Guide to Applying Epoxy on a Pebble Flooring
Certain places in your home can thrive with a rustic and natural look. The garage and patios are excellent examples of such spaces, and going for a pebble floor will help you achieve your objective. Typically, a pebble flooring comes as a stone flooring held together by special resins. It delivers a natural look while hiding multiple flaws that would be visible on an ordinary concrete floor.
Laying a pebble floor is quite straightforward and doesn't require the detailed knowledge needed for tiles and other floors. However, you need some guidance on binding epoxy resins to the pebble floor. Here is a piece that will take you through the essential steps:
Remove Debris
When applying epoxy on your pebble flooring, the first step is to remove dirt and other unwanted elements. If left unchecked, these elements will affect the strength of the bond between the pebbles and the epoxy resins. Use a bristled brush or broom to sweep loose debris from the flow, ensuring that nothing remains in the spaces between the pebbles. Proceed to wash the floor with a water solution and soap to remove stubborn stains and oils.
Deal With the Cracks
The next step of the process is to deal with any cracks on the floor. You can start by injecting a suitable sealant into small cracks to fill them. On the other hand, large cracks need a more extensive repair procedure, and a professional touch would be the best bet for you. When done, let the sealants or fresh concrete dry for a period of twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
Apply Your Epoxy Primer
When done with all the repair work on the cracks, the next step is applying the epoxy primer. The primer sets the foundation epoxy resins ensuring that they hold the pebbles firmly. Use a special brush to apply the primer and allow it to dry for one to two hours.
Mix the Resin With the Pebbles
There are many types of epoxy resins in the market. They include halogenated, aliphatic and Bisphenol epoxy resins. Each can be mixed with the flooring pebbles and spread evenly over the area for a uniform finish. Let your work dry for a day or more, depending on the prevailing weather. When dry, finish with a varnish coating to make the surface smooth. The coating also protects against chipping and slows down the rate of wear.
If your epoxy resins will be exposed to sunlight, consider using polyurethane sealants with UV protection additives. Talk to a flooring contractor to learn more about epoxy flooring.
