
Is it time for new floors?
Whether you’re looking to stylize and upgrade the look of your home or resurface the floor of your business, epoxy floors are an amazing option. Not only are they super-durable and easy to maintain, but they also have a high-impact, highly-customizable glossy finish that can give any space an instant makeover.
But before you can enjoy your new epoxy floors, there’s one essential step you need to take. When you are installing epoxy flooring in your home or business, one of the most vital things to consider is the prep-work that must be done before the installation. This is crucial for ensuring that your epoxy floors will turn out looking their best and will last for years to come, because the preparation work will make or break how well it turns out once it’s finished being applied.
Prepping your floor ensures that:
- Imperfections are removed from the surface
- The floor is thoroughly cleaned
- Any damages are repaired before application
- Dust and debris are not present
Without preparing your floor you are going to encounter problems like:
- Bumpy surfaces
- Problematic cracks
- Uneven epoxy application
- Future floor damage
- Decreased durability
- and plenty more
So now that you know just how necessary preparation work is to successfully install your new floors, here are the top three epoxy floor prepping methods!
Shot Blasting
Shot blasting is an epoxy floor preparation method wherein a machine fires small metallic projectiles at the floor repeatedly. There are various styles and techniques for this, but machinery is a fundamental part of this method. This blasts away any stains or damages to the flooring, leaving behind a smooth and even surface. This method requires a decent amount of skill and knowledge, so it is more often used in industrial and commercial settings where heavy-duty epoxy coatings are required.
One of the advantages of shot blasting is that it does not create any hazardous dust, unlike other floor preparation methods such as sanding. This is the case because the machine itself captures the residue as it creates it, a much easier clean-up and a far safer option for both workers and occupants of the building.

Acid Etching
With this epoxy floor preparation method, you will pour an acid solution on top of the floor and proceed to work it across the surface with a scrubber, stiff bristle broom, or some other similar tool. The acid breaks down the floor’s top layer, creating a rougher surface that can more easily accept the epoxy material. Once the etching process is complete, you will need to neutralize the acid with a pH-balanced solution and rinse away any residue with a power washer. The entire process usually takes less than an hour to complete.
This epoxy floor preparation method is ideal for concrete floors that are in good condition but need a little extra leveling and roughening up to accept epoxy coatings. It is also a good choice for floors that have been damaged by spills or other chemicals, as the acid etching will remove any residual contaminants from the surface.
Diamond Grinding

Our final epoxy floor prepping method is diamond grinding. With this method you are going to use a floor grinder with the proper attachments to work with your floor. By grinding the floor with a side-to-side swaying motion, you can restore its bumpy or rough surface, giving it the smoothness it needs for a high-quality epoxy flooring. Like the shot blasting method, this also requires heavy-machinery and some skill to do. It is a more commonly used method for commercial and industrial settings, however, it can be done residentially.
Be sure to always keep your diamond grinder moving to avoid grinding circular rings and low spots into the floor. This could potentially make the installation much more difficult if the damage is bad enough.
Similar to acid etching, this process also leaves the remnants of flooring behind, which needs to be vacuumed up before applying your epoxy coating.
Conclusion
We can’t emphasize enough how essential it is to prepare your floors before you apply your epoxy coating. Whether your preferred method is shot blasting, acid etching, or diamond grinding, proper preparation will ensure that your epoxy flooring doesn’t encounter any severe problems and shorten its lifespan. Do your due diligence and you’ll also be able to achieve a much smoother and more professional epoxy floor finish.
Now that you know more about epoxy flooring, it is the perfect time to install it in your home or business with the help of Pro Concrete Design!
If you are interested in learning more, you can visit our website and click through our various information pages. For any questions, please feel free to contact us by phone at 816-356-6440 or send us an email here.
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