You’ve heard about polyurea and polyaspartic concrete floor coatings and are wondering if this type of coating is what you’re looking for.
Now, you’ve read all about the benefits of a polyurea and polyaspartic coating. They’re durable, impact-resistant, resistant to high temperatures, long-lasting...the list goes on and on.
However, like any product, polyurea coatings come with their issues. And when you’re considering investing in this coating, you want to know what potential problems you might run into before, during, or after the coating is applied.
Southwest Exteriors has been an exterior remodeling contractor in San Antonio since 1989, and we’ve been installing polyurea and polyaspartic concrete coatings over the past several years.
We choose to offer this type of floor coating because of its numerous benefits. After years of experience installing polyurea and polyaspartic coatings multiple times a week, we’ve become familiar with this product and everything that can go wrong.
We’ll admit that as much as we’d like to be perfect, we’re human. Mistakes happen, and we’ve had some problems happen with polyurea and polyaspartic coatings before.
This article will outline five potential problems with polyurea and polyaspartic concrete floor coatings and how to avoid them.
After reading, you will know all about the potential problems you may run into with this type of coating. You will also know the best way to avoid these issues and choose the right contractor for your project. Because this type of coating is more costly than other coatings as well, you want to make sure you do not waste your time and money on a faulty contractor.
It’s important to note that these potential problems will arise if the concrete coating is not mixed properly or installed correctly.
Problem #1. Polyurea and polyaspartic coatings may not bond with your concrete
The first potential problem with polyurea and polyaspartic concrete coatings is that if the moisture content is too high in the concrete, the coating will not bond properly to the concrete.
When a polyurea coating comes in contact with concrete, it bonds into the concrete while searching for moisture. Once the coating comes in contact with any moisture, it stops bonding to the concrete.
If there is too much moisture in the concrete, the coating will not bond down into the concrete as far as it should. It will sit on top of the concrete, like paint or epoxy, and therefore will not be as durable, last as long, or cure properly.
How can this problem be avoided?
Before any work is done to a concrete surface to prepare it for a coating, the moisture content must be tested. If the moisture content is too high, a moisture barrier is needed before applying the base coat.
This moisture barrier will then put the concrete in the ideal condition for the coating to bond and cure properly on the concrete.
Problem #2. Air bubbles may appear if the coating isn’t properly mixed
The second problem with a polyurea and polyaspartic concrete coating is that bubbles can form in the mixture when it is mixed at too high of a speed.
The base and top coat of a polyurea and polyaspartic coating are made by mixing two or more solutions at the specified ratio using a blending tool. Think of this tool similar to a hand mixer you may use when baking or making whipped cream.
If the coating is mixed at too high of a speed with the mixer, air bubbles can form. Then, the bubbles can still exist and transfer when the coating is applied to the concrete.
When the coating is cured or fully dried those bubbles will dry into the coating. Over time, they can pop and cause the coating to easily chip and peel off.
How can this problem be avoided?
To avoid possible bubbling in a concrete coating, the coating must be mixed at the proper speed. This means that the installer must have the correct knowledge and skill to know what speed to mix the coating at.
Problem #3. Polyurea and polyaspartic coatings can partially evaporate
Mixing the concrete coating properly is crucial to the total success of the project. If the ratio of the coating mixture is not correct, two major problems can occur with the coating.
The first problem is that when the coating cures, it can partially evaporate. Similar to paint, the coating must be applied to the proper mil. This is the thickness of the coating.
When the coating is not mixed in the right ratio, part of the coating can evaporate as it cures. This makes the coating thinner, less durable, and not lasting as long as it should.
How can this problem be avoided?
The easiest way to avoid this potential problem is to mix the coating at the right ratio. Concrete coating supplies come with instructions to follow for the coating to successfully be mixed and cured properly.
It is crucial to find a contractor that has a track record of excellent concrete coating work that you can trust to handle your project correctly.
Problem #4. Improper mixing ratios may leave you with a coating that won’t cure at all
The second problem that can occur if the coating mixture is not mixed at the right ratio is that the coating can potentially not cure.
If the coating is mixed at the wrong ratio, it’s possible that the coating will not cure at all. Polyurea and polyaspartic coatings have a total cure time of 24 hours. Typically, you can walk on it in as little as six hours and park your car or place heavy objects on it after 24 hours when it is fully cured.
A good way to test that the coating is cured completely is the thumb test. If you press your thumb or finger on the coating and it shifts with your weight or still feels gummy, then it is not fully cured.
If the coating mixture is not mixed at the proper ratio, this gumminess will never go away, and your coating will never cure fully. This will cause you to hire another contractor to redo the coating, costing you more money and time.
How can this problem be avoided?
Like Problem #3, this problem can be avoided by ensuring the coating is mixed at the right ratio. Whether you are doing a DIY concrete coating or hiring a professional, making sure you are educated in the installation processes is key to a successful outcome of your coating project.
Problem #5. Polyurea and polyaspartic coatings can fade over time
Polyurea and polyaspartic coatings are known to be UV resistant and not fade when exposed to excess sunlight. But did you know that the coating must be specially made to be UV resistant?
There are UV-resistant and non-UV-resistant polyurea coatings on the market. A potential problem you can run into with this type of coating is the color fading and the coating becoming worn if it is a non-UV resistant coating used in areas with high amounts of UV rays.
This means that if you want your sidewalk, driveway, or outdoor patio coated with a polyurea and polyaspartic concrete coating, you must make sure that it is specified to be UV resistant.
Otherwise, your coating will fade and deteriorate quickly and won’t last as a UV-resistant coating should. On the flip side, if you are looking to coat an area that sees little to no sunlight, then specifying whether it is UV resistant or not won’t have to be a high priority.
How can this problem be avoided?
If you want your outdoor area coated with a polyurea and polyaspartic coating, ensure that you are using a UV-resistant coating. This is important to specify in the product, whether you are buying it off the shelf at a hardware store or having a professional do it for you.
If the contractor doesn’t specify, ask.
How can I avoid any of these potential problems with polyurea and polyaspartic floor coatings?
These five potential problems with polyurea and polyaspartic coatings can occur when there is a lack of knowledge about the coating and best installation practices.
The best way to avoid running into any of these problems is to find a high-quality contractor that knows what they are doing. A contractor that has documented history of successful polyurea and polyaspartic coatings, can answer all of your questions, and explain the coating process thoroughly is a contractor that will meet your needs for your project.
Because this type of coating is more costly than other coatings, you want to make sure you do not waste your time and money on a faulty contractor.
Is a polyurea and polyaspartic concrete coating right for me?
Now that you know five of the most common potential problems you can encounter with a polyurea and polyaspartic coating and how to avoid them, you are one step closer to knowing if this type of coating is the right solution for you.
Polyurea and polyaspartic coatings are highly durable and long-lasting. If you are looking for a concrete coating that you won’t have to worry about maintaining and will last as long as you live in your home, then this type of coating may be what you’re looking for.
If you are just looking for a quick and easy fix to make your concrete look a little better and aren’t concerned about the longevity of the coating, then you may want to look for a different option, like epoxy.
Polyurea and epoxy are two of the most common concrete coating types. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, but how do they stack up against each other?
If you’re still not sold on a polyurea coating, epoxy can also be a high-quality and durable option for your coating project. This article will put epoxy and polyurea coatings head to head in durability, cost, prep time, and more. Then, you can learn more about each coating and decide which is a better fit for you.
Ready to start on your polyurea and polyaspartic concrete coating project?
Southwest Exteriors exclusively offers this type of coating from Penntek Industrial Coatings because of its many benefits. However, we aren’t shy to hide the potential negatives to these coatings either.
Because we have years of experience with this product and know what problems you can run into with a faulty installation, we pay heavy attention to the detail in our craftsmanship. If anything does go wrong with your coating, we’ll be there to fix it for as long as you own your home.
If you are looking for a long-term solution for your concrete coating, then we may be a good fit for you. If you’re looking for just a quick and easy fix, then we might not be what you’re looking for.
Think a polyurea and polyaspartic coating is right for you? Ready to start your project? Schedule your free, in-home consultation with a design consultant by filling out this form. A representative will call you within five minutes to help schedule your appointment.
We can’t wait to work with you!
