Floor preparation : UK based resin flooring contractors
Floor preparation for epoxy resin flooring and resin floor coatings
Floor preparation is the most important stage of any resin flooring installation. Whether you are installing commercial resin flooring, industrial epoxy resin flooring or a residential resin garage floor the quality of the finished floor is only as good as the substrate beneath it.
Substrate preparation
We specialise in the preparation of concrete floors prior to the installation of epoxy flooring. The first step in the installation process is substrate preparation. Prior to primer being applied, substrates must be clean, crack-free, sound, dry and free of any substances that may impair adhesion (such as bitumen, grease, dust, paint, previous levelling compound or floor adhesive residue ).
Why floor preparation is essential for epoxy resin floors
Many flooring failures occur because the surface has not been prepared correctly. Dust, grease, paint, old adhesives, bitumen residues and previous floor coverings can all prevent an epoxy resin floor coating from bonding properly with the concrete substrate.
Before applying any epoxy floor resin or resin floor topping, the concrete surface must be thoroughly cleaned and mechanically prepared. This creates a strong mechanical key which allows primers and resin floor coatings to bond permanently to the substrate.
“Only proper preparation ensures that floor epoxy resin products achieve maximum adhesion, durability and longevity”
Preparing concrete substrates for industrial epoxy flooring
Every concrete floor is different. Some surfaces may be contaminated with oil, grease or chemicals, while others may have remnants of old floor coverings, levelling compounds or paint systems.
Our floor preparation process typically includes:
- Removal of dust and loose debris
- Removal of grease and oil contamination
- Removal of paint, coatings and epoxy resin floor paints
- Removal of bitumen residues and adhesive contamination
- Removal of old floor coverings and levelling compounds
- Mechanical grinding of the concrete surface
- Shot blasting where appropriate
- Vacuum extraction of dust and contaminants
- Creation of a mechanical key for new floor resin systems
These preparation techniques are essential for all forms of epoxy resin flooring, resin epoxy flooring and industrial epoxy flooring installations.
Floor repairs before applying epoxy floor coatings
Preparation involves much more than simply cleaning the floor. Before installing an epoxy resin floor, we inspect the substrate for defects and ensure it is suitable for the final flooring system.
We repair worn expansion joints, carry out crack and patch repairs using epoxy mortars and epoxy jointing compound. We can remove fixings, that have been embedded in the surface for racking / shelving and make good the surface.
Typical repairs include:
- Removing redundant bolts and fixings from previous racking systems
- Filling holes and surface voids
- Repairing cracks and damaged concrete
- Stabilising loose or weak areas
- Removing trip hazards
- Correcting uneven surfaces
- Preparing joints and transitions
Concrete floor repair work is covered elsewhere on our website, but these works form an essential part of preparing a concrete substrate for epoxy resin floors and resin floor systems.
Concrete floor grinding for commercial resin flooring
Concrete grinding is one of the most effective methods of preparing a substrate for commercial resin flooring and industrial epoxy resin flooring applications.
Using professional diamond grinding equipment, we remove surface contaminants and weak laitance while opening the pores of the concrete. This creates an ideal surface for epoxy resin floor covering systems and resin floor coatings.
Unlike simple cleaning methods, mechanical grinding physically prepares the substrate and significantly improves adhesion between the concrete and the new epoxy resin for floors.
Concrete floor grinding for commercial resin flooring
Concrete grinding is one of the most effective methods of preparing a substrate for commercial resin flooring and industrial epoxy resin flooring applications.
Using professional diamond grinding equipment, we remove surface contaminants and weak laitance while opening the pores of the concrete. This creates an ideal surface for epoxy resin floor covering systems and resin floor coatings.
Unlike simple cleaning methods, mechanical grinding physically prepares the substrate and significantly improves adhesion between the concrete and the new epoxy resin for floors.
Our full surface preparation services include
Diamond Grinding
Dust free vacuum assisted diamond concrete grinding, vacuum assisted shot grinding, scabbling and scarifying.
Laitance removal
Laitance is the weak top layer of cement and aggregate fines on a concrete surface that stands between a topical coating and the underlying substrate. This laitance layer prevents a bond forming between the topical coating and substrate and needs to be removed.
Bitumen removal
All surfaces to receive our coating systems should be sound and of good strength, well prepared and free of any…
- Contamination
- Dust,
- Chemicals
- Other coatings
We use Diamond grinding and shot blasting to achieve this
Floor preparation for epoxy resin garage floors
Many domestic garage floors suffer from contamination caused by vehicle oils, tyre residue and previous paint coatings. Before installing garage resin flooring or an epoxy resin garage floor, these contaminants must be removed completely.
Proper preparation ensures the new garage resin floor achieves maximum adhesion and delivers a long-lasting finish that can withstand vehicle traffic, impact and regular use.
How floor preparation affects epoxy resin flooring costs
When considering epoxy resin floor cost, resin flooring cost or resin floor cost UK, it is important to understand that preparation is often one of the largest elements of the project.
The amount of preparation required depends on the condition of the existing substrate. Floors with heavy contamination, damaged concrete or multiple layers of previous coatings will generally require more preparation work than a clean, sound concrete slab.
Factors affecting epoxy resin cost per ㎡ and overall resin floor cost include:
- Condition of the existing concrete
- Extent of contamination
- Amount of crack and surface repair required
- Thickness and type of existing coatings
- Accessibility of the area
- Required floor finish and specification
For this reason, there is no simple answer to questions such as “how much is resin flooring” or the likely epoxy resin cost per ㎡. Every floor must be assessed individually to determine the level of preparation required before installation.
Professional preparation for resin flooring UK projects
Whether you require an industrial epoxy floor coating or commercial resin flooring system, proper preparation is essential for achieving a durable and long-lasting result.
At Liberty Floor Solutions, we believe that successful epoxy flooring begins long before the first primer or resin coating is applied. By investing time and expertise into substrate preparation, we ensure that every resin floor delivers the performance, appearance and lifespan our clients expect.
Preparing floors for resin flooring throughout the UK
Whether we are installing resin flooring at industrial facilities, warehouses, workshops, factories or commercial premises, the same principles apply. Successful resin flooring starts with thorough substrate preparation.
Our experienced resin flooring specialists use industrial-grade grinding equipment, dust extraction systems and specialist preparation techniques to ensure every floor is ready to receive its new resin finish.
To discuss your flooring preparation requirements, speak to Tristan on 01933 716018 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to assisting you with your project.
