Can Epoxy Flooring Cover Cracks and Joints?

True, epoxy flooring is highly durable, and mixing it with concrete is a perfect combination as far as durability. Concrete, on the other hand, cracks. It will always happen somehow; the only question is when and how.

A CONCRETE/EPOXY CRACK'S BASICS

Cracks must be handled in the same way as a joint or existing crack in the concrete should be handled by your epoxy installation company. True, they can be a challenge in terms of floor aesthetics, particularly if you are looking for that coveted and seamless epoxy look that makes that flooring material unique. Understanding the crack or joint itself is the first step in repairing these cracks.

You need to identify the crack or joint and determine the direction where the concrete moves to prevent further disruptions in the epoxy's surface. Since the cost of these types of repairs can vary, your epoxy specialist can return and provide you with many options for repairing and preventing further cracks. You need to understand how much you'll have to spend to keep the epoxy looking smooth and free of imperfections again.

HOW WE UNDERSTAND JOINTS

Joints have a purpose, which is why they are included in your concrete flooring. On the other hand, joints are often adjusted at the customer's request for aesthetic purposes. Correcting a joint the most attractive way might not be the best way to do so and that becomes evident fairly early in the flooring's life. Unfortunately, joints aren't known for performing well under epoxy flooring, and often the joint will have to be covered and bridged. However, there are few factors to consider before going on with the project to ensure the flooring's long-term integrity. To begin, think about why the joint was installed in the first place.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF JOINTS

There are three (3) types of joints, and each requires their special treatment if you want to cover them with epoxy and make the floor appear seamless.

A control joint is put in place to reduce shrinkage tension. This method works by establishing a weak point in the concrete to influence where the crack may eventually happen, ensuring that it is not structurally disastrous.

Then there's the construction joint; it is usually placed between two concrete pieces poured separately. It is also called a stopping point or sometimes referred to as a cold joint. It incorporates a metal strip attached to the concrete slab's bottom and joined with metal dowels that form a pre-modelled edge between each concrete pour.

The last type of joint referred to as an expansion joint. It is placed there to provide room for movement by absorbing vibrations, preventing concrete action from expanding and contracting, and absorbing. Each of these joints must be expertly covered and filled in to complete their structural functions in the concrete.