In Michigan, freeze-thaw cycles, snowmelt, and high humidity mean garage floors face constant moisture challenges. But many 1-day coating companies skip the critical first step in moisture mitigation: applying a 100%-solids epoxy floor coating primer before laying down a polyaspartic floor coating.
Michigan Moisture: The Enemy of Long-Term Durability
Concrete naturally absorbs moisture from below the slab, especially in climates like Michigan’s where ground moisture varies throughout the seasons. When installers rush to apply polyurea or polyaspartic floor coatings directly to concrete without a moisture-mitigating coating, the consequences include:
- Trapped moisture vapor creating high hydrostatic pressure
- Subsequent bubbling, blistering, and peeling
- A weak mechanical bond between concrete and primer coat
- Voided warranties that exclude moisture-related failures
Manufacturers like Sika, General Polymers, and Corotech recommend testing for moisture and applying a slow-curing, moisture-mitigating epoxy primer before using fast-curing polyaspartics.
Industry Standards Support Epoxy Primers
Organizations like ASTM International, ACI, and ICRI all highlight the same best practices:
- Test concrete for moisture before applying coatings
- Prepare the slab to proper Concrete Surface Profile (CSP) standards
- Use a 100%-solids epoxy floor coating as a moisture vapor barrier primer
Polyureas and polyaspartics cure far too quickly to bond deeply with porous concrete. Only a properly installed moisture-mitigating primer coating ensures lasting adhesion and prevents premature coating failure.
Garage Floor Coating of Michigan: We Do It Right
At Garage Floor Coating of Michigan, we don’t cut corners to finish in one day. Our 2-day system starts with a thick, 100%-solids, moisture-mitigating epoxy primer to control moisture and protect your floor. Then we install dual 100%-solids polyaspartic floor coatings as topcoats—creating a floor that lasts season after season.
We back our work with a true warranty, including protection against all moisture-related issues that most 1-day companies exclude.
Choose long-term protection. Choose Garage Floor Coating of Michigan.