If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably asked yourself the following question: Can I put concrete over epoxy?
Well, the good news is that it can be done. However, before we jump in and get started, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First of all, make sure to properly prepare your subfloor before applying the new concrete. Second of all, while it may seem like a good idea to try this on your own if you have some experience with home improvement projects, it’s important to use a professional contractor for a project like this one.
In this guide, we’ve taken you through every step of the way from start to finish so that no matter what happens along the way—whether you’re working within a strict timeframe or budget or dealing with an unexpected issue—you’ll end up with results that are easy on your eyes and hard as nails (pun intended).
Can you put concrete on top of epoxy?
So you want to pour concrete over epoxy. Can you do that? The answer is yes. It’s a very common practice to put concrete on top of an epoxy floor, be it in a garage, basement, showroom, or commercial warehouse. But there are some important factors you need to consider before pouring the second layer of concrete over the existing epoxy floor.
First, and most importantly, make sure the epoxy has fully cured before pouring another layer on top of it. If it’s not completely dry and hardened, it will take longer for the new layer of concrete to cure (and may even prevent full curing). This process is called “de-bonding.” You can ensure proper curing by checking with your manufacturer’s instructions or using an adhesive promoter primer prior to applying the new layer.
Second, the existing surface needs to be sanded down so that there are no bubbles or bumps in the first coat of concrete/epoxy.
Otherwise, those imperfections will show through in your final product after drying – which isn’t exactly ideal if you’re looking for smoothness and levelness. The first coat should also be cleaned (a broom and dustpan will do), so that not too much dirt gets trapped underneath this new surface layer during the installation process later on (which means potentially more work later down line).
Last but not least: make sure that everything around where we’ll be pouring our second flooring material is prepped up with protective tarps/plastic sheets now too!
Now let’s talk about thickness: when installing concrete onto an existing floor – especially one with cracks that may need filling out beforehand – we recommend using at least three inches worth of fresh cement mix material spread evenly across all sections being covered up here first before running some kind if trowel tool along its edges after drying time has passed (of course) just like how our previous tip mentioned above suggested doing when mixing up any other coating chemical compounds/sealants
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Can you put self leveling concrete over epoxy?
The short answer is yes, you can use self-leveling concrete over epoxy flooring. While self-leveler is forgiving and easy to apply, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure a smooth and durable finished surface.
This includes:
- Remove any existing coatings or carpet glue by shot blasting or grinding
- Thoroughly clean and degrease the area using an industrial detergent
- Fill cracks with an epoxy filler before shot blasting or grinding
- Apply a primer specifically designed for concrete surfaces
What can you put over epoxy floor?
Most epoxy applications can be put over a thin layer of epoxy paint. If you don’t want to remove the old epoxy paint, decide whether to do an epoxy coating or an epoxy mortar. Most likely, the coating will not be thick enough to cover the previous floor. So we suggest an epoxy mortar that is thick enough to hide any imperfections on the existing floor.
How do you cover an epoxy floor?
You can cover an epoxy floor in several ways:
- High-quality floor paint. A fresh coat of paint is an affordable and easy way to change the look of your garage. It will also improve the durability and longevity of your epoxy coating. Prevent damaging chemicals from eating away at your protective coating with a fresh coat of latex, oil, or enamel paint.
- Carpet over it! Did you just install a brand new beautiful metallic epoxy floor? Did you love it so much that you didn’t want to put a single thing on it for fear of ruining the shiny finish? Don’t worry, we get it! We love our epoxy floors too! But sometimes you need to change things up when they start feeling stale. So if putting something on top is what you’re looking for, consider carpeting your newly epoxied garage floor. You can have custom tiles or mats made to fit any size or shape space so that they won’t interfere with toolboxes and other items located along the walls, and there are many different styles and colors available.
- Vinyl flooring system. Is painting or carpeting not quite what you had in mind? That’s okay! There are plenty more options out there for covering up your fancy new epoxy garage floor! One popular option for people who like a more modern feel is vinyl sheeting; this material comes in all sorts of colors and designs so finding one that suits your style will be easy as pie (or maybe even easier)! The only downside with vinyl sheeting would be that if you want something more traditional like wood grain patterns then its price might make this option cost prohibitive because real wood does exist at comparable costs depending on where/what type). We recommend going with a DIY installation kit from sites like Home Depot which offers them at around $200 per roll (and has tutorials online) before deciding whether or not this material fits both aesthetically as well functionally
How do you prepare a concrete floor for epoxy?
How do you prepare a concrete floor for epoxy?
The single most important step to ensure the success of your epoxy coating is the preparation of your concrete floor. It would be a shame to spend money on an expensive epoxy coating only to have it peel off in a few weeks because you didn’t prepare your concrete floor properly. Concrete floors must be properly cleaned and prepped prior to epoxy application.
In order for an epoxy coating to stick, it needs something for the resins in the product to chemically bond with. Concrete dust, dirt, grease, and other contaminants must be removed from the surface of the floor so that there is nothing between the concrete and the epoxy resin.
How do you prep concrete before epoxy?
Prepping concrete before epoxy is very important. If you don’t, the epoxy won’t stick. The first step in preparing concrete for epoxy is to remove all dirt, dust, oil, and grease from the floor. You can use a broom and a wet/dry vacuum to get rid of all the debris on your floor. Next, you’ll want to etch (or acid-etch) the floor, which helps open up the pores in your concrete so that it can better bond with the epoxy.
After that’s done, you’ll want to fill in any cracks or chips in the floor with filler and sandpaper them down so they’re smooth. Once everything is nice and smooth again, add a primer coat of paint on top of your entire floor and let it dry completely overnight so that it’s fully cured before adding any other layers of paint on top of it. Finally! Now you’re ready to apply your chosen epoxy coating over top!
Can you level a concrete floor with epoxy?
The first step is to determine what kind of epoxy coating is already on the floor. Epoxy flooring can range in thickness, and the type you currently have will affect whether or not you’ll be able to put concrete over it. The usual types of epoxy are either 1/8 of an inch thick or 1/16 thick. If your epoxy coating is more than 1/8 of an inch, you cannot lay concrete over it.
If this is the case for you, removing the existing epoxy layer is essential before proceeding with a new layer of concrete. Otherwise, if there’s too much weight on top of the old flooring, your new layers likely won’t last long at all! You can rent a grinder from your local hardware store to scrape off the epoxy with ease.
If your current coat of epoxy is less than 1/8-inch thick, however, pouring a new layer of concrete over it should work just fine—though keep in mind that your new layer will only be as good as its substrate below!
Conclusion
Now that you know how concrete and epoxy work together, it’s important to remember not all concrete mixes are compatible with epoxy. Additionally, in some cases, concrete can be put directly over an epoxy coating if the proper preparation is done beforehand.
For example, in order to ensure there will be good adhesion between the two materials, it’s important to roughen up any existing smooth surfaces with a grinder or sander. It’s also helpful to know that when preparing for this type of project, using an epoxy mix made specifically for vertical applications can prevent sagging and other issues. By knowing the basic differences between types of concrete and epoxy mixes as well as understanding how they can work together, you’ll be ready for almost any DIY project that involves these versatile materials.
