Preparation Leads to Success
Are you considering an upgrade to your concrete floors? If so, you’re in the right place! At Nevada Custom Coatings in Reno, we offer a wide range of systems to choose from, including decorative stains and polished finishes, concrete overlays and professional epoxy systems, all of which add beauty and long-term durability and protection. Best of all, we can customize each floor to match your space, style, and needs.
That said, not every concrete floor is immediately ready for a new coating or finish. In some cases, first the concrete itself needs attention. Skipping the preparation step often leads to poor results, even when the best materials are used. Before applying any concrete coating, the surface beneath it must be sound.
Uneven Concrete Surfaces
Epoxy and other coatings rely on a level concrete surface to cure correctly. If a slab has low spots, high points, or uneven areas, the coating won’t spread evenly, which leads to disappointing results. A simple way to spot unevenness is by observing how liquids collect after a spill or rain. If liquids pool in certain areas or your concrete floor or foundation, you can be certain that any applied coatings will behave the same way during the curing process.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance to level the concrete surface. Then your desired coating will flow smoothly across the floor and cure at a consistent thickness with no visible flaws or curing problems. After all, that’s how the coatings are designed to perform to provide the best appearance and durability!
Cracks in the Concrete
Over time, concrete naturally responds to movement in the ground, temperature changes, moisture, and everyday wear, leading to cracks forming. Some cracks are minor, while others deepen and spread across the entire slab. With many years of experience, the installers at Nevada Custom Coatings understand that applying a coating without addressing these problem areas doesn’t make the problem disappear. The cracks are still there underneath the coated surface and, in time, eventually show through. To ensure a clean, long-lasting epoxy finish, cracks in the foundation must be properly repaired before any protective system is installed.
Soft or Weak Concrete
Concrete must be strong and stable to support any type of coating system. When concrete is found to be “soft,” it means it was mixed or cured improperly and eventually becomes soft or brittle. In cases like this, an epoxy coating does not fix the problem. The epoxy remains intact while the weak concrete underneath begins to break apart, eventually causing chipping, bubbling, or peeling. Nevada Custom Coatings never applies epoxy over compromised concrete. If the base concrete isn’t sound, we can’t guarantee the final result, and we won’t install a system we can’t guarantee.
Building the Right Foundation
Because the foundation is so important for the amazing results we provide, we offer free consultations for every project. During the evaluation, we assess the condition of your concrete and identify any issues that may affect the outcome. We tell you if your project needs to be delayed or your concrete repaired before moving forward, because we want the finished floor to meet our standards and your expectations. In many cases, we can correct the issue ourselves. If not, we point you in the right direction so it is handled properly. Once the foundation is ready, we then confidently transform your floor with the finish, sealant, or epoxy system of your choice. To learn more or schedule your free consultation, give Nevada Custom Coatings in Reno a call or fill out our online form. We’re ready when you are!
