GEOCRETE FAQS
HOW EXACTLY DOES THE PROCESS WORK?
We start by diamond grinding the floor, which opens the pores of the concrete. After fixing any surface cracks or small holes in the concrete, we apply the pigmented base coat by pouring it out, spreading it around with a squeegee & back-rolling it. The base coat penetrates down into the pores of the concrete. A full broadcast of 100% recycled vinyl chip (in your choice of colors) is applied. The floor is left to cure for 2 – 3 hours while the chip bonds with the base coat. We then lightly scrape the floor to knock off any loose chip, and the remaining loose chip is gathered up. The top coat, which is the same product as the base coat minus the pigment, is then applied in the same manner as the base coat. Because we use the same product for the base coat & the top coat, the 2 coats cross-link, locking the chip in and making the whole flooring system four times stronger than epoxy.
DOES MY GARAGE FLOOR COME WITH A WARRANTY?
Yes, your garage floor is fully warranted with a Lifetime Warranty against peeling, delamination and wear for as long as you own your home.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE A GARAGE FLOOR?
A typical two car garage without major cracks or surface damage can be completed in one day. Larger commercial floors typically take 3-5 days depending on the surface condition.
HOW LONG BEFORE I CAN USE MY GARAGE AFTER THE FLOOR IS DONE?
You may walk on it in 4 hours, move items back into the garage in 6 hours and drive on it in as little as 24 hrs. (Cure time varies based on ambient temperatures & humidity levels)
WHAT IF MY FLOOR IS CRACKED?
Hairline cracks will be filled in with basecoat and do not require special attention unless the crack is wide or deep. We patch all pits and cracks by utilizing a unique concrete patching compound, and then allow the patching compound to sufficiently cure and continue with the garage floor prep and detail.
CAN THE CRACKS AND SPALLING OF OUR CONCRETE BE FIXED AND RESURFACED?
Concrete restoration is an important part of our business. Many floors with considerable damage can be repaired and resurfaced rather than removing and pouring new concrete. Our polyurea repair product and application system has saved many floors from costly construction projects.
HOW DO I CLEAN THE FLOOR?
Floor cleaning is simple and labor saving as most spills will wipe right up. The best system is to use a small amount of detergent in warm water, apply to floor and agitate with a stiff bristle broom. Wisk away water using a neoprene squeegee. This system makes use of dirty mops obsolete.
WILL ALL CONCRETED AREAS IN THE GARAGE BE FINISHED?
Yes, at your request, we can do all the base areas as well as steps. We coat all exposed concrete in your garage.
I WANT A SPECIFIC COLOR FOR MY FLOORING, ARE CUSTOMIZED COLORS AVAILABLE?
Of course! Before we begin your installation, we will sit down with you to discuss the vision you have for your new dream floor and find just the right color and texture that suits your preferences and needs.
WILL COATING APPLICATION CREATE A STRONG ODOR?
Our coating is a unique blend that is free of VOC’s and harsh solvents. Odors are minimal and not offensive. Due to the rapid cure process, any odors are short lived.
DO YOU ACID ETCH THE CONCRETE BEFORE APPLYING A COATING?
Acid etching can rough up the surface but will not adequately open the pores of the concrete. Also, acid etching is harmful to the environment. Floor grinding removes the high spots and opens the pores enabling the polyurea to soak into the surface.
WILL CONCRETE GRINDING CREATE A LOT OF DUST?
Our floor grinding equipment has a high-powered dustless vacuum that virtually eliminates dust.
DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR CERTAIN WEATHER FOR MY PROJECTS BE COMPLETED?
We use polyaspartic polyurea coatings that can be applied when temperatures are below zero or above 100 degrees. We adjust the cure time depending on the climate.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREPARE FOR YOUR ARRIVAL?
Household goods and/or vehicles will need to be removed from the area during the installation and curing process. You may walk on your new floor after four hours of the final application, move your household goods in after six hours, and drive on your new floor after 24 hours of the final application.
WILL THE NEW COATING PROTECT FROM BACTERIA BUILDUP?
Our coating has been engineered to prevent micro scratches which harbor bacteria. Micro scratches are straight and not frayed (like epoxy coatings). A simple cleaning with warm water, small amount of detergent and a neoprene squeegee will remove the dirt and bacteria creating a hygienic surface.
WILL TIRES DAMAGE THE FLOOR?
Hot tires from your car will not damage the new coating. In an industrial facility forklift tires will not damage the surface. However, we have found that the wrong forklift tires can create rubber dust and tire marks. The tire marks can be cleaned as well as rubber dust.
WILL CHEMICALS, BRAKE FLUID OR GREASE HARM THE SURFACE?
Our coating is applied in many harsh environments like auto repair bays and high traffic warehouses. Most chemicals will not cause harm and can easily and quickly be cleaned with a stiff bristle broom and squeegee.
ARE COATINGS SLIPPERY?
We can build non-slip, or as the industry calls it, Coefficient of Friction (COF), into each layer. Building COF into each layer ensures compliance with OSHA recommended levels.
CAN THE COATING BE REPAIRED IF DAMAGED?
In most cases, the concrete will become damaged before the coating. However, from extreme wear and tear or dragging something across the surface, the floor can become damaged. If this happens, we can lightly sand the surface and apply a new coating restoring the floor to new with minimal downtime.
IS THE COATING WATERPROOF?
Polyurea soaks into concrete becoming part of the floor, capping off moisture pressure from below. We can install cove molding along with all interior walls, then we apply the coating to the top edge. This makes for a seamless, waterproof surface.
CAN COATINGS BE APPLIED IN PHASES?
Commercial properties that are in operation can be completed in phases to avoid disrupting business. One of the beauties of our polyurea is the rapid cure time. Our coating applies and cures quickly with minimal downtime.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF POLYASPARTIC COATINGS?
Two major benefits of polyaspartic coatings are time and temperature. Unlike an epoxy coating, the polyaspartic floor coating is capable of application at very low temperatures. This is perfect for outdoor applications in Minnesota’s cold weather. Other benefits include:
- 100% UV stable, which means no floor yellowing
- High gloss finish, which is reflective and brightens a room
- Crystal clear finish that is moisture-resistant
- High scratch and abrasion resistance
- Flexible for better high impact resistance
- Little to no VOCs
- High chemical and stain resistance
- Coating penetrates into the concrete, creating a strong bond
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POLYUREA, POLYASPARTIC AND EPOXY?
Without going into a great deal of chemistry, the best answer is the polyurea/polyaspartic bonds much better and is a stronger, more durable coating. The polyurea/polyaspartic is so durable, we back it with a lifetime warranty against peeling, delamination, color fading or floor failure due to workmanship or product failure under normal circumstances. Most Epoxy products only come with a three to five- year warranty.
WHY NOT EPOXY DO IT YOURSELF KITS?
We are often asked how effective the discount epoxy kits at the big box home centers are. As we all know, big home centers sell (relatively) inexpensive one and two-part epoxy kits from Rust-Oleum, Behr, and other manufacturers.
These discount kits are of inferior quality, although we do not wish to disparage any particular brand. Many of the epoxies in these kits are water based and, in most cases, are only a concrete paint. Discount kits have their place, such as for laundry room floors and light foot traffic areas. But, for the heavy-duty use required for automobile parking, discount kits generally will not fit the bill. Unfortunately, some commercial installers are using discount kits in order to keep their costs down. If you have received a low-ball bid on a concrete coating job at your home, you should be quite suspicious.
Always ask your installer:
- The brand and type of coating they intend to use. Where the installer intends to purchase it. High-grade coatings are purchased from concrete specialty supply houses and directly from manufacturers.
- What is the installer’s method of preparation of the concrete, if they acid etch for their prep…run away!
It has been our experience, in reviewing and inspecting concrete surfaces that are coated with such products, that the discount coatings fail prematurely for two reasons. The first problem with such coatings is that they lack enough abrasion resistance and proper prep of the concrete substrate. Thus, such coatings are prone to scratching, peeling and ultimately failing and coming up from the concrete. When a concrete coating fails to adhere to the concrete below, the coating chips away, revealing the concrete underneath. Second, most of the epoxies on the market today are not UV tolerant resulting in color fade and clouding of the coating material. This usually happens within a manner of months when only partially exposed to the sun light. Many contractors today that do concrete coatings still use outdated and failure-prone epoxy coatings when they do a job. The main reason for this is cost…less cost for them means more money in their pocket. A decent contractor is going to be up front and tell you what his material make up is and how his process and system is put down. Be very wary of low-ball bids…if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A quality floor coating system will not consist of cheap epoxy or concrete paint, and prep is really the key. If a contractor uses acid to prep the concrete, that is a major red flag and one that should be avoided.
HOW EXACTLY DOES THE PROCESS WORK?
We start by diamond grinding the floor, which opens the pores of the concrete. After fixing any surface cracks or small holes in the concrete, we apply the pigmented base coat by pouring it out, spreading it around with a squeegee & back-rolling it. The base coat penetrates down into the pores of the concrete. A full broadcast of 100% recycled vinyl chip (in your choice of colors) is applied. The floor is left to cure for 2 – 3 hours while the chip bonds with the base coat. We then lightly scrape the floor to knock off any loose chip, and the remaining loose chip is gathered up. The top coat, which is the same product as the base coat minus the pigment, is then applied in the same manner as the base coat. Because we use the same product for the base coat & the top coat, the 2 coats cross-link, locking the chip in and making the whole flooring system four times stronger than epoxy.
DOES MY GARAGE FLOOR COME WITH A WARRANTY?
Yes, your garage floor is fully warranted with a Lifetime Warranty against peeling, delamination, and wear for as long as you own your home.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE A GARAGE FLOOR?
A typical two car garage without major cracks or surface damage can be completed in one day. Larger commercial floors typically take 3-5 days depending on the condition.
HOW LONG BEFORE I CAN USE MY GARAGE AFTER THE FLOOR IS DONE?
You may walk on it in 4 hours, move items back into the garage in 6 hours and drive on it in as little as 24 hrs. (Cure time varies based on ambient temperatures & humidity levels)