Page 10 - Real Estate Now Sept-Oct 2022

Determine if your floor is suitable
The state of your concrete will determine whether or not epoxy will work as well as expected. First, verify whether or
not your floor has a sealer that was applied previously. You can do this by spraying some water on the floor, if beads
form then a concrete sealer was used. Unfortunately, epoxy will not work on this surface unless you get the sealer
removed first—which will likely require help from a professional.

If your floors were painted, you should remove the paint before the epoxy coat. Finally, if you recently had your
garage floors installed, you should wait between 28 and 60 days before you add the epoxy layer so the concrete can
properly cure.

What you’ll need

Now that you know what to look for, here are the tools you’ll need to get the job done. If you don’t have these items
on hand, it’s time for a trip to the hardware store.. You’ll need:
• epoxy floor kit;
• crack filler;
• paint rollers;
• soft bristle brushes;
• floor cleaner and degreaser;
• vacuum;
• Cloths or towels;
• rubber gloves;
• mask; and
• safety goggles.

Step 1: Prep the floor
You will need to clean them to get rid of dirt, dust, and debris. You may need to remove grease, too. If your garage
floor has cracks, use a filler. For small cracks, opt for liquid filler or concrete caulk. Wider cracks are best fixed with a
patching compound; simply mix the product with water and apply with a clean cloth or towel.
Step 2: Confirm the moisture level

Moisture and humidity are your worst enemies when it comes to applying epoxy. Water will break the chemical bond
before it has a chance to solidify, so the product will be unable to stick to damp surfaces. To check the moisture level
of the garage floor, tape a plastic bag on the floor and keep it in that spot for 24 hours. If the bag is dry once lifted,

10 | REAL ESTATE NOW | denise@BCislandhomes.ca