The Problem With “One-Day” Garage Floor Coatings
The Perils of Skipping Moisture-Mitigation
If you’ve looked into garage floor coatings recently, you’ve probably seen companies boasting “one-day” installations. It sounds great—quick, done in a day. But what many of these companies conveniently forget to mention is that they’re often skipping critical steps, all to save time. That can be especially damaging when it comes to dealing with moisture in your concrete.
We know that skipping moisture mitigation is one of the fastest ways to end up with a failed floor. And unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens when polyaspartic or polyurea coatings are applied directly to bare concrete without a proper epoxy primer.
Are polyurea-polyaspartic coatings good for hot tire resistance?
Polyurea and polyaspartic coatings are ideal for chemical resistance, UV stability, and scratch resistance. However, when applied directly to concrete, their quick curing properties can limit hot tire pick-up resistance. To improve performance in this regard, a moisture-mitigating epoxy-based primer should be applied first. This primer enhances adhesion and helps prevent hot tire-related issues, ensuring a more durable and resistant coating system.
Are the flakes used in your system decorative or functional?
The flakes in the flooring system serve multiple functional purposes beyond their aesthetic appeal. They significantly enhance slip resistance, especially in areas prone to moisture or spills, creating a safer environment for walking and driving. Additionally, the inclusion of flakes contributes to the overall durability, making the surface more resistant to wear and tear over time. When mica stone flakes are incorporated, the floor’s impact resistance and hardness are further enhanced, allowing it to withstand heavy impacts and abrasions.
Adding mica stone flakes not only boosts the floor’s strength but also elevates its visual appeal. Their reflective qualities give the surface a distinctive, attractive appearance. Ultimately, integrating mica flakes results in a resilient, virtually indestructible flooring solution that combines safety, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
Overall, the flakes combine both aesthetic and functional benefits, making them a versatile component in the coating system.
Are your coatings VOC-compliant and environmentally safe?
Yes, our garage floor coating products are ZERO VOC and 100% solids, making them environmentally safe and VOC-compliant. We focus on using eco-friendly products that meet all current regulations, ensuring a safe, sustainable, and high-quality solution for your garage or commercial space. Our zero VOC coatings provide excellent durability and performance without compromising environmental responsibility.
Can your system be applied to older concrete that is damaged and stained?
Absolutely, at GarageFloorCoating.com, our ultra thick moisture mitigating industrial-grade coating systems are specifically designed to be applied not just to older concrete, but also to heavily damaged, contaminated or previously coated surfaces.
Whether your slab is decades old, has minor cracks, surface imperfections, or even more severe damage, we have the expertise and proprietary products to restore it. Our process includes thorough surface preparation (like diamond grinding and moisture testing), structural and cosmetic repairs, and the application of a multi layer moisture-mitigating coating system to ensure a durable, long-lasting bond.
We don’t just coat new concrete, we specialize in revitalizing and protecting older, worn, and even previously failed concrete floors and coatings. It’s what sets GarageFloorCoating.com apart.
Do you offer a warranty against hydrostatic pressure?
Yes, we do. At GarageFloorCoating.com, we offer a lifetime warranty that includes protection against hydrostatic pressure and all other moisture-related issues—something most “1-day” coating companies specifically exclude.
Hydrostatic pressure, which occurs when moisture vapor pushes up through the concrete slab, is one of the leading causes of coating failure. That’s why we never skip moisture testing and always apply a moisture-mitigating epoxy primer as the foundation of every system. This critical step ensures proper adhesion and long-term durability—even in high-moisture environments like residential garages.
Our coatings are built to last, and our warranty backs it up.
Why This Matters
Polyaspartics and polyureas cure very quickly. That speed is part of what makes them attractive, but it also means they don’t have time to soak into the concrete surface. If there’s moisture in the slab—and there often is—it gets trapped underneath. Over time, that moisture builds up pressure and causes the coating to bubble, peel, or delaminate entirely.
This isn’t just our opinion. Leading manufacturers across the industry (including Sherwin-Williams, Corotech, Sika, BASF, Stonhard, and more) recommend testing for moisture and using a 100% solids moisture vapor barrier epoxy primer before applying polyaspartic or polyurea topcoats.
And even the companies that make these fast-curing products—ArmorPoxy, VersaFlex, and others—make it clear: these coatings are not designed to be applied directly to concrete.
Backed by Industry Standards
Organizations like ASTM International, the American Concrete Institute (ACI), and the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) all have published guidelines for how concrete coatings should be applied.
- Moisture testing is always required.
- Surface prep needs to meet Concrete Surface Profile (CSP) standards.
- Moisture vapor barrier epoxy primers should be used before topcoating.
ASTM F3010 specifically lays out standards for managing moisture vapor under resinous coatings. Ignoring these standards doesn’t just increase the risk of coating failure—it can also void any warranties the installer may have offered.
And here’s something most homeowners don’t realize: when companies offer warranties with their “one-day” installs on these garage floors, those warranties often exclude moisture issues. If moisture is covered at all, the allowable levels are usually so low (3–4 lbs MVER or 75–80% RH) that most garage slabs won’t qualify anyway.
How We Handle It at Garage Floor Coating Western Colorado
We don’t skip steps. Here’s how we do it:
- Every slab we coat is tested for moisture using industry-standard tools.
- We apply a moisture-mitigating epoxy primer on every job—no exceptions.
- Our systems are backed by warranties that actually include moisture-related failures.
The epoxy primers we use, like Eco-CorFlex MME, can handle up to 100% Relative Humidity and over 20 lbs of moisture vapor emissions. That means your coating has the best possible chance of lasting, even in Colorado’s unique mix of dry air, cold winters, and ground moisture variability.
Do you offer color and design customization?
At GarageFloorCoating.com, we offer extensive color and design customization to match your style, space, and vision.
Choose from a wide range of flake blends, metallics, solid colors, and our exclusive Mica Stone blends, a proprietary option only available through GarageFloorCoating.com. Whether you’re looking for something subtle and classic or bold and modern, our customizable design options let you create a floor that’s uniquely yours.
Our goal isn’t just durability; it’s delivering a floor that looks as stunning as it performs.
How does diamond grinding improve coating adhesion?
We use 800 lbs Lavina diamond grinding equipment to properly prepare the concrete surface and ensure long-term adhesion of our multi-layer coating systems.
This process is critical because:
✅ It creates an ideal surface profile – Diamond grinding removes the smooth surface layer of concrete typically called the “Cream Layer” not only does it produce a textured finish (profile), by removing this natural protective concrete layer it
At GarageFloorCoating.com, proper surface preparation isn’t an afterthought—it’s the foundation of a beautiful, long-lasting floor.
How does GarageFloorCoating.com handle cracks in the concrete?
At GarageFloorCoating.com, our crack repair system goes far beyond cosmetic patching, it’s engineered for permanent structural reinforcement.
While most companies (especially “one-day” installers) use fast-setting fillers that shrink, crack, or fail over time, we take a comprehensive and advanced approach:
✅ Deep-penetrating, moisture mitigating repair materials – We use high-performance moisture mitigating urethane epoxy hybrid-based menders that chemically bond to the concrete permanently and prevent cracks from reappearing beneath the coating.
✅ Crack stitching with carbon fiber – For structural or recurring cracks, we implement a crack stitching repair system. This involves embedding multiple carbon fiber stitches directly into the concrete, dramatically increasing tensile strength and preventing future movement or separation.
✅ Integrated into a full preparation system – Our crack repairs are just one part of a broader surface preparation process that includes diamond grinding, moisture mitigating, and a multi-layer, full-broadcast coating system for unmatched durability.
In short, we don’t just fill cracks—we stabilize them for life, using the same reinforcement techniques found in commercial and industrial concrete repair.
When you choose GarageFloorCoating.com, you’re choosing professional-grade repairs, not shortcuts.
How long does a full-chip epoxy garage floor coating last?
At GarageFloorCoating.com, our full-chip Moisture Mitigation Epoxy Polyaspartic floor coating systems are designed for maximum durability and longevity.
When properly installed with our multi-layer, moisture-mitigating system and maintained as recommended, your coating can last 30 years or more. Unlike “one-day” polyurea polyaspartic systems that skip critical moisture mitigation, our industrial-grade coatings include a 100% solids vapor barrier primer, full-broadcast chip application, and 2 100% solids polyaspartic topcoats, thus eliminating the possibility of peeling, staining, hot tire lift, and UV degradation.
In fact, we’re so confident in our systems that we offer a lifetime warranty against any type of peeling (aka delamination) even due to moisture-related issues—something you simply won’t find elsewhere.
Want it to last decades? Then skip the shortcuts. Go full chip. Go GarageFloorCoating.com.
Can garage floor coatings be installed in cold or humid climates?
Yes, at GarageFloorCoating.com, our coating systems are specially engineered to perform in a wide range of environments, including extreme heat, freezing temperatures, and high humidity. No matter the climate, our industrial-grade products deliver long-lasting durability and reliable performance year-round.
We use industrial-grade resins manufactured exclusively by Eco-CorFlex Industrial Polymers, which are formulated to cure properly even in challenging environmental conditions. Whether it’s high humidity or colder temperatures, our experienced installers adjust installation techniques and cure schedules to ensure a proper bond and long-lasting durability.
Unlike many “one-day” coating companies that rely on fast-curing polyaspartics vulnerable to moisture interference, we always start with a moisture-mitigating epoxy primer, allowing our coatings to perform reliably in garages across all regions and seasons.
No shortcuts. No seasonal limitations. Just beautiful, high-performance floors—installed right the first time.
Shortcuts Don’t Usually End Well
Cutting out moisture mitigation might save time, but it costs quality. And once a coating fails, it’s expensive to fix. We’d rather do it right the first time, even if that takes longer. Sometimes, it’s the difference between a 2-year lifespan and a 20-year lifespan between garage floor coatings.
If you’re thinking about having your space coated, ask questions. Make sure your contractor is testing for moisture. Make sure they’re using an actual moisture barrier. And if they aren’t, find someone who will.
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