How Epoxy Coatings Prevent Cracks in Concrete Floors
One of the foremost concerns when working with concrete floors in the commercial industry is to ensure that they are effective, economical and safe in terms of maintenance. Most often, floors get damaged due to the overload of equipment usage, walking, or due to the environmental factors present.
As a result of these stresses, cracks form in the concrete which can be both dangerous and very costly to repair. However, epoxy coatings can not only prevent cracking from occurring, thus dramatically increasing the life of the floor. In this blog, we’ll look at how epoxy coatings are applied, their advantages and possible applications and how to achieve the best results.
The Common Causes of Cracks in Concrete Floors
Concrete surfaces in industrial buildings are exposed to tremendous stresses on a day-to-day basis.
Some of the usual reasons for cracks are listed below.
- Heavy Machinery: The weight and the dynamic activities from forklifts, trucks, and other pieces of equipment are stresses that can cause cracking.
- Constant Traffic: The surface is subjected to repeated foot and vehicular traffic which deteriorates its quality in the long run.
- Environmental Stress: Specific chemicals, moisture, and temperature changes may be present in the environment and, over time, disintegrate concrete and development of cracks.
Not paying attention to these cracks results in endangering the safety of the building and other expensive maintenance and operational shutdowns.
The Costs of Neglecting Concrete Maintenance
Untreated cracks can become worse almost instantly. First, small cracks can develop and increase the danger of trips and falls, as well as equipment damage due to the instability of the floors. This leads, gradually, to:
- Higher Costs: Higher maintenance costs and paying for repairs due to cracks recurring often, using up resources and leading to downtime.
- Safety Risks: Cracks across the floor pose a risk towards the workers, which leads to accidents and possible liabilities.
- Operational Disruption:In the event of substantial maintenance work, specific areas of the facility need to be shut down, which stops activities and productivity suffers.
How Epoxy Coatings Prevent Cracks
Epoxy finishes are a versatile option that wins in many choosing battles as they not only decorate the floors but also protect them. Once applied, the epoxy layers on top of the concrete’s surface fills in the cracks while also ensuring no new cracks develop. Let us understand how epoxy coatings work:
- Surface Reinforcement: Epoxy coatings create strong bondswith concrete, enabling the heavy load and continuous traffic to transfer onto the durable epoxy finished layer without cracking it.
- Protection Against Moisture and Chemicals: Industrial constructions utilize both moisture and chemicals which are responsible for the deterioration of concrete. Their anti-corrosive properties allow it to retain its structural form even under extreme conditions.
- Maintenance Free: The added advantage of epoxy coatings is their long life span and ability to offer protection which minimizes work in repairs.
KwikBond’s Epoxy Coatings
- KwikBond’s epoxy coatings have outstanding strengthand significantly improved durability and crack resistance.
- These characteristics guarantee that repairs would be infrequent and therefore lead to reduced operational downtime.
- The employment of epoxy coatings allows for considerable cost reduction, improved safety through slip resistance of floors, and increased service life of concrete floors.
When and How to Use Epoxy for Concrete Crack Repair
One excellent solution for moisture intrusion is epoxy coating. KwikBond has extensive experience with cost-effective epoxy coatings.
- Do Consider Epoxy Coatings When: Deep surface imperfections, often located in horizontal surfaces where structural movement is expected and is exposed to flood or high levels of moisture.
- Don’t Consider Epoxy: Large and open, aggressively rubbed areas, or when cracks are isolated and only a fraction of coverage may not require coating systems.
Epoxy Coatings for High-Traffic Areas
Epoxy coatings stand out in industrial environments characterized by heavy floor loads and high friction wear and tear. Such coatings create a robust, protective layer over the surface that can resist impacts and evenly disperse loads which reduces the risk of cracks forming.
This is why epoxy would be the best-suited option for:
- Warehouses
- Manufacturing plants
- Loading docks
Protect Your Concrete Floors
When you notice your facility’s floors wearing out, that is the time to get into action. Review the current maintenance program and include KwikBond epoxy for crack repair in your arsenal. Epoxy products offered by us can be utilized effectively in industrial applications which caters for tough repair jobs. To find out more about how KwikBond can be of assistance in protecting your concrete floors, please explore our website or reach us today.
Enhance Floor Strength with Epoxy Coatings
In order to create safe, efficient and cost-effective industrial premises, it is important to prevent the occurrence of cracks in the concrete floors. Applying Epoxy coatings is an effective, long term solution that will enhance the strength of your floors and minimize damage in the future as well as cut down costs on repair.
By including KwikBond’s epoxy coatings into your regular maintenance, the integrity and safety of the facility’s floors will be sustained for a longer time. Never allow cracks to turn into a big issue–do not hesitate apply KwikBond to your floors.
Get a Free Consultation and Quote from KwikBond
Schedule a free consultation with KwikBond to ensure the safety and aesthetic appeal of your facility for the years to come. Contact us at (631) 298-6300 for more details or get in touch with us here.
Capital Industries, Inc. is a leading supplier of commercial and industrial concrete repair products. For over 30 years, we have proudly serviced contractors, factories, warehouses and distribution centers for industrial, institutional and commercial customers. We carry a full range of concrete repair materials, including those specifically designed for low temperature areas such as freezers and coolers. Our floor repair products are rapid hardening, allowing you to reopen repaired areas with minimal downtime. All of our products are designed to be used by in-house maintenance personnel and come with an ironclad 100% guarantee of satisfaction.