GatorGuard Concrete Coatings: One-Day Garage Floor Coatings: Good Idea or Prone to Failure?

One-Day Garage Floor Coatings: Good Idea or Prone to Failure?

The Illusion of Convenience

In St. Louis, the concept of a one-day polyurea-polyaspartic coating system might seem like a perfect solution for those looking for quick results with minimal disruption. However, as many of us have found out the hard way — faster doesn’t always mean better. This perceived convenience can lead to serious issues down the line, sometimes less than a year after installation.

Home and business owners quickly find out that the quick and convenient perks of a one-day installation may simply mean “rushed and cutting corners.”

Local Environmental Factors

If you live here, you know that St. Louis experiences some hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The result? Moisture laden soil that leads to high concrete moisture content. One-day systems lack the ability to manage high moisture levels (we’ll explain why), resulting in coating failures like bubbling and delamination.

Fine Print: The Hidden Costs of One-Day Warranties

One of the most critical, yet often overlooked, aspects of one-day systems is the fine print in their warranties. These systems frequently exclude coverage for moisture-related damages, which are the leading cause of floor coating failures. Homeowners may find themselves liable for repair costs when issues like blistering or peeling occur due to moisture.

This lack of coverage is typically buried in the fine print (under “warranty exclusions”), leaving customers uninformed and unprotected when problems arise.

The Problem With One-Day Systems

One day coating systems use a quick-curing polyurea-polyaspartic as both the direct-to-concrete primer coat and the clear top coat. They use these fast-cure coatings for all layers of the coating system to ensure they can finish the installation in the promised 1 day.

However, polyurea-polyaspartics have an Achilles heel. When exposed to moisture in the concrete (or air in the form of humidity), these fast-cure coatings cure faster still. In well under an hour! While this helps complete the installation quickly, the fast-cure polyurea-polyaspartic doesn’t have time to properly penetrate and bond with the concrete slab.

The result? A wafer-thin, poorly bonded primer coat that is susceptible to moisture issues (like high hydrostatic pressures). Given that the entire coating system is only as strong as its primer coat, this is a critical step to ignore.

The Superior Two-Day Installation

In a comprehensive two-day installation, the first day involves the meticulous application of a slower-curing, moisture-mitigating 100%-solids epoxy primer as a moisture vapor barrier. This “high-build” primer coat slowly and deeply penetrates and bonds with the concrete slab, forming a thick protective barrier. This step is crucial, as it minimizes the potential for bubbling and delamination caused by moisture-related issues (like moisture vapor transmission, high hydrostatic pressure, etc.).

The second day is dedicated to layering two separate 100%-solids polyurea-polyaspartic top coats. (One day systems apply a single layer only using a less-than-100%-solids clear topcoat). These dual polyurea-polyaspartic top coats provide the needed UV, stain and chemical resistance. The result is a durable, 35-mil plus thick coating system that can confidently warrant against all moisture related issues and staining (including hot tire staining).

This 2-day process not only provides exceptional durability and resistance to St. Louis’s varied weather conditions but also enhances the coating’s aesthetic appeal. The extended curing time allows the primer coat to properly penetrate the concrete, while the dual polyaspartic topcoats withstand heavy foot and vehicle traffic, UV exposure, and chemical spills. This thorough approach results in a flooring system that offers superior protection and longevity, far surpassing the capabilities of quick one-day installations.

Choose Quality from Local Professionals

The choice between a quick one-day installation and a comprehensive two-day process ought to be clear. Yes, we’re biased, but we want to offer the best coating systems. Two-day coatings offer significant advantages in terms of durability, moisture management, and long-term cost savings. Homeowners and businesses should avoid the pitfalls associated with one-day systems, ensuring a robust and reliable flooring solution that stands the test of time.

About GatorGuard Concrete Coatings St Louis

”At GatorGuard, we set ourselves apart from other floor coating contractors by offering the highest quality products, comprehensive warranties, and the best installation and customer service. But we don’t stop there—all our epoxy floor coatings are installed with our GatorShield moisture mitigation barrier to help prevent delamination, which can occur from hydrostatic pressure. We also offer a White Glove service, where we will handle the removal, storage, and replacement of all your furniture and belongings, so you don’t have to lift a finger.

Contact GatorGuard today to learn more about our epoxy floor coating options and to schedule a consultation at your St. Louis, MO home.”