Epoxy Floor Failure/ Moisture Remediation/How To Fix/Moisture Barriers/

[@JB-mh6xz]

Bro great insights most people just look for install videos this gave depth to proper preparation prior to laying epoxy

[@surfaceit805]

Thank you.

[@kotpepe]

I'm just starting an epoxy coating business and this video is a masterpiece! Keep the good work.!

[@surfaceit805]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@bw4562]

Appreciate your honesty. Nice repair! Nice work

[@surfaceit805]

I appreciate that!

[@tressagoritz2210]

Great video. Really appreciate your honesty. I had my floor done last month. It was done during 4 days of rain. Water got in just at the front. Would love your opinion on best way to fix. Option 1 screen the entire floor and apply top coat. Option 2 tape only first foot where water damage and fix just the first 2 feet THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@surfaceit805]

If epoxy gets wet after being installed to soon it may have effects on sheen and dry times if it dries at all. I’m not sure exactly what the damage is but I would suggest removing the epoxy from the front strip of the garage and do a solid color coat as a border under the garage door. In many cases we do this to match the exterior color of the house when the door is closed.

[@sandywjo5]

These floors can look beautiful, but it tells me it would be a nightmare if you ever had even a small basement flood, especially if the water came from underneath the floor.

[@itzaes12]

I would do shotblaster to orep instead of diamond grinder

[@nathanduty7857]

I would love an update on your solution from a year ago, verifying longevity and proper diagnosis/solution. Thanks for the video. Like the music

[@surfaceit805]

We do projects regularly with this contractor. No reports on any issues this far.

[@starfloors4032]

Before install epoxy coatings we always measure moisture level of the concrete. This is the best way to avoid such problems.

[@grantpointer4645]

A moisture test only gives information on current conditions, moisture conditions can change over time. There is no way for the contractor to know what will happen to the concrete slab in the future.

[@donaldsandersonjr]

Why is there a heavier chipped floor underneath this floor at :56 ??

[@calebeeduardo9859]

So if you were to apply the Slabloc 100 to begin with would that have still happened? Or did you already use the slabloc100 to begin with however it just wasn’t effective? I ask because I’m new to Epoxy and I got a project coming up where a client has a small water problem in his basement so I’m trying to find the best solution in terms of what products to use

[@surfaceit805]

This one did not have slab loc 100 with the original install. For your project I would definitely do a moisture test. This will give you the data you need to choose the correct moisture barrie.

[@calebeeduardo9859]

@@surfaceit805 awesome. Would you recommend the slabloc 100 in my case though?

[@prefersoxygen9373]

The moisture barriers will not work in control joints and joints around the exterior where there is a water problem. The moisture testing is important but if one area is too high, failure of epoxy is imminent and then it will spread as moisture always does. Water problems in basements are tricky to mitigate. Be careful

[@surfaceit805]

@@calebeeduardo9859 Slab loc 100 has a bout 22 lbs per square in of resistance. Which is a lot. But I do agree with @prefers oxygen in the comment below. Basements can be tricky to figure out. In some cases the exterior walls can be the issue, or poor drainage around the exterior walls of the basement. A failed or damaged exterior waterproofing membrane could be the cause, allowing water to flow where it is not intended. It would be wise to do some investigation around the exterior along with a moisture test.

[@johnmacarthur6022]

If that happened tome one time I would make sure to use my moisture meter EVERY time!

[@barbaramcintyre9315]

So did you have to repair the floor on your dime, or did the contractor pay? Especially with the exterior slab slanted towards the house it seems like the contractor should pay you.

[@eddiem5040]

Great video, what did you use to clean up the control joints like that? So perfect 🤔

[@dipanpatelmd]

Touche. How did you grind the joints before placing new coatings??

[@ddmercantile]

What did you use to strip off the old epoxy? Any chemical or just mechanical and what is your machine/pad?

[@donaldsandersonjr]

If all your floors get a preventative moisture barrier before installing the system (as stated at 1 minute and 49 seconds) then why did the floor bubble?

[@surfaceit805]

Nice question… So the MVB I originally put down is more like waterbased MVB primer. If definitely gives the coating a boost in moisture resistance but it’s not a full system on its own. Different MVBs have different ratings. The amount of water running under the slab was too great for the primer to hold back. Honestly with our without the primer any flooring would have issues. The take away from this video is to find the source and fix the problem. A floor under water will fail no matter what you put down.

[@Andrew-nq7oy]

Hi. How did you apply next coat? did you sand mvb and applied epoxy w flakes or just waited till sticky?

[@surfaceit805]

MVB then epoxy with flake next day.

[@e.k.7387]

Who cover costs of repair? Is water came up later after instalation? Great video! Most of contractors take videos whe everything is fine.

[@TheBayAreaSideshow]

The company is responsible duuuuuh🤣🤣🤣

[@Helmuesi911]

@@TheBayAreaSideshow Which company? The general contractor, the sprinkler company or the epoxy floor contractor?

[@mannyamaya8838]

Did you had to do a lot of prep work since it was a new concrete? Degreaser or grinding? Both? Thank you!

[@surfaceit805]

We grind every floor, new and old concrete. A degreaser or etcher does not profile the concrete enough for a coating.

[@mannyamaya8838]

@@surfaceit805 Thank you !!

[@jackszumski7118]

@@surfaceit805great information. What diamonds/grit do you use to prep the floor?

[@user-vx7tj7kv9c]

What should be done if an epoxy based moisture mitigation barrier is applied and there are a million bubbles in the moisture barrier coating? Will this still perform like it should?

[@surfaceit805]

Yes it should, sand the bubbles are pour over it. It mostly likely out gassing from a really pours slab.

[@DomnSan]

If osmotic blisters are to form, how long does it take? Say if you haven't witnessed any in 6months, a year etc, are they less likely?

[@surfaceit805]

I would say yes, less likely.

[@groovy1937]

I need your expertise in diagnosis: I just had an professional company put an epoxy floor in my garage. Two weeks later I am noticing some of the flakes bulging up a bit and I can press then down with my finger nail. I am noticing more today. I emailed the installer and he said that is air bubbles and is normal. Their epoxy coating was supposed to be a 9 pound moisture barrier product and they said that would be fine. They did a polysaspartic topcoat. Are my flake popping up due to moisture???? Why would this be happening two weeks later. I stayed off the floor for 7 days - I thought that would cure. The polyaspartic coating took 48 hours to cure. Any thoughts????

[@surfaceit805]

Hey there, I would say that’s definitely a moisture problem, soft air bubbles do not happen, air bubbles are referred to as outgassing or outgass bubbles, these generally will pop and be hard and also happen almost immediately. Do you know what your moisture reading test was? This will allow you to know what moisture barrier to use. Also was this a one day system install? This is a common problem with fast cure Polyaspartics. If it were my floor I would grind it off, install epoxy moisture barrier compatible with your moisture content, 100% solids epoxy coat with your flake broadcast, and then Polyaspartic topcoat. Polyaspartic weren’t designed to go direct to concrete but a lot of people do it. Call me if you have more questions.

[@groovy1937]

@@surfaceit805 It isn't a one day system. It was Garage Experts. They didn't do a moisture reading. I told them upfront that my garage floor was damp at times. They ground it down and used their proprietary epoxy and then flaked it. After 72 hours they came back and scrape and topcoated with polyaspartic. I stayed off the floor for 7 days from they day they did the epoxy. They said their epoxy held 9lbs or moisture. Now I am noticing small areas, like where a flake is, that it is no longer flat and has a slight bubble and I can press it down with my finger nail. I had them put in new cabinets too, so if the floor has to be re done, everything has to be taken out again. Do you think this floor is going to fail? Start peeling? They gave a lifetime warranty against delamination or peeling. The owner was a bit dismissive saying the floor was solid and bubbles are normal. I am seeing more today in another part of the floor. I think I may have a big mess on my hands. Its only been two weeks, I can't believe this!

[@surfaceit805]

Ok, if they gave a lifetime warranty I would definitely have them come out to inspect the floor. Most epoxy’s can hold up to about 6-8 lbs of MVT (field test data) manufacturers will claim 4lbs.. otherwise it needs a MVB. I believe your moisture content is higher than that so it’s causing the epoxy to bubble. Especially if you noticed the floor damp at times for no reason prior to the instal that’s a big indicator to moisture test and get the correct product on the floor, some MVB hold 10lbs, other can hold 22lbs so it’s important to have a reading. As far as the cabinets yes it would be preferred to have a MVB on the entire floor but sometimes it’s not possible. In the event the cabinets do not come out just make sure the toe kicks are removed (if any ) and they can work around them. We have had to do that many times. If you have bubbles and park your car on the surface most likely those areas will peel up from hot tires as they are no longer bonded to the concrete. I hope this helps but they should definitely come take care of that floor for you.

[@surfaceit805]

If you in my area and they won’t fix the floor give me a call and we can re do it for you.

[@groovy1937]

@@surfaceit805 Thanks for your replies!!! I live in Pittsburgh, PA, otherwise I would definitely use you. I can't believe these blisters are showing up after only two weeks! I am sick to my stomach! All this work I had to do to get my garage ready for them and then over one week with no garage, etc. If this is happening after two weeks, I am sure it will only get worse. I hope they hold up their warranty. Garage Experts are a franchise out of Texas - well so much for their proprietary epoxy with moisture barrier. I choose them cause they really sold that the knew what they were doing and they say they have a superior epoxy that soaks deep into the concrete making a good bond. I can't figure out why they wouldn't use a better moister barrier especially after I told them my floor is sometimes wet. What a disaster! I have a feeling they aren't going to want to fix this just from the response I got from the owner. Oh well, again thanks!!!!!

[@conkreteink3505]

800 square feet per gallon on the mvb?

[@surfaceit805]

This one is 125sqft per gallon for the MVB. Always check your manufacturer specs as some coverage rates may be different.

[@menswearhous]

How do you go about finding a good epoxy floor installer?

[@surfaceit805]

Definitely do some research for your area, I know several installers around the US. Feel free to email me and I may know someone in your area.

[@angrymama8976]

Is epoxy coding heavy I’m asking because my house was built in the 50s so it’s pretty old and I don’t want my floor to cave in. Can anyone help me?

[@johnmacarthur6022]

That is on the contractor

[@spongebobkevin]

Am new to this but say you do moisture test and it’s above a certain level , do you just tell the customer they can’t put epoxy on the concrete

[@ColbyBrazda]

You put down a moisture barrier

[@memosllcflooringandshowers761]

Good video in the case you found there source but how do you cover the expense?

[@ilovethenfl510]

Unfortunately sometimes you have to eat the cost that’s why we always moisture barrier now we dealt with this for a long time

[@RJ-vq1iv]

What do you use for a moisture barrier if you don’t mind me asking ?

[@ilovethenfl510]

@@RJ-vq1iv Vapor Solve, go thick and broadcast sand

[@surfaceit805]

Fortunately on this project we all split the cost and discounted the labor rate.

[@donaldsandersonjr]

why didn't we see any water oozing out when you popped the bubble at :54 seconds?

[@DomnSan]

Odd question but are the osmotic blisters that you encounter with epoxy coats generally soft or hard? Do they pop or ooze when stepped on?

[@acanadianwoodworker]

I have water blisters all over my epoxy floors - when you pop them water sprays out! Its crazy

[@DomnSan]

@@acanadianwoodworker are they hard to pop? Or relatively squishy/soft?

[@acanadianwoodworker]

@@DomnSan They'll crack fairly easily when I walk on them. A few were harder, but a light tap from a hammer broke them open. The epoxy is still quite hard even separated from its substrate, but way more prone to breaking.

[@DomnSan]

@@acanadianwoodworker gotcha. Thanks

[@surfaceit805]

Definitely delamination due to moisture.

[@PeteJab]

This is happening on the fault lines in my basement. Now I’m scared. What should I do?

[@surfaceit805]

Basements can be tricky. In some cases it’s the exterior waterproofing around the stem wall or block wall that is the initial cause. Otherwise a proper moisture test can be done to determine the amount of moisture vapor transmission and will give you the data you need to properly select a coating.

[@romeopangan8757]

Pano mag repair ng dati sira efoxy pain

[@fillup40]

Why no moisture barrier in the first place?

[@surfaceit805]

This did have a moisture primer when it was originally installed, not all floors require a MVB. This was new concrete and new construction in this area, it wasn’t until the landscaping was complete that the floor started having issues.

[@nicholasferrara6355]

Contractors.....

[@paulwoodling5300]

I dont think Ive ever seen an expansion joint going under an exterior wall

[@Jaylowrider]

It’s a control joint- not expansion joint - control joints tell the slab where to crack, to basically prevent cracks

[@paulwoodling5300]

Still have never seen this in FL. It really makes no sense. You are just giving water a channel to go under the wall.

[@Helmuesi911]

Who had to pay for this?

[@mikedelaney3473]

Sounds to me like the contractor who poured the slab is responsible for the water....if it is new it shouldn't be your responsibility to to repair his problems!

[@scottpratson7766]

Who paid???