Removing a Failed Epoxy Floor: A Complete Guide and the Correct Equipment

    Removing a failed epoxy floor is a process that requires proper techniques and tools to ensure a clean and thorough removal. Professional assistance is recommended to achieve the best results. Epoxy garage floors and epoxy basement floors are usually the victim due to DIY big box store kits that are low quality and they don’t give you enough to get desired thickness. These kits will fail 99% of the time due to poor prep and application. 

Here is a step-by-step process for professionally removing a failed epoxy floor:

Step 1: Safety Precautions Before starting any removal process, ensure you have the necessary safety equipment, including gloves, safety glasses, and a respirator. Additionally, make sure the area is well-ventilated to minimize the inhalation of fumes or dust.

Step 2: Assess the Condition Evaluate the condition of the epoxy floor. Identify any areas where the epoxy coating has failed, such as peeling, bubbling, or delamination. This assessment will help determine the best removal method.

Step 3: Surface Preparation Prepare the area by removing any furniture, fixtures, or obstructions from the floor. Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove loose debris and dust. This will ensure a clean working surface and prevent contamination during the removal process.

Step 4: Mechanical Grinding Using a floor grinder with a diamond grinding wheel or abrasive attachment, mechanically grind the failed epoxy floor. This process will remove the top layer of the epoxy coating, as well as any underlying primer or sealer. The goal is to achieve a clean, roughened surface to promote proper adhesion for future coatings.

Step 5: Shot Blasting (if necessary) In cases where the epoxy coating is thick or stubborn, shot blasting may be required. Shot blasting involves using specialized equipment to blast steel shots at high velocity, effectively removing the epoxy coating and preparing the surface for reapplication.

Step 6: Chemical Stripping (if necessary) For particularly stubborn or intricate areas, chemical stripping may be an option. This involves applying a commercial epoxy stripper or solvent to soften and dissolve the epoxy coating. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and ensure proper ventilation and safety precautions during this step.

Step 7: Surface Cleaning Thoroughly clean the floor surface to remove any residue or remaining epoxy particles. Use a commercial degreaser or detergent along with scrubbing brushes or a floor scrubber to ensure a clean and debris-free surface.

Step 8: Surface Inspection Inspect the floor surface after the removal process. Check for any remaining traces of epoxy or uneven areas that may require further attention. Address any imperfections to ensure a smooth and clean surface for future coatings.

 It is important to note that the removal of a failed epoxy floor can be challenging, time-consuming, and physically demanding. It is advisable to seek professional assistance to ensure a proper removal process and to avoid potential damage to the underlying substrate or further complications. Professional epoxy flooring contractors have the expertise and very expensive specialized tools to safely and effectively remove failed epoxy floors, providing a solid foundation for future coatings and ensuring a successful flooring project.

 So before you go and attempt this yourself, give a professional epoxy flooring contractor near me a call to save the massive headache.