From their bustling hallways to their classrooms, educational institutions are the backbone of society. With so many people walking through the halls every day the physical environment of a school plays a major role in creating a conducive learning environment. One often overlooked but essential aspect of maintaining this environment is the flooring.

While not all flooring options are up to the job, floor coatings are a great addition to school buildings. At Solid Garage Floor Coatings of Utah, we understand the important role flooring plays in these buildings. If you want to learn more about why floor coatings are the strongest, most reliable flooring option to install in your school buildings, keep reading. 

1. A Durable, Long-Term Flooring Solution

School buildings experience a great deal of heavy foot traffic throughout the day. While you might think carpet or tile is strong enough to withstand this friction, it can have a negative impact on your floors, leading to premature wear and tear. 

Unlike these floor options, floor coatings like epoxy or Polyaspartic, provide layers of protection that enhance the durability of the underlying floors. Not only will this extend the life of the floors but it will also reduce your need for maintenance, saving you money in the long run. 

2. Safer Flooring for Students, Staff, and Faculty

Ensuring the safety of the students, staff, and faculty in your school buildings is a major concern throughout the school year. When you install flooring options like tile in your school, you run the risk of dealing with major slip-and-fall accidents, which can be stressful for everyone involved. 

Floor coatings can be customized to provide slip-resistant surfaces, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. Additionally, coatings can include markings and colors to designate walkways, hazardous areas, and emergency exits, making your school safer for everyone who visits. 

3. Easy to Keep Clean

Cleanliness in school buildings is incredibly important, especially if you want to avoid dealing with the spread of disease through the winter months. In addition to dealing with disease spread, the floors in your school may also see a great deal of drops and spills, leading to time-consuming cleanings.

Unlike other flooring options, floor coatings create a seamless, non-porous surface that resists stains and is easy to clean. This means spills, dirt, and bacteria have fewer places to hide, making routine cleaning and disinfecting more efficient and effective.

4. Their Aesthetic Appeal

The appearance of your school buildings can significantly impact its atmosphere and the morale of its students, faculty, and staff. When you create a beautiful school environment that everyone can appreciate, you may notice a significant uptick in school pride from everyone who visits. 

Floor coatings are available in a variety of colors and finishes, allowing schools and universities to choose designs that align with their branding and create an inviting, vibrant environment. A well-maintained, visually appealing floor can enhance the overall learning experience.

5. Cost-Effective Solution

Not all flooring options are as cost-effective as you might think or hope, especially as you begin looking at higher-quality flooring products. However, by investing in a floor coating for your school buildings, you can achieve the high-quality floors you’ve been hoping for.

Floor coatings, on average, cost $5 to $7 per square foot. In addition to their lower cost, floor coatings are less likely to require frequent repairs or replacements, leading to substantial savings on maintenance and renovation costs. 

6. Environmentally Friendly Flooring

If you are trying to achieve a more eco-friendly school, you might not realize that your flooring plays a role in achieving this goal. However, when looking for flooring solutions, you may find that some safer options aren’t your most eco-friendly choice and that floor coatings may be a better option.

Many floor coatings are formulated with environmentally friendly materials and processes. Choosing eco-friendly coatings can contribute to a school’s sustainability goals by reducing the environmental impact of maintenance activities.

7. Customizable and Flexible for School Buildings

When choosing flooring for your school buildings, it is important to think about the unique needs of each space. The floors that work well in your cafeteria or science labs probably aren’t the best flooring for your school library, and vice versa. 

Unlike some flooring options, floor coatings can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different areas within your school. This flexibility ensures that each space is optimally suited to its purpose, enhancing functionality and safety for everyone who uses these spaces.

The Best Floor Coatings for Your Northern Utah School Buildings

If you are interested in installing floor coatings in your school in Northern Utah, turn to our team at Solid Garage Floor Coatings of Utah. For years, we’ve installed floor coatings in a variety of residential and commercial spaces, making us the best choice for your upcoming flooring project as well. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about scheduling to install a floor coating in your school buildings or if you have any questions, contact us today!

Concrete floors are a popular flooring choice for homeowners who want a sleek, modern appearance while maintaining durability and versatility. However, while these floors are incredibly durable, they are not infallible and may experience damage over time. One common issue that can affect your concrete floors is efflorescence. 

If you’ve never installed concrete flooring before, you might not be familiar with what efflorescence is and how it will impact your floors. Not only is it unsightly, but it may also indicate larger problems with your concrete floors. If you want to learn more about why you might be dealing with efflorescence and how to prevent it, keep reading.

What is Efflorescence and What Causes It? 

Efflorescence is a white, powdery substance that may appear on the surface of concrete, brick, or stone. It forms when water moves through the concrete, bringing soluble salts to the surface. As this water evaporates, it leaves the salts behind, creating the characteristic white deposit. You may deal with efflorescence both indoors and outdoors, especially in spaces with high humidity or in locations where the concrete may be exposed to moisture regularly. 

There are several reasons why you may be dealing with efflorescence. If you’ve been dealing with this on your concrete surfaces, it may be due to:

• Water Solubility: If salts dissolve in the water that is present within the concrete or surrounding environment, you may deal with this white, powdery substance.
• Water Source: When water penetrates the concrete surfaces across your home, it may dissolve these salts. Common sources of this salt include rain and groundwater. 
• Evaporation: While concrete is porous, water may begin to evaporate from the surface. As it evaporates these surfaces, it may leave the patches of salt behind. 

Does Efflorescence Cause Problems?

While you might initially think that this salt deposit is primarily a cosmetic problem, it may be an indication of an underlying moisture problem within your concrete. As you ignore this problem, it can become more substantial, leading to issues with the integrity of your concrete floors over time. Some problems associated with these deposits include: 

• Aesthetic Concerns: The streaks and patches of white deposits present across your concrete floors can significantly impact the appearance of your concrete floors, making them look aged and dirty. 
• Moisture Issues: If you’ve cleaned your floors and these salt deposits appear again, this might be a sign of excessive moisture within the concrete. Persistent moisture in your concrete can lead to further damage to your floors, including spalling and, in more severe cases, mold growth. 
• Surface Damage: In some cases, the salt on the surface of your concrete floors can lead to minor surface degradation. However, this is often more common with brick or stone materials.

Can You Remove It? 

If you are already dealing with efflorescence on your concrete floors, you might be concerned about its long-term effect on the appearance of your floors. However, you can clean this off of your floors, restoring their appearance. If you want to clean your floors, consider the following steps: 

1. Dry Brush Your Floors: First, you will want to use a stiff brush to remove any loose powdery deposits across the surface of your floor. This is most efficient for cleaning your floors if you are dealing with minor salt deposits. 
2. Rinse with Water: If brushing isn’t enough to address these deposits, you should rinse the surface with clean water and scrub it with a brush. Afterward, you should make sure you dry the area thoroughly, preventing repeat efflorescence.
3. Use a Vinegar Solution: When water and a scrub brush aren’t enough to remove these deposits, try scrubbing the surface with a 1:1 vinegar and water solution, and then rinsing with clean water. This solution can be used to dissolve the salts. 
4. Try Commercial Cleaners: Finally, if none of the steps above have been enough to address the efflorescence, consider investing in a commercial cleaning solution. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure your floors look their best after its use. 

How Can You Prevent It? 

Preventing efflorescence involves controlling the sources of moisture and ensuring proper installation and maintenance of your concrete floors. Some of the best ways to prevent these salt deposits include: 

Proper Installation 

Ensure your concrete is mixed, poured, and cured correctly. This includes using the right water-to-cement ratio and allowing sufficient curing time to reduce the likelihood of excess moisture.

Good Drainage

Ensure proper drainage around your concrete floors, especially in outdoor areas. This includes grading the ground away from the concrete surface and installing effective drainage systems to redirect water.

Moisture Barriers

Use moisture barriers or vapor retarders underneath concrete slabs to prevent ground moisture from rising through the concrete. These barriers are especially important in areas with high water tables or poor drainage.

Maintenance

Regularly inspect and maintain your concrete floors. Address any cracks or areas where water might be seeping in, and reapply sealants as needed to maintain the waterproof barrier.

Ventilation

For indoor concrete floors, ensure good ventilation to reduce humidity levels. This can help prevent moisture buildup within the concrete.

Floor Coatings

After the floor is installed, you should consider installing a floor coating, like a Polyaspartic or polyurea coating. These coatings create a solid barrier between your floors and moisture, protecting you from the formation of these salt deposits. 

Avoid Damage to Your Concrete Floors in Ogden, Utah

If you are ready to install a floor coating in your home to prevent efflorescence, reach out to our team at Solid Garage Floor Coatings of Utah. For years, we’ve provided the most reliable floor coatings to homes and businesses across the Wasatch Front. Whether you’re looking for Polyaspartic, polyurea, or epoxy floors, our team is here to help you find the perfect coating for your space. If you would like to schedule a floor coating installation or if you have any questions about the services we provide, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

Investing in a floor coating is a great way to protect untreated concrete floors. However, these floors require precise cleaning to ensure they look their best for their expected lifespan. But how do you clean your epoxy floors to avoid unnecessary damage or premature wear and tear? 

Our Solid Garage Floor Coatings of Utah team understands how important it is to maintain the beautiful appearance of your epoxy floors. However, your cleaning attempts may do more harm than good without proper education. If you have recently invested in a new coating and want to clean your epoxy floor, keep reading to see what cleaning methods our team recommends incorporating into your routine. 

Understanding the Importance of Cleaning Your Epoxy Floor Coating

When you choose to invest in an epoxy coating, you might not realize how important cleanliness is for maintaining the appearance and integrity of your floors. While epoxy is an incredibly durable flooring material, often boasting chemical, stain, and abrasion resistance, it is not infallible. If it doesn’t get the appropriate care it needs, dirt, dust, and other grime may begin to degrade the coating prematurely.

By implementing a regular cleaning schedule, you remove any corrosive or staining substances that may mar its appearance, allowing it to maintain a glossy finish. Additionally, as you clean your epoxy floor coating, you remove any substances that may lead to slips and falls. When you clean your epoxy floor regularly, you can prolong the life and performance of your coating, ensuring the longevity of your investment for years to come. 

How to Clean Your Epoxy Floor

1. Sweep Regularly

One of the easiest ways to clean your epoxy floor and maintain its beautiful appearance is by remembering to sweep regularly. There are a few broom options you can use to clean your floors, including a soft bristle broom or a commercial dust mop. You should use this broom to remove any dirt, dust, and debris from your floors at least once a week. However, you may need to sweep more often if this is a high-traffic space, as this dust and debris may otherwise lead to scratches and scrapes across the coating.  

2. Mop Up Spills

While your epoxy floor coating is stain-resistant, you should not allow spilled substances to sit on the surface. Some spilled substances, such as abrasive cleaning agents and acids, are abrasive enough to eat through the coating. If you want to clean your epoxy floor coating and ensure the coating is wearing out evenly, mop up spills immediately. By cleaning them immediately, you remove them before they have the chance to degrade the coating, protecting yourself from premature patching. 

3. Use Appropriate Cleaning Agents

As we mentioned above, some cleaning agents are abrasive enough to degrade your epoxy coating, even well before it reaches the end of its expected lifespan. When you clean your epoxy floor, it is essential that you use a pH-neutral cleaning solution to avoid this degradation. These cleaning solutions are strong enough to remove any built-up debris without stripping away layers of your epoxy. After you’ve mopped, make sure to rinse with clean water to remove any lingering cleaning solutions. 

4. Rinse Twice When Necessary

Although mopping and rinsing your floor once is enough to remove debris, that isn’t always the case. In some cases, you may need to mop your floors more than once to remove any debris, dirt, and dust adequately. While it can be frustrating to have to clean your floor more than once, it is an important part of maintaining the appearance of your coating. If the debris is significant enough to require multiple cleanings, take the necessary steps to remove this mess. 

5. Be Mindful When Pressure Washing

As you prepare to clean your epoxy floor, you may consider pulling out a pressure washer. While this can be an efficient way to clean your floors, it is important that you do so mindfully. Using excessive pressure on your floors can result in damage to the coating. If you choose to use your pressure washer to remove debris, make sure that your water pressure doesn’t exceed 1,000 PSI. You should also avoid using pulsating or rotating nozzle heads and holding the device too close to the floor.  

6. Apply Acetone to Tough Stains 

If there are spots on your floor that won’t go away, no matter how much you clean them, it might be time to break out the acetone. Used in small doses, this can be aggressive enough to remove the toughest stains. However, it is important that you don’t overuse it, as it can harm parts of the coating that aren’t stained. As soon as you have treated the staining, wipe away the excess acetone and rinse the area with clean water. 

The Most Reliable Epoxy Floor Coatings in Ogden, Utah

If you have been considering investing in an epoxy floor coating for your home in Ogden, Utah, turn to our team at Solid Garage Floor Coatings of Utah. For years, our team has provided the most reliable epoxy and Polyaspartic floor coatings for a variety of spaces. Whether you want to improve the appearance of your garage or unfinished basement or you want to install an easy-to-clean floor coating in your commercial space, we can do it all. If you want to learn more about our floor coatings or you have more questions about how to clean your epoxy floor, don’t hesitate to contact us today.