Specialty Commercial Flooring Solutions

Waterproofing Membrane System (30-40 mils)

Waterproof membranes are monolithic, flexible, and abrasion-resistant smooth flooring systems designed for areas requiring a combined water protection membrane and wearing surface. The system is typically used in mechanical rooms, computer rooms, above-grade restrooms, washrooms, and other areas requiring waterproofing. Waterproof membranes can be applied under any of the other flooring systems to make them waterproof options. Can be used as a basecoat with means to prevent movement or cracking in other flooring systems from minor substrate hairline/micro cracking. By embedding fiberglass mat into the wet membrane, it can be used to pre-treat larger cracks.

Urethane Sealers (3-4 mils/5-15 mils)

Urethane sealers are two-part clear or three-part pigmented high-solids floor coatings. Urethane sealers are applied as the final step to increase the chemical, abrasion, UV, and stain resistance and long-term color retention. Urethane sealers will increase the performance, durability, and life of a floor coating. There are several types of urethane sealers: aliphatic polyurethane (3-4 mils), aliphatic urethane (3-4 mils), water-based polyurethane (4-6 mils) and polyaspartic urethane (5-15 mils). Solvent-based urethane sealers provide glossy or semi-gloss finishes, and waterborne urethane provides a matte finish. Solvent-based urethanes are typically used in light- to heavy-traffic areas where light reflectance, UV, abrasion, and chemical resistance to spills are required.

ESD

Conductive electrostatic dissipative epoxy coating system. This system is used to conduct and dissipate static charges that may cause sparks or an electric arc in environments where such events cannot be accepted and could be detrimental or devastating. The system is designed to distribute electrostatic control properties to a variety of substrates in the area through the coating’s nanoparticles and carbon filaments, delivering the charge to grounding plates, rods, and tape embedded into the coating. The coating and primer work in conjunction to maintain electrical conductivity throughout the entire thickness of the system. Generally consists of primer, ESD primer, and ESD topcoat. If used on a previous epoxy floor or mortar, an epoxy primer or grout coat will be required.

Crack Filling

Industry professionals will acknowledge that concrete is going to move and it’s going to crack over time. Although there are some new products and technology being offered for new concrete installations to prevent cracking & movement, they are expensive and long-term results are to be determined. Outside of the new products, there are no foolproof methods to prevent such events from occurring, only methods to limit and conceal prior and future cracking. Substrate cracks are treated in a variety of ways, which are dependent on crack appearance, potential for movement, the flooring system being installed and the aesthetic requirements of the customer. Treating cracks can be somewhat challenging and not foolproof, as many customers want to hide and not highlight cracking. The customer will have to weigh the options of aesthetics and functionality/performance vs. the probability the cracks may move in the future. General options consist of epoxy paste wiping, routing and filling with semi-rigid material, routing and packing with mortar, or using crack-bridging membranes. We will address cracks and treatments with you to ensure they are handled properly for your needs and wants.

Joints & Sealants

To ensure new floors don’t fail at the substrate’s joints, all joints are honored and recut through the new flooring and filled prior to the last coating or sealer. In some cases, the joint may be cut after the final coatings to allow complete function and performance of the joint sealant. A variety of joint sealants are used for the different types of joint sizes, uses, and environmental conditions, as well as the amount of movement the joint may undergo. The joint sealants have a variety of different properties such as shore hardness, flexibility, elongation and compressive strengths, thermal expansion and chemical resistance. Proper joint treatment is an important factor that, if not handled properly or dismissed, can lead to failing floors, curling joints that create maintenance and cleaning problems, product contamination, and safety issues within a facility. Even properly installed joints may appear to be cracking under a coating or sealer, but this is most likely the joint functioning and working correctly to flex and move with the movement and expansion/contraction of the substrate.

Moisture Treatments (15-125 mils)

One of the most common causes of failures in the flooring industry is osmotic/moisture vapor transmission. After a floor has been sealed off by a new flooring system, the vapor pressure can no longer escape to ambient air through the slab’s surface and begins to build pressure under the flooring system. This can lead to formation of bubbles of water, delamination, and floor failures. To avoid potential problems, proper moisture testing is completed before the floor installation. If results show moisture is present, a primer may be upgraded to a moisture-tolerant primer. If test results are more severe, it will require the use of a urethane mortar system to treat vapor transmission. On-grade substrates that do not have a vapor barrier, those that are very old and may have deteriorated vapor barriers, or newly poured slabs that haven’t cured long enough are generally at the highest risk. Ambient conditions need to be stable and humidity levels controlled to get accurate test results. Without those factors, many test results will show presence of moisture in the substrate and require the upgrade to proper treatments to maintain warranty coverage against these issues. Third-party testing can be used to verify test results, as the costs associated with upgrades are high.

Sloping/Pitching/Leveling

For customers who need to alter floor elevations, level depressed areas, or control liquid flow through floor pitching, we offer multiple solutions. We can use resinous or cementitious products to create or add sloping, raise/level the floor, or help reduce the variation to provide a more level floor. To ensure water flow is accomplished, pitch needs to be ~1/4” per foot toward the drain or low point. Less than ¼” will require squeegee assistance in most cases. Sloping is often used in kitchens, restrooms, or wet production areas in which water/liquid needs to be diverted to drains. This type of work can be used in a wide range of applications and can be customized to fit the customer’s needs.

Trench Repair/Rebuild

For customers who have severely damaged substrates from chemical attack, heavy abuse or years of neglect, allow us to create solutions that will solve your dilemma. We can use resinous products to fix flooring issues and situations that many would declare unsalvageable. To avoid these situations, be sure to address and correct floor issues upon noticing the damage or wear early, as putting it off will likely lead to more expensive & complex repairs. Correcting these issues is expensive and can be time-consuming, but is generally a cheaper and faster solution than ripping out and replacing concrete, which is detrimental to production schedules. It is important that proper planning and accurate schedules are worked out, especially for active production areas, as these situations are not always quick in-and-out projects.