A professional floor coating should last years—sometimes decades. But when coatings fail, it’s almost always due to a handful of preventable mistakes. Utah’s climate adds its own challenges too: freeze-thaw cycles, concrete moisture, and heavy winter road salt can all cause issues if the surface isn’t prepared and coated correctly.
1. Not Prepping the Concrete Correctly
Proper prep is the foundation of a lasting floor.
If the concrete isn’t profiled, cleaned, and repaired correctly, no coating will bond long-term.
Typical mistakes
- Using acid etching instead of grinding
- Leaving dust or residue on the slab
- Coating over old paint or sealer
- Ignoring moisture issues
How to avoid it
Choose a contractor who uses diamond grinding, not acid etching. Professional grinding opens the concrete pores and ensures the coating locks into the surface.
2. Coating in the Wrong Temperatures
Epoxy, polyaspartic, and polyurea all have temperature limits. Utah’s spring and fall swings can cause unpredictable cure times.
What goes wrong
- Coating cures too slowly
- Bubbles or fisheyes appear
- Resin separates or doesn’t level out
How to avoid it
Professionals monitor slab temperature, air temperature, and humidity to ensure correct installation windows.
3. Using the Wrong Coating for the Space
Garage in full sun? Epoxy will amber.
Commercial shop with heavy equipment? A thin DIY epoxy won’t hold up.
Avoid mismatched systems
- Epoxy: Great indoors, not UV stable
- Polyaspartic: UV stable and flexible—best for garages, patios
- Hybrid: Strongest all-around system
Selecting the right product prevents yellowing, peeling, and premature wear.
4. Applying Coating Too Thin or Too Thick
Thickness matters for durability.
Too thin
- Wears down quickly
- Shows imperfections
- Chips easily
Too thick
- Traps air
- Causes curing issues
- Creates uneven texture
Pros use measured application rates to ensure consistent build.
5. Skipping the Moisture Check
Utah’s concrete can trap moisture—especially in basements and older homes.
When moisture pushes up from the slab:
- Coating bubbles
- Peeling occurs within months
- Staining or cloudy patches appear
Avoid it by
Testing for moisture before installation and applying moisture-mitigating primers if needed.
6. Poor Flake or Metallic Application
Decorative systems require technique.
Flake mistakes
- Bald spots
- Uneven broadcast
- Clumps
Metallic mistakes
- Streaks
- Harsh lines
- Missing visual depth
Professional installers understand timing, flow, and saturation.
7. Using DIY Kits for High-Traffic Areas
Most DIY kits are low-solids and thin. They look okay at first but wear down fast.
Common failures
- Tire pickup
- Hot-tire peeling
- Finish dulling within months
Garages, patios, and shops need commercial-grade coatings, not hardware store kits.
Get a Floor Coating Installed Right the First Time
Avoid peeling, cracking, and wasted money—let Utah’s experts install coatings built to last. Hermetic Coatings delivers durable, clean finishes with no-pressure quotes and proven results.
Request your free estimate today.