Have you ever paid for an entire garage floor coating, only to watch it peel and crack less than a year after the installation? In case you were wondering: That does NOT have to be the case.
In New York, the combination of humid summers and frigid winters poses unique challenges for garage floors. Moisture lurking beneath concrete surfaces can lead to peeling and delamination of coatings. Many DIY applicators and one-day polyurea contractors fail to assess moisture content before application, which is an expensive mistake to make—it’s just expensive for the homeowner, not the contractor, so you don’t hear a whole lot of them talking about it.
Moisture trapped under the slab can create hydrostatic pressure, pushing the coating off the concrete. This issue often surfaces within six to twelve months, which really isn’t long when you think about how often you probably want to install garage floors. Professional applicators in New York conduct thorough moisture evaluations. checking for visible signs of moisture such as efflorescence and dark spots. They use calibrated moisture vapor transmission meters to get accurate readings. That’s the first step in determining which coating should be applied direct-to-concrete.
When medium to high moisture levels are detected, a moisture-mitigating epoxy primer must be applied as the primer coat…never a polyurea. A fast-curing polyurea cures even faster in medium to high moisture conditions – there is simply insufficient time for the polyurea to penetrate and properly bond with the concrete slab. Conversely, the slower-curing, moisture-mitigating epoxy primer has time to penetrate deeply and bond properly with the concrete. This primer lays the groundwork for the subsequent flake broadcast and polyaspartic clear topcoats. This meticulous process ensures that the coating system can withstand New York’s diverse climate.
In addition to the technical considerations, New York’s rich architectural history and stringent building codes play a crucial role. Choosing the right garage floor coating not only enhances durability but also preserves the character of historic homes. Adhering to local regulations ensures that your garage floor meets safety standards and complements the aesthetic of your property.