As DIY methods have become more popular, the option of hiring a professional or purchasing an epoxy kit has become increasingly common. Epoxy floors are for pouring in liquid form, making them appear less complicated to install than other types of flooring.
It’s appealing to consider installing epoxy flooring yourself, but it comes with several risks. Hiring a professional is strongly advised for a good epoxy floor that will endure for years.
Here’s why.
Quality
Epoxy from the hardware store appears to be a low-cost alternative, and the instructions seem to be straightforward. Also, the “professional grade” epoxy sold over the internet appears to be simple to apply and less costly than hiring a professional.
After a few months or perhaps a few years, the floors will begin to chip, flake, and show indications of wear. Inexpensive epoxy flooring is also less durable and may need more upkeep.
Installation
Another danger that comes with DIY epoxy flooring is incorrect installation. Amateur installation can lead to bubbles, drips, and other problems.
If you don’t have experience with epoxy flooring, it is best to leave the installation to the team at Floormaster. They will ensure that the floor is installed correctly and will last for years.
Health and Safety
One of the biggest dangers with DIY epoxy flooring is the health and safety risks. If you are not careful when working with epoxy, you could end up breathing in harmful fumes or getting it on your hands and body.
You could also get epoxy on your clothing, which will be impossible to remove. The fumes from epoxies can be hazardous when working with it in a closed area or without proper ventilation.
Floor Preparation
Professional flooring contractors have the necessary tools to ensure correct floor installation. They are experienced in measuring out the area for the epoxy, ensuring that there are no small cracks or holes where water can seep through. DIY epoxy flooring will not be perfectly smooth and may require more additional time to finish the job.
Colour Change
Poor mixing of the epoxy encourages the colour of the epoxy floor coating may distort. Causes include incorrect grease or oil usage, moisture in the area, and corrosion. Kits may have colour mismatches in batches, resulting in an odd colour.
It’s easy to ruin a batch of epoxy by leaving it under the UV light for too lengthy, causing it to change colour. The Floormaster team understands the right way to handle epoxy to avoid such problems.
Moisture build-up below the coating
Moisture might pool up beneath the epoxy coating if the concrete is wet or there’s a significant temperature difference between the floor and epoxy. After using acid for etching the floor, it’s vital to dry out the floors to prevent this problem entirely.
Typically, professionals wait at least 24 hours after epoxy application. The humidity and the heat cause tension that eventually separates the epoxy from the concrete. Regular moisture testing may help prevent similar issues by allowing early detection of problems.
Uneven Flake Distribution
Coloured flakes on epoxy coatings give the floor a distinct look and slip resistance. DIY kits, on the other hand, are rarely available with flakes. This implies that your floor will have clumps instead of a smooth layer of flakes.
To distribute the flakes, some people like to throw them on the wet floor, just as you would sow birdseed. You’re likely to end up with an uneven dispersion unless you’ve learned how to do this technique properly.
When you use the team at Floormaster for epoxy installation, you’ll get an appropriate distribution of flakes, as well as additional alternatives to make a selection. The team will also help you pick out the finest flakes for a slip-resistant floor.
Floor likely to peel
The epoxy may peel from the floor for a variety of reasons. The most common reason for epoxy peeling is poor epoxy preparation. The epoxy may peel if the temperature or humidity varies during its application.
Epoxy floors can also peel as a result of incorrect foundation preparation. It’s critical to eliminate any trash, grease, or oil from the floor before applying the epoxy.
Otherwise, it pulls away from the floor as the epoxy cures, creating circular holes. Furthermore, since epoxy does not like a smooth surface, the floor must be thoroughly prepared. Grinding is the ideal option, but it’s best left to the experts.
Questionable Durability
Epoxy floors are incredibly durable, one of their most appealing features for many consumers and businesses. Epoxy flooring is more flexible and resistant to wear, making it ideal for heavy equipment, high traffic, chemical spills, and other offensives. It can endure for decades after professional installation.
Because a DIY kit generally has a diluted solution that includes additional fillers than epoxy resin, it may be far less expensive than hiring an expert. Although these kits are often less costly, the floor might be more prone to harm by not including a grout coat of sealer. You may have a hard time cleaning or maintaining your epoxy floor.
Why stick to professional epoxy floor installation.
It is best to leave epoxy flooring installation to the team at Floormaster. They have the experience and knowledge to do the job correctly, ensuring that your floor will last for years. The health and safety risks involved in DIY epoxy flooring are not worth taking, especially when you can easily hire a professional contractor.
When looking to install epoxy flooring in your home, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of DIY or hire a professional. Epoxy kits are available at most hardware stores, and the installation process may seem simple enough.
Professional-grade epoxy is easy to find online and typically less expensive than hiring a professional. DIY epoxy flooring is dangerous and likely to result in an unpleasant and short-lived end product.
Professional installation by the team at Floormaster will yield a durable, high-quality finished product that will be the envy of your neighbours or impress customers.
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