Hobby workspaces. Gaming dens. Art studios.
There are tons of uses for at-home garages and even more for commercial ones.
But using your garage regularly means more foot traffic. Wear and tear is inevitable.
Luckily, epoxy coatings for garage floors in Tampa can prevent damage!
Here, we’re going to talk about:
- Proper installation
- Preventative maintenance
- Appropriate cleaning
- Regular resealing
Read on to learn how you can protect concrete coatings in Tampa.
Utilize Professional Installation Services
Maintenance doesn’t work well on floor coatings that aren’t installed properly. Expert installation processes ensure that you can keep the floor clean and clear of scuffs and stains.
Experts will:
- Avoid abrasive cleaners
- Use appropriate installation tools
- Diamond grind the floor before new coatings
- Remove all pre-existing coatings
- Add skid guards to coatings when needed
- Tell you how long before you can walk and drive on the coating
This means that your future maintenance efforts will be effective and inexpensive. You won’t need to get serious work done again for a while.
Garage Flooring in Tampa: Understand Your Material
Trademark Garage Floors offers several garage floor coating options, including:
- Traditional epoxy
- Color chip floors for elevated aesthetics
- Urethane
- Polyaspartic polyurea, which is four times more durable than epoxy
Understanding the specific option you install lets you come up with the most effective maintenance regimen possible.
Professional cleaning services know all about each material. They:
- Know the strengths and weaknesses of each coating
- Have the tools needed to clean and maintain flooring
- Understand how to reapply coatings appropriately
- Have experience working with garage floors
- Know how to relay information to homeowners and business owners
Take Preventative Maintenance Measures
The best way to take care of your garage floors in St Pete is to avoid doing things that cause damage to them.
Avoiding heavy impacts means taking care not to drop heavy objects on the surface. Be careful when carrying anything that could crack or chip the epoxy coating.
Be careful when wheeling heavy machinery over garage floors in Tampa. Residential homeowners may have large saws on wheels and other heavy hobby tools in their garages. Industrial and commercial garages may have even more heavy-duty machinery like forklifts.
These can scuff the floors if you’re not careful, so be mindful.
Mats or rugs can protect the flooring underneath in high-traffic areas. Stick them underneath equipment and tools. Put them on pathways where people frequently walk.
Finally, make sure to inspect your flooring regularly. Check for signs of wear and tear once a month. This lets you find and fix problems early so you don’t need bigger repairs in the future.
Clean Up Spills Immediately
Garages often contain several liquids that can spill on your epoxy flooring, including:
- Water
- Oil
- Grease
- Pesticides
- Pool products
- Paint thinners
Water can cause fading over time. It’s also a slip hazard. However, it’s relatively harmless.
When you spill oil and chemicals on the floor, though, you could run into more problems. They stain easily. They also can cause erosion of the epoxy coating and the concrete underneath it.
Wipe up anything you spill on the floor immediately. Use a sponge or soft cloth to prevent scratching.
Speaking of scratching, you’ll also need to instantly sweep up anything that could scratch your floor. Sawdust can cause serious scratches when left on the top floor coating. Tacks and small nails can also cause serious damage.
Clean Your Garage Floors in Tampa Regularly
Sweep or vacuum the garage floor every two weeks. This removes:
- Sawdust
- Dust bunnies
- Dirt
Once a month, you should also clean up the floor using hot water. A mild ammonia-based detergent can increase the water’s impact.
Consider four ounces of ammonia per gallon of hot water. Make sure there are no abrasive citrus scents in the cleaner.
It’s also critical to dry the floor before applying your water/ammonia cleaner. Make sure that there’s no lingering debris on the surface. Grease and oil also should be eliminated.
If you don’t sweep and dry the floor, you may contend with scratches and scuffing. Chipping is also possible in some extreme situations.
Chemicals and grease also can make the floor fade. It can ruin the bond between the epoxy and the concrete. Failing to clean it up before routine cleaning spreads it around and makes it flake and chip in more areas.
Avoid Common Cleaning Mistakes
When cleaning your floor, it’s also important that you avoid common cleaning mistakes. Don’t use abrasive cleaners such as:
- Acid that changes the coating’s pH level
- Abrasive cleaners
- Citrus-based cleaners
- Soap-based cleaning products
- Anything involving vinegar
- Steel cleaning tools
- Harsh, coarse rags and brushes
You also should avoid:
- Scrubbing too hard
- Spending too long on a single area (and rubbing the coating off)
- Uneven maintenance
- Leaving stains on the floor for too long
You don’t want to accidentally remove epoxy layers. You also don’t want stains to settle.
Reseal Regularly
Sealing epoxy floors is important for several reasons:
- Stops cracking and chipping
- Chemical and oil resistance
- Waterproofing
- Heat resistance
- UV-ray proofing to prevent fading
- Easier to remove scuffs from the sealant
It’s a cost-effective way to protect the floor as well. You won’t need to pay for heavy-duty maintenance frequently.
It’s important to reseal epoxy floors every two to five years.
Thin epoxy coatings or those in high-traffic areas may need more frequent resealing. Those with little wear and tear can go for longer periods without resealing.
Professionals can help make the resealing process easier. They’ll:
- Prepare the floor
- Mix the epoxy resin and hardener together
- Ensure optimal temperature conditions for effective coating
- Apply the coating with a brush or roller
- Let it dry for the appropriate time period
- Apply a top coat to increase chemical and heat resistance
You can get all of the benefits with none of the work when you hire reputable professionals at Trademark Garage Floors.
Unlock the Best Concrete Coatings in Tampa
Now that you know the ins and outs of maintaining elevated epoxy garage floors in Tampa, it’s time to begin renovating your home.
Trademark Garage Floors is committed to helping you choose the perfect garage floor coating.
We’ll help you select something durable and attractive for easy installation. Reach out to get a free estimate for your project today!
