How Long Does Epoxy Coating Take to Cure?
Out of many queries, this is the most widely asked by the clients – What is the Epoxy Cure Time?
Well, such questions are usually asked to the epoxy flooring contractors in Melbourne. But you may not get what you are looking forward to.
The simple and straight forward answer to this question is seven days. It means that it takes a week for the final epoxy coating to completely get harden.
But if we talk about the drying of the epoxy coat, it usually happens overnight. Yet again this is not the case with all epoxy coatings.
For instance, if you are using water-based epoxy or solvent-borne epoxy (the stuff smells strong), and you could even have a higher or lower percentage of solids. It can take longer to dry.
Since the epoxy cure time is of seven days, there can certainly be some variations.
Like your floor may get dry enough to walk on it immediately after 12-hours or so and may also get ready for light uses after 24 hours. But wait, this time frame is not applicable to all the places.
For example, the colder and less humid an environment, the longer will the process of epoxy coating the floor. At a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and 60 per cent humidity, you may be able to keep back the furniture and other items back onto the floor in two or three days.
Pro Tip: If you keep back the furniture onto your newly finished floor even before the completion of seven-days, understand that, just like a new concrete slab, the epoxy floor will feel hard but at the same time, a lot will be going on underneath (multiple layering). If you are returning the furniture, make sure you cover the feet with soft cloth, or foam to minimize any damage. Also, make sure you do not drag the furniture. Lift and place it instead.
Above was the case with the epoxy flooring coating inside the residential or commercial building. If the epoxy floor work takes place outdoors, the time will have to be planned as per the weather conditions. Then your floors would require consecutive days of fine weather to dry up quickly. In case, rain is predicted, or any other untoward weather conditions seem to take place, be patient because your epoxy flooring contractor will guide you in the right direction.
Type of Product Affects Epoxy Curing Time
The type of product your epoxy flooring contractor in Melbourne use will also affect the curing time.
Many people also believe that if you maximize ventilation, the epoxy floor coating will dry fast. But again, this may not hold true in all circumstances.
You may end up creating a humid environment instead.
There are epoxies which are ‘moisture-cured,’ which means they would require moisture and heat to harden and dry up.
This is the major reason- In the places which have hotter climate, the epoxy floor coatings can be applied in the day time in which the concrete cools down around mid-afternoon. If epoxy is coated to the concrete which is warming, it can cause a lot of issues.
Here’s How You Can Speed Up the Epoxy Curing Process
Based on the epoxy product your epoxy flooring contractor uses, you will be able to speed up the drying time- either by creating a humid, or warm environment, as already explained above.
There are epoxy products that dry really fast. Such products are expensive and also require significant number of people to control the epoxy application process.
Such fast-drying epoxies are made for the areas that receive heavy traffic, or cold areas where fridges are kept; commercial kitchens or the businesses that cannot bear any financial loss.
The speedy drying of epoxy sounds good but you can even end up serious issues later on. For example, if you had a sub-standard concrete slab and on the day of pouring concrete, if it turns out to be cold, the working time with the concrete may increase.
In the worst-case scenario, a fast-drying epoxy-based product will not be able to build a grip on the surface because it would need slower processing time.
Components of Epoxy
Most epoxies are made of two components:
Part A (resin) and
Part B (hardener)
The two components should be linked with each other and must be concrete so as to build a bond.
If the quality of concrete is compromised, and fast-drying product is also used, the results will get affected. Within months, the coating will tear off and you may have to do it.
Haste Makes Waste – Abide by this rule because if you really do not need the floor so urgent, then let the epoxy coating process go naturally.
If you wait, chances are extra time will be worthwhile.
If you are deciding to get the epoxy floor done, it is advised to check the products with a critical eye. Here's one truth, you may not get any reply from your epoxy flooring contractor. But if you take services from one of the best epoxy flooring contractors that is Tuff Build, your every doubt and query will be answered.
Time You Need to Wait for New Concrete?
Normally, the concrete slab requires at least 28-days before coating. Even almost after a month, the moisture will be tested to ensure that the concrete is ready for coating.
This rule is general, but rest of the variables will be played with like;
The thickness of concrete
Curing conditions
Components used in the concrete
The type of coating to be used on the concrete
Who’s the Main Culprit?
Moisture is main culprit. This is what the experts would want right out of the slab.
Slabs may have excess moisture for multiple reasons. A moisture vapor treatment or barrier can also be applied to counteract it. This treatment prevents moisture from rising within the slab. Also, it can withstand huge amounts of water pressure.
If your concrete slab gets a coating that completely seals the surface, the water pressure (also called hydrostatic pressure) may build up and rip through epoxy coat.
Investing in moisture treatment is crucial. In reality, moisture issues represent less than 5% of the entire work. You may even require the assistance of water proofing specialists.
If you are someone who is looking forward to getting epoxy floor installed, contact Tuff Build, the best epoxy floor contractors.
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