Whether you own a home or business in an area that is prone to flooding, you may find yourself struggling to find a flooring material that doesn’t warp and damage at the first sign of moisture exposure. However, this may not be as easy as it seems. There aren’t many flooring materials that are strong enough to stand up to potential flood damage.
That’s where floor coatings come in. Unlike many other flooring materials on the market, coatings don’t just help you boost the aesthetics and safety of a space, but also help you avoid flood damage. If you own a property in a flood zone and want to learn more about how floor coatings help you avoid flood damage, keep reading.
How Flood Damage Can Hurt Unfinished Concrete Floors
While we often think of concrete as an incredibly durable, reliable material, even minor flooding can do major damage. When left unfinished, concrete is an incredibly porous material that absorbs any liquid that comes its way. Although you might not realize it, this absorption can do a great deal of structural damage.
Unfinished concrete that is exposed to excessive moisture, like in the event of a flood, may exhibit a few different signs of damage, including:
- Concrete Weakening: As water moves deep into the pores of your concrete, it begins to weaken the internal structure. This weakening of the concrete can make your floors more prone to cracking, chipping, and crumbling, especially in high-traffic areas.
- Slab Movement: While moisture absorption is a concern, you may also need to worry about it moving through the concrete and into the underlying soil. As moisture moves into the underlying soil, you may notice the concrete slab shifting.
- Mold Growth: When there are no barriers between your concrete and moisture, there is a risk that mold spores will begin spreading, resulting in incredibly harmful mold growth across your concrete floors and the potential for adverse health effects.
- Efflorescence: As moisture in the concrete evaporates, salts move upward, leaving you with a white, powdery residue, also known as efflorescence, left on your floors. Over time, this can lead to cracks, structural damage, and mold growth.
How Floor Coatings Can Help
When you live in a flood zone, you may be all too familiar with flood damage and the impact it can have on your concrete floors. If you are tired of dealing with frequent flood damage to your floors, investing in a floor coating is the best solution for your space. Coatings act as the perfect barrier between your concrete floors and any moisture that comes their way.
Any cracks, pores, and openings across your concrete floor are sealed, ensuring you can avoid excessive moisture presence and the risk for mold growth. In many cases, these coatings can even be dragged up the wall a few inches, helping you protect the underlying drywall, stone, bricks, and other building materials.
It is important, however, to remember to schedule floor coating installation with a team of trained professionals. While a DIY floor coating may be cheaper upfront, the lower quality product and less-than-perfect installation may result in repeat flood damage to your floors. If you’re considering the investment, spend extra and invest in professional support.
Which Floor Coating is Best for Protecting Against Flood Damage
While it is incredibly important that you invest in a floor coating to protect your property from flood damage, you also want to ensure you’re choosing the right flooring material. Not all floor coatings are created equal, and you want to choose the best for your property. Some of the most common floor coatings for residential and commercial properties include:
- Epoxy: If you are looking for a sleek, modern flooring solution to help you protect against flood damage, epoxy is the way to go. Not only do these coatings create the perfect barrier against moisture, but they are also chemical resistant and easy to clean, ensuring your space always looks its best.
- Polyaspartic: While epoxy is incredibly popular, Polyaspartic is an even more advanced coating option. Much like epoxy, it protects against moisture and chemical intrusion. However, these floor coatings also have a faster 24-hour curing time and are UV resistant, ensuring they don’t yellow over time.
For property owners who are unsure which coating is best, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted floor coating professional for support. With their experience, you can trust that you’re making the best investment possible for your space.
Tips for Preparing for Your Coating Installation
Before installing a new floor coating on your property, there are a few things you’ll want to do to ensure the installation is successful. First, you’ll want to address any previous flood damage that may impact the structural integrity of your floor coating. From there, there is some other preparation you’ll need to do, including:
- Fill and patch any cracks or holes in the concrete.
- Remove any existing coatings, sealers, or paints.
- Address efflorescence by scrubbing with a specialized cleaner and rinsing thoroughly.
- Grind or sand down high spots to create an even surface.
- Clean the floor thoroughly to remove all dirt, grease, oil, and contaminants.
- Ensure the concrete is completely dry before installation.
- Clear the work area completely of furniture, equipment, and other items.
Even minor preparation can make a significant difference in the long-term performance of your floor coating. While it can be time consuming, it is well worth the time and effort.
Let Surface Bella Transform Your Concrete Floors
When you’re ready to transform your home or commercial property, trust that our team at Surface Bella Garage Floors is here to help. Whether you’ve dealt with previous flood damage or simply want your concrete floors to look and perform their best, we’re here to help you find the perfect coating solution for your space. With our team on your side, you can rest assured that you’ll have the perfect coating in your space.
If you would like to learn more about how our floor coatings can help you protect your property against future flood damage, don’t hesitate to contact us.