map-icon
Visit Our Showroom (By Appointment): Monday to Friday
9.30 AM - 3 PM. close
epoxy flooring contractors Melbourne

Trapped Moisture and Slabs: How Epoxy Flooring Contractors Protect Your Coating From Bubbling in Melbourne

epoxy flooring contractors Melbourne

Bubbled or Peeling Floor Coatings Can Be Due To Trapped Moisture Under Your Concrete Slab! As the top epoxy flooring company in Melbourne, we can attend to all your flooring requirements, including repair of already applied bubbled or peeling floor coatings. Upon inspection, we find that most of the causes for bubbled or peeling floor coatings can be attributed to trapped moisture under the concrete slab.

Why Does Moisture Cause Epoxy Floors to Bubble? 

Common factors that contribute to moisture-related bubbling include:

  • High groundwater levels beneath the slab
  • Inadequate moisture barriers during construction
  • Recently poured concrete. The coating will not cure properly if it is applied to recently poured concrete.
  • Seasonal humidity and temperature changes
  • Leaks from pipes or other structural issues within the building.

Regardless of the premium quality of your Epoxy Garage Floor Coating, it can fail when the substrate hasn’t been properly assessed beforehand.

Melbourne’s Climate Makes Moisture Management Essential 

We specialise in epoxy flooring solutions and have many years of experience in providing premium-quality epoxy coatings for commercial, industrial and residential properties. Our team of professional contractors understands that weather patterns can change overnight, so moisture testing and proper surface preparation are crucial to extend the life of any flooring system. Old buildings may present unique challenges with moisture rising from the ground or through damp walls and ceilings.

Many residential and commercial buildings around Melbourne have no moisture barriers in place. Many of these buildings are decades old and have previously had floor coatings that were no doubt fine at the time of application. However, it is not until the coatings are due for renewal that problems with moisture are discovered.

The Importance of Proper Surface Preparation 

At Urban Concrete Floors, we recognise that there is more to preparing a surface for flooring than giving it a quick clean. We take time to prepare your floor in the best possible manner. This may involve conducting tests on the concrete to evaluate the surface’s properties and to check the moisture levels of the slab. 

In addition, we will analyse the profiling of the surface to identify scratches, wear and other characteristics. Based on this information, we may perform processes such as diamond grinding, fill contaminants, repair cracks and also make good any other areas of damage to the slab.

  • Moisture testing
  • Surface profiling
  • Diamond grinding
  • Removal of contaminants
  • Repairing cracks and damaged areas

A floor that has been surface-prepared correctly is the best starting point for any coating to provide long-term performance. If the concrete has not been prepared correctly, then the best coating on the market will not adhere properly.

How Professionals Prevent Epoxy Floor Failures

  • Moisture Testing Comes First

We test for moisture prior to coating application. This will test for any moisture in the slab that could cause problems with coating adhesion and other coating-related issues such as coating bubbling in the future.

  • Surface Preparation Matters

Surface profiling followed by Diamond grinding of the surface to create surface keys for better bond between coating and concrete. All contaminants must be removed from the surface in order to achieve good adhesion between coating and concrete.

  • Moisture Mitigation Systems

Specialised moisture control products can be applied to the concrete slab prior to coating to help manage vapour transmission through the slab to extend the coating system’s life.

  • Garage Floors Need Extra Attention

As an example, epoxy garage floor coatings are subject to extreme temperatures. In addition to this, the floor will also be subject to moisture from the cars as well as outside moisture. Therefore, a special coating with extra moisture protection is recommended in order to ensure the very best long-lasting results.

  • Long-Term Protection for Melbourne Properties

Preventing problems with epoxy flooring with long-lasting results is all about taking the right precautions during installation. This is why it’s so important to hire a qualified epoxy flooring contractor. Using the latest moisture testing equipment and products available on the market, an experienced epoxy flooring installer will be able to ensure that your epoxy floor coating will last for years to come and look great as well.

Why Experience Matters?

Not all flooring installers treat moisture management the same. Many flooring installers simply focus on the finish of the floor, not realising that there is a lot of work required below the surface to ensure that a floor will last for many years. Experienced flooring installers know that in order to provide a long-lasting floor, preventative measures must be taken during the installation process to ensure that a floor will remain attractive and functional for years to come.

An experienced installer uses testing methods to ensure the best solution for any given floor, uses only the highest quality products, and applies the best methods of preparation for the epoxy coating to guarantee the best results and prevent problems like epoxy floor coating bubbling and peeling.

Signs That Moisture Could Be Affecting Your Floor 

There are many common signs that indicate there is a moisture problem affecting your floors currently. If you have a coated floor and you see any of the following, then it is highly recommended to have a moisture test done to identify any potential problems: small bubbles forming under the coating. Peeling of coating from floors. White salt or cloudy patches on the floor. Damp areas around floor edges. Coating separation from the concrete surface.

  • Small bubbles appearing under the coating
  • Peeling or lifting sections
  • White discolouration or cloudy patches
  • Damp areas around floor edges
  • Coating separation from the concrete surface

Bubbles: Small bubbles may appear under the surface of a coated floor. Parts of the floor may start to peel and come off the concrete surface. There may be white patches or a cloudy appearance on the surface of the floor. Dampness: Dampness may appear around the edges of the floor or from under elevated sections of the floor. Coating separation: The coating may have separated from the concrete surface.

Don’t Let Hidden Moisture Ruin Your Investment.

The perfect floor starts from below. We can provide you with the perfect start with the correct moisture testing and the corresponding epoxy coating. Long-lasting results in Melbourne.

[Book Your Free Floor Assessment Today]

 

Conclusion

Moisture in concrete is a huge problem for people looking to install floor coatings. Most people believe that as long as the floor is dry before applying a coating, then everything will be fine with their new flooring. Unfortunately for these people, this is not the case. The moisture in the concrete can very quickly destroy even the very best of flooring systems. 

So when you are looking for epoxy flooring contractors, Melbourne residents can rest assured that the flooring that their contractors supply will last for years to come. With a great epoxy garage floor coating, you will be admiring your floors for years to come.

FAQs

1. Can concrete hold moisture even when it looks dry?

Yes. Concrete can have a lot of moisture trapped inside the slab even when the surface of the concrete looks dry.

2. What causes bubbles to form in epoxy flooring?

Bubbles in your floor coating typically form due to moisture vapour that has risen from within the concrete of your slab and become trapped underneath your floor coating.

3. Is moisture testing necessary before epoxy installation?

Yes. Moisture testing prior to installation of the coating system can reveal potential problems before it is too late.

4. Can existing bubbling floors be repaired?

Yes. In most cases, the existing coating can be removed, the problem can be rectified, and then the new coating can be correctly installed.

5. Are moisture barriers suitable for residential garages?

Moisture barriers are used in various applications including residential garages. In conjunction with a well-installed epoxy floor coating, moisture barriers work to combat the problems caused by the moisture in the concrete slab.

Concrete Floor Finishes
Do you want to explore polished concrete/concrete overlays for your next project?
Get in Touch
Recent Post
  • Epoxy Floor Coating Melbourne
    How Melbourne Property Owners Find Reliable Epoxy Floor Installers?
  • 20240709_101815-copy-scaled
    Microcemento, a Statement of Seamless Sophistication
  • sparse-flake
    Understanding the Difference Between Sparse and Blind Broadcasting in Epoxy Flake Flooring
  • 20190711_110308-scaled
    Trend Watch: Concrete & Warm Neutrals in Interior Design