Anyone who has spent some time applying epoxies has come across this all toο familiar picture. Little pinholes visible on the surface caused by bubbles in the epoxy floor.
These pinholes are caused by air bubbles formed in the epoxy coating during the application process. Some people mistakenly assume that they appear later once the floor has cured. This is wrong, bubbles in epoxy floor are formed during the curing process.
Repairing bubbles once cured is very difficult (or nearly impossible without needing to re-coat). Therefore the entire strategy for avoiding bubbles will need to fall on prevention of air bubbles in the epoxy floor.
After many years of heartbreak, I have come to identify the key factors that can lead to the formations of bubbles in epoxy floors. Some of these I learnt the hard way, meaning that I encountered a cured floor with bubbles and needed to explain to the customer. And therefore I now make sure that most possible causes of bubbles have been eliminated before applying the epoxy coating.
If you are not much of a reader, you can watch this video. Otherwise scroll down and learn about the 7 causes of bubbles!
Substrate Related Issues causing Bubbles in Epoxy Floor
1. Porous slab
This is perhaps the largest cause of bubbles. No two concrete slabs are the same. When you apply a high build epoxy coating, the slab must properly sealed with primer. If you find that the slab has absorbed the primer, you should a second coat of primer.
Porous slabs are tricky in the sense that some bubbles appear and you run the spiked roller over them to burst them. You leave the project site thinking that all air bubbles have burst, and about an hour they start to re-appear!
At this stage it is impossible to go back and fix the problem since the coating is already curing. Therefore add an extra coat of primer as an insurance. This is much cheaper than having to re-coat a high build epoxy that could run your costs up significantly.
2. Presence of humidity and moisture
Humidity can cause many types of problems on epoxies like delamination or blistering. But it can also cause bubbles when the epoxy reacts with the water. Make sure that you are applying on a dry slab. If in doubt conduct moisture tests on the slab to make sure that the slab is dry.
I have become a huge proponent of water based epoxy primers as they are able to capture some moisture (Let me emphasize some moisture, don’t assume that water based epoxies are the solution to all your moisture problems)
3. Expansion of the concrete slab can cause bubbles in epoxy floor
This is a tip I only learnt recently after exchanging thoughts with some of my peers on Linkedin. Concrete slabs will change temperature throughout the day. In the early morning slabs tend to be more humid and cold. Later on in the day they warm up, the slab expands and moisture is released into the atmosphere.
Therefore you should avoid applying epoxies early in the morning as the slab will warm up throughout the day and that could lead to air being released and bubble formation. Apply around 12 noon, when the slab is already warmed up.
Application Related Problems
4. Sloppy work
Sometimes bubbles in epoxy floors are due to sloppy work or simply poor preparation. If you are going to apply a self leveling epoxy you must have spiked shoes and spiked rollers with you.
Bonus Tip: always have a spare roller on hand. You never know when it can go wrong. You can get your spiked rollers here
When applying the coat, make sure that the entire surface has been rolled over and properly inspected for emerging bubbles. Also look out for edges and corners.
These areas tend to collect a lot of bubbles and they are not as visible when applying the coating. Shadows, object and reflections may obstruct your view. Good lighting is essential for avoiding bubbles.
5. Excessive solvent
Some contractors like to add a thinner to the epoxy to enable the product to flow better (and also to get a few extra square metres per pack!). However solvents do evaporate from the screed and they leave little pinholes in their wake.
Most of these bubbles will burst on their own but there will always be a few that will not. Therefore if you need to add a thinner keep it to an absolute minimum. There is a reason why high build epoxy coats are sold solvent-free.
In the video below, I share a few epoxy disasters related to solvents and bubbles.
6. Fast mixing can cause bubbles in epoxy floor
When mixing the two parts of an epoxy system some staff like to use a high powered mixer to get the mixing done quicker. High powered mixing though will lead to more bubbles emerging.
Therefore use an adjustable speed mixer and mix at a low speed at around 300rpm. It is better to mix for two minutes at 300 rpm than 30 seconds at 1500 rpm. Tip: Let the product settle for a few minutes before pouring it on the floor.
(for more information on epoxy mixing mistakes read this article here)
Product Quality Reasons
7. Poor product quality
With many low quality low cost products flooding the market, low cost manufacturers are looking for creative ways to lower their costs. One way is to reduce or eliminate the additives that contribute to defoaming of the product.
Another trick is to add all types of solvent in order to bring down the cost. If you are working with an unknown product conduct your tests first, as you could be in for a nasty surprise
So now its your turn. What are your experiences with bubbles in epoxy floors? Have you identified any causes of bubbles that I have not listed above?
Akis Apostolopoulos
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