Epoxy floor coating removal

How to Remove Epoxy Floor Coating

The qualities that make epoxy floor coating useful also make it difficult to remove. If you want to renovate the driveway, garage floor or carry out repairs, you will need to remove the epoxy floor coating first. This can be a difficult and potentially risky process, so you need to take the necessary safety precautions.

How to Keep Yourself Safe

It is important you wear protective clothing, rubber gloves and rubber boots when working to remove epoxy coating from your floor. In addition to that, you must put on safety goggles, a cap and open both windows and doors to keep the area well-ventilated.

Method 1: Using Solvents

Epoxy coating is the product of a chemical reaction that occurs when epoxy resin and epoxy hardener are mixed. Therefore, chemical solvents can be used to remove the coating from your concrete surfaces. It is important to note, however, that this approach takes time and requires a lot of work on your part. Start by removing as much epoxy coating as possible using a scrapper blade or any other tool that can help with the process. Next, apply lacquer thinner sparingly onto the epoxy coating. Alternatively, you can apply acetone generously to the floor to remove the epoxy coating.

Method 2: Acid Wash

When dealing with acids or other corrosive chemicals, you should always take all the necessary safety precautions. Add 12 ounces of muriatic acid to one gallon of water and apply the mixture to the epoxy coating using a scrubbing brush. Let it soak for 15 minutes before sprinkling baking soda to the surface to neutralize the acid. Pressure-wash the floor to remove the acid wash, epoxy, excess baking soda any other by-product. If there is still some epoxy on the floor, repeat the process until the floor is clear of any epoxy.

Method 3: Using Floor Grinders

Floor grinders are incredibly effective in removing epoxy coatings from floors. You can rent one easily from a local equipment hire company. Be sure to choose grinders with diamond or carbide-tipped blades to effectively get rid of the epoxy. You may also need to use a hand-held rotary tool to remove epoxy from corners, edges and other hard to reach areas. Once you are done, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the epoxy coating debris from the floor.

If you are not comfortable working with power tools or dangerous chemicals, you should consider hiring a professional to help you out. Only licensed contractors with sufficient liability protection should be given any consideration. Remember to also compare the experiences of the top-rated contractors to identify the most competent service provider. Ideally, you should not be in a rush to commit yourself.

Proper disposal of chemicals is necessary. Once you have removed the epoxy coating from the floor, you need to throw the debris in the hazardous waste container for proper disposal. When you hire a licensed contractor to remove the epoxy floor coating, you will not need to worry about waste disposal.

Epoxy coatings provide a protective layer that is aesthetically appealing and durable. In some cases, property owners may apply a few millimeters on existing floors or an entire screed. In the latter case, it may be necessary to mix the screed with quartz sands to increase the mechanical resistance of the floor.

To understand how to remove epoxy floor coating for concrete floors, you should familiarize yourself with the installation process and the materials involved. The laying of epoxy resins is time-consuming as it takes about a week to settle. However, the results are usually impressive.

Meanwhile, under certain circumstances, the epoxy coating may be removed. The undertaking presents a considerable challenge because the resins bind with the surfaces of the concrete. Also, if the application of the epoxy coating is improper, the removal process will require the involvement of an experienced professional.

The removal process

If the work is done by a skilled professional, it will be completed faster. However, with patience, you can follow a few steps and remove the coating.

To remove the old coating, there are a few options :

The sander is one of them but it can damage the liner or even leave lines passing through the floor surface. The most recommended option is to use a tungsten blade scraper or industrial grinder.

Using the solvent

To achieve the best results with the solvent,you should buy a stripper that is specially designed to remove the epoxy resin. Also, dilute the product according to specific guidelines before applying it evenly using a mop. Make swirling motions to ensure adequate coverage of the entire floor.

Since the solvent generates substantial heat and fumes, you should ensure that the ventilation system is working properly. Additionally, cover your skin during the entire process and avoid direct contact with the chemicals. Puddles will appear on the floor as the coating dissolves. Once the coating begins pulling away from the concrete surface, you can scrape the dissolved resins. The scraper should have a long handle. Pour some water onto the surface to aid the removal of the coating residue. To achieve the best results, you may need to repeat the process.

Using a grinder or sander

A light floor sander or grinder can handle the removal of epoxy flooring. You may need to enlist the help of a skilled contractor to perform the task. The project needs delicate handling to avoid damaging the concrete. Epoxy floors can prove difficult to remove since they are resistant to wear and tear.

To maximize safety, wear protective gloves and glasses as the sanding and grinding generate a considerable amount of debris and dust. Use a grinder or shot blaster to strip areas of the floor with the epoxy coating. A sander is more effective when working on a thin layer of resin.

To ensure that the surface looks even, always grind in one direction. Remove the dust and debris from the working area as you move. Once you have removed all the epoxy resin from the surface, thoroughly clean the entire floor. You should spray water and clean with a broom or mop.

The floor should be free of dust and debris after completing the stripping. The concrete surfaces require acid etching in preparation for the re-coating process. Combine a water solution and muriatic acid to etch the floor. You can apply the solution by gently spraying the sanded areas.

Allow the acidic solution to sink into the concrete before rinsing with water. Once rinsing is complete, let the concrete surface dry for approximately 16 hours. A close inspection of the floor is a vital step that enables you to identify the appearance of any cracks. You may need to repeat cleaning or acid etching in some areas of the floor.

Epoxy floor coating removal-Hiring a Professional

There is no shame in hiring a pro to remove the epoxy from your concrete floor. This is a challenging project and sometimes requires help.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t do it yourself. There are several other useful options to strip epoxy from concrete.