No-odor Epoxy Floor Coatings are Ideal for Condo Floors

After a new condominium complex is occupied, there are often few options available for correcting bad choices made during the selection of flooring surfaces. The integrated nature of the heating, cooling, and common spaces make restoration of  damaged floors difficult. Any prospective solution must not produce harmful odors and must be accomplished with a minimum of disturbance to neighboring condominium owners.

Durall Industial Flooring solves these types of problems with its 100% solids, solvent- and odor-free Dura Poxy seal.

A recent example involved a floor with a soft JibCrete base covered by a top seal that was unable to stand up to the water and cooking residue falling on it. Due to the soft nature of both the topcoat and base material, women’s high heals were making impressions in the floor surface. In addition, discoloration of the topcoat was resulting from everyday wear and cleaning.

Durall corrected these troubling features by applying Dura Poxy over the exiting finish and substrate. Because Dura Poxy contains no solvents, there was no danger of dissolving or penetrating the existing fragile surfaces. Divots and impressions left in the floor from the high pressures produced by high heels were filled in. Scratches from moving appliances and discoloration from cooking spills were also corrected.

When applying floor seals that can be 20 to 500 mils thick as they repair and level imperfect floor surfaces, it is critical to consider the height of the coating in addition to the length and width issues of normal roll-on applications. When water is poured on glass, it protrudes above the surface at the edges. Pulling a finger though the water, one sees flattening at the entry and exit points due to its surface tension. When leveling floors, these same effects of the epoxy's surface tension must be dealt with. In other words “self- evelling,” which is incomplete even for liquids like water, will not produce a flat top layer of epoxy.

Dura Poxy does not shrink and will harden at any height it is left at after being catalyzed. But special procedures are needed in order to assure a flat surface while filling uneven anomalies in the substrate. Durall has found that using a squeegee-like motion with a very short nap roller (3/16") creates a pool of epoxy that can be pulled towards you to leak into low spots while keeping the surface flat. Care must be used to apply an even coat at the surface, and too much rolling can cause the surface to try to contour along the floor's imperfections.

Durall Industrial Flooring, Minneapolis, MN, is the only industrial flooring manufacturer that also makes over 500 specialty cleaners. Durall’s 40 years of chemical manufacturing experience has produced a special preparation of cleaners and an application system assuring optimum flooring adhesion and wear results. Durall provides factory-direct support for these new products.

Durall has recognized that customers, whether professionals or amateurs, want to buy solutions - not products. As a result, Durall provides a Web-based, free, cost analysis at www.concrete-floor- oatings.com. Durall field technicians use the floor condition, existing resources, and desired outcome provided by the customer to prepare a recommended kit of materials and step-by- tep instructions for taking the project from beginning to end. These customized kits are delivered directly to the job site.

To address those unexpected questions and problems, Durall also provides a 24/7 help line during the project.

For high resolution photo examples, visit:
www.concrete-floor-coatings.com/photos/condo

For more information, contact Harvey Chichester at:
harvey@concrete-floor-coatings.com

Phone: 1-800-466-8910 or 952-888-1488 (24/7)