Moisture Under Epoxy Floors: Signs, Simple Tests, What To Do
Don't apply another layer of epoxy if you think there may be moisture under the epoxy floor...
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Pourla Epoxy Floor Coatings
Stop settling for dusty, stained concrete. Upgrade to a premium, hot-tire resistant epoxy floor system that looks as tough as it performs.
Industrial-Grade Floor Coating Systems
Epoxy Floor Coating
High-Performance Epoxy Primer | Clear Moisture Barrier for Strong Floors
Price range: $109.00 through $199.00
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Epoxy Floor Coating
2:1 Top Coat Epoxy Resin For Floor Coating 3 Gallon Pack
$139.99
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Epoxy Floor Coating
UltraShield Polyaspartic Top Coat 2 Gallon Kit
$194.99
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Floor Coating Tools
Industrial & Residential
Professional Epoxy Floor Coating Systems
Pourla epoxy floor coating systems help you build a durable epoxy floor for garages, basements, and commercial spaces. Choose a primer for bond, an epoxy top coat for value, and a polyaspartic top coat when you want faster return-to-service and better UV stability.
Choose Your Epoxy Floor Coating System
Use this quick guide to pick a complete epoxy floor coating system based on your project timeline, budget, and environmental conditions.
Most Floors
Garage, basement, light commercial- 1. Epoxy Primer (bond layer)
- 2. Epoxy Floor Top Coat (color/flakes)
- 3. Polyaspartic Top Coat (final protection)
Primer improves bonding; epoxy builds thickness and appearance; polyaspartic helps with faster return-to-service and better UV stability.
Indoor / Budget
Minimal sun exposure / Flexible timeline- 1. Epoxy Primer
- 2. Epoxy Floor Top Coat (as your topcoat)
A classic epoxy floor system that can be highly cost-effective for indoor areas that don't receive direct sunlight.
Flake System
Light / medium / full broadcast- 1. Epoxy Primer
- 2. Epoxy Floor Top Coat (broadcast flakes)
- 3. Seal coat: Epoxy or Polyaspartic
Broadcast flakes into the wet coat, then seal it with a clear top coating for strong intercoat bonding and easier cleaning.
Fast Turnaround
Garage, shop, storefront / Sun exposure- 1. Epoxy Primer
- 2. Epoxy Floor Top Coat (as build coat)
- 3. Polyaspartic Top Coat (final)
Polyaspartic is commonly chosen when you want faster return-to-service and improved UV stability vs epoxy alone.
Build A Professional Floor With A Simple Project System
Before starting your flooring project, it's important to choose a top coat that matches your needs.
Epoxy top coat is a popular choice for indoor areas. It provides a smooth, durable finish and is more budget-friendly, but it takes longer to cure and is sensitive to UV light, which can lead to yellowing over time.
Polyaspartic top coat is designed for faster turnaround and tougher conditions. It cures within hours and offers much better UV stability. It holds up well in garages, commercial spaces, and areas with temperature changes.
In simple terms, epoxy works well for indoor projects with flexible timelines, while polyaspartic is the better option when you need speed, durability, and long-term UV stability.
Achieve a solid, long-lasting floor with 3-layer system
Step-by-Step Guide
This is a high-level workflow for planning your epoxy flooring project. Exact instructions must follow each product label/TDS and your jobsite conditions.
1
Evaluate the slab
Check for moisture/vapor issues, old sealers, oil contamination, spalling, and cracks. Fix what must be fixed before you coat.
2
Prep the concrete
Degrease, remove weak material and existing coatings, then mechanically grind to expose clean, porous concrete. Vacuum dust thoroughly.
3
Mask and plan your pour
Tape edges, protect walls/doors, and stage tools. Plan your mix batches based on pot life so you can keep a wet edge and avoid lap lines.
4
Apply Epoxy Primer
Prime the slab to improve bonding and help your system build evenly. Apply at the recommended rate and respect the recoat window so the next layer bonds properly.
5
Apply your build coat
Apply your epoxy coat evenly and back-roll for uniform thickness and appearance. Work in manageable sections and maintain a consistent roller pattern.
6
Broadcast flakes (optional)
While the coat is still wet and within working time, broadcast flakes to the coverage level you want. Spiked shoes help you move through wet coating safely.
7
Seal with your topcoat
Finish with either Epoxy Top Coat or Polyaspartic Top Coat. Apply within the correct recoat window for best intercoat bonding.
8
Cure and return to service
Allow proper cure before foot traffic, vehicle traffic, and heavy loads. Temperature and humidity can change cure speed—follow the product guidance.
Note: For the best performance, the concrete surface should be clean and structurally stable, with a minimum tensile strength of 150 psi (per ASTM C1583). The substrate should have a moisture vapor emission rate (MVER) of up to 25 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. per 24 hours (11.3 kg per 92.9 m²). Most epoxy floor failures come from surface prep and moisture. If unsure, test before you buy.
Learn More about Epoxy Flooring
Want to go deeper on epoxy floor prep, system selection, and troubleshooting? Explore the articles below to learn how to choose the right epoxy floor coating and avoid common failures like peeling, bubbles, and soft cure.
14
Feb
10
Feb
Why Epoxy Floor Peels: Top Causes and How to Fix It
Epoxy floor peeling, also called delamination, happens because the epoxy is bonded to a weak layer instead of solid and cl...
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06
Feb
Epoxy Floor Prep Checklist: Grind vs Acid Etch, Cleaning, Cracks
For a durable epoxy floor, your concrete needs to be (1) structurally sound, (2) free of oils/contaminants, (3) properly...
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FAQ - Epoxy Flooring Projects
Do I really need an epoxy primer?
In most concrete floor systems, a primer is the "bond layer" that helps your
coating grab the slab. It can improve adhesion, help reduce common failures (peeling/hot-tire
pickup), and make your top coat lay more evenly. If your concrete is properly prepped, primer is
usually cheap insurance.
Epoxy top coat vs polyaspartic top coat — which should I choose?
Epoxy top coat provides a smooth, durable finish and is highly
budget-friendly for indoor areas with minimal sunlight. However, it takes longer to cure and is
sensitive to UV light. Polyaspartic top coat cures within hours, offers superior UV stability
(won't yellow), and is the best choice for garages, storefronts, and areas with temperature
swings.
Can I use flakes with either topcoat option?
Yes! You broadcast the flakes directly into your wet Epoxy base coat. Once
that layer is dry, you can seal the flakes in using either a clear Epoxy Top Coat or a clear
Polyaspartic Top Coat, depending on your budget and UV protection needs.
What's the #1 reason epoxy floors fail?
The leading causes of epoxy floor failure are poor surface preparation and
hidden moisture in the concrete slab. If the concrete isn't mechanically profiled (ground down
to expose pores) or has a high Moisture Vapor Emission Rate (MVER), the epoxy will eventually
delaminate or peel.
How do I know if my concrete has sealer or contamination?
Perform a simple water test. Pour a small amount of water onto the slab. If
the water absorbs and turns the concrete dark, it is likely porous. If the water beads up on the
surface, there is a sealer or oil contamination present that must be removed via mechanical
grinding before applying any epoxy.
Do I need spiked shoes?
Yes. Spiked shoes are essential when applying floor coatings. They allow you
to walk safely onto the wet epoxy to back-roll the coating for an even finish, or to evenly
broadcast your color flakes without leaving large footprints in the wet resin.
How much material do I need?
Material coverage depends heavily on the porosity and profile of your
prepared concrete slab, as well as the desired thickness (mils) of the coating. Always consult
the specific Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for your primer and top coats to calculate the exact
square footage requirements for your project.