Let’s dissect garage floor coating system failures and understand how a true garage floor epoxy system could prevent it.
Imagine this scenario:
A Maryland homeowner, enticed by a 1-day floor coating company’s promise—“Our coatings are 4 to 20 times stronger than epoxy!”—opts for the quick installation. Initially, the floor appears flawless. But as Maryland’s humid summer transitions to a damp fall, issues emerge: bubbling, peeling, and delamination.
What went wrong?
Stage 1: Misleading Strength Claims
The claim of being “stronger than epoxy” often compares their product to low-grade, water-based DIY epoxy kits, not to professional-grade, 100%-solids garage floor epoxy systems.
In reality, these 1-day systems typically use a polyurea or polyaspartic coating applied directly to the concrete. While these materials cure quickly, they lack the deep penetration and bonding strength of a properly applied epoxy base.
Stage 2: Absence of Moisture Mitigation
Maryland’s climate, characterized by high humidity and frequent rainfall, leads to moisture vapor rising through concrete slabs. Without a moisture-mitigating epoxy primer, this vapor can cause coatings to bubble and peel.
1-day installations often skip this crucial step, applying coatings directly to the concrete without addressing underlying moisture issues.
Stage 3: Thin, Rapid Application
To complete the job in a single day, these companies often:
- Apply a single, thin layer of coating
- Skip the second topcoat
- Neglect proper buffing of flakes
This rushed approach results in a coating that’s ill-equipped to handle Maryland’s environmental stresses.
Stage 4: Premature Failure
Without proper adhesion and moisture mitigation, the coating begins to fail:
- Bubbling due to trapped moisture
- Peeling from inadequate bonding
- Delamination under temperature fluctuations
The homeowner is left with a deteriorating floor and the realization that the “stronger than epoxy” claim was misleading.
The Solution: A True Garage Floor Epoxy System
At Garage Floor Coatings of Maryland, we prioritize quality over speed. Our 2-day installation process includes:
- A 100%-solids, moisture-mitigating epoxy primer that deeply penetrates the concrete, forming a strong bond and preventing moisture issues
- A full-flake broadcast for enhanced durability and aesthetics
- Two coats of 100%-solids polyaspartic topcoat for superior UV, chemical, and abrasion resistance
This comprehensive approach ensures a floor that withstands Maryland’s challenging climate and daily wear.
Don’t settle for shortcuts. Choose a garage floor epoxy system built to last. Contact us today for a free consultation and protect your garage floor investment.
