epoxy or polyurea is not a solution for water infiltration.

What’s the turnaround time to install a coating during the busy season?

Our busy period is between April and October; you should allow two to four weeks for the work to start. For a quicker turnaround, have the coating installed between November and March.

Please note that these lead times are approximate and may vary from branch to branch and according to demand.

How long does polyurea or epoxy take to dry?

As a rule, under the best conditions, the coating drying stages are:

90 minutes – base coat
3 hours – top coat, OK for foot traffic
24 hours – OK for heavy objects such as furniture
5 to 7 days – OK for vehicle traffic

How do I maintain an epoxy or polyurea floor?

Epoxy and polyurea are materials that require minimal maintenance. As a rule, mopping with plenty of water and a little mild soap is sufficient.

However, for textured (non-slip) floors, use a floor brush. Always use water and mild soap and brush gently to ensure that all micro dirt is removed.

How do I remove tire marks or other stains from an epoxy coating?

Stains can be easily cleaned with water and mild soap, using a cloth, mop, or brush. Even tire stains are easy to remove, if you regularly clean the area where your vehicle is parked.

Recalcitrant tire marks
Be aware that exterior debris, combined with interior garage dust and heat from the tires, creates grip on the ground and eventually forms a stubborn gummy surface. The key is to clean this specific area regularly to prevent it from forming.

Do I need to protect my flooring to keep it shiny?

No. Some companies will tell you that adding a clear coat will make your epoxy or polyurea floor shine, but we do not recommend this approach. The extra layer won’t adhere as well to the existing floor.

Can an epoxy or polyurea surface be repaired?

Yes, a surface can be repaired, but such a repair will often be apparent, especially if it is a large crack.

It is easier to camouflage a repair with vinyl flake coating; with metallic colours and the unique design of each coating, it is hard to recreate the same shade.

Will you coat the front aprons?

Aprons are the section of concrete between the garage door and the driveway. This is standard practice for Zone Garage Nova Scotia but if you don’t want it coated, let us know. Please inquire for more information.

Can you coat my deck?

We can coat your deck and most other outside surfaces. Call our sales staff and let them know about your project so we can guide you towards the best coating solution.

call for your free quote

Call Us : (902) 986-6900