Many people ask us, “Can you epoxy a basement floor?” & How to epoxy a basement floor?”.
The basement is among the least visited rooms in a house and that is why it is neglected the most. Also, people use it as a store room so they don’t really care about it much. But lately, there has been a trend of people transforming their basements into a “Mancave” or a “Gameroom” or just another spare bedroom. Due to this, people are looking to transform their basement rooms. The first thing they do is change/upgrade the flooring of the residential basement.
Years of negligence caused the concrete floors to crack and scratch. Also, water leakage and moisture cause the development of mold and mildew on the concrete basement floors. The scratch and cracks on the floor cause the room to look ugly and the mold causes a certain smell in the room. So, in order to avoid that people are looking for other basement flooring options.
Many people are choosing Epoxy floors as the solution to their basement flooring problems. Epoxy floor coating is the best solution because it is durable, strong, water resistant, helps avoid molds, and, most importantly, is super easy to clean. Also, installing epoxy on the basement floor is a DIY project. These are among the few reasons to choose Epoxy flooring for your basement. People are hiring professional flooring companies to transform their basements. However, some people like to do it themselves. The DIY Epoxy basement floor installation process is easy and consists of a few easy steps. You will need some materials and equipment before you can start the process. Any kind of experience in a DIY project is going to be a great help.
Regarding epoxy for basement floors, there are generally three types of epoxy coatings commonly used. They are:
Water-based epoxy is popular for basement floors due to its low odor, ease of application, and relatively quick drying time. It consists of a water-based resin combined with a hardener. It is environmentally friendly because it has low levels of VOCs(Volatile Organic Compounds). Also, it can be easily cleaned with soap and water, making it easily maintainable. Usually, water-based epoxy cures within 24 hours.
Solvent-based epoxy coatings are known for their durability, chemical resistance, and high gloss finish. They consist of a resin mixed with a hardener that contains solvents. Solvent-based epoxy provides a rugged and durable surface that can withstand heavy traffic and impacts. It is highly resistant to chemicals and stains, making it a perfect basement choice. It usually takes longer to cure, generally around 48 to 72 hours.
Solid epoxy, or 100% solid or pure epoxy, is a high-performing coating option for basement floors. It is called “solid” because it contains no solvents or water, unlike water-based and solvent-based epoxy coatings. Instead, it consists of 100% epoxy resin and hardener, which helps in providing a dense and durable finish. It provides long-lasting protection for basement floors. It can create a glossy and reflective finish that enhances the basement floor’s appearance. Also, it is chemical resistant and moisture resistance, making it a suitable choice for basement flooring. Hence, you can use these epoxy coatings for DIY epoxy basement floor installation.
Before learning how to epoxy a basement floor diy, you need to know the materials required for applying epoxy to the basement floor. The materials needed are:
There are some simple steps you need to follow to successfully carry out DIY Epoxy basement floor installation. Each step is explained carefully and in detail. The steps for DIY epoxy basement flooring are as follows:
First of all, clear out everything before applying epoxy to the basement floor. The entire room and the floor must be empty in order to proceed with the application process. Take everything out from the room to a different room and make sure it is empty. Now next step is to clean the room. Use a broom to sweep all the dust and dirt from the room. Properly sweep the room and take out all the dust.
The next step is to properly vacuum the floor to take out any other residue on the floor. Remember, dust and dirt make it difficult for the epoxy to bind with the concrete floor. Now, properly wash the area with water and mop it to clean the floor fully. Now after mopping the floor, use a dry mop and dry out the floor. Ensure that the floor is super clean and then we can proceed.
The next step in the DIY Epoxy basement floor installation process is prepping the basement floor for epoxy. This step is very important because applying the epoxy coating for basement floor on an unprepared surface will result in irregularities and other issues. Years of dragging Heavy furniture across the basement and old machines may have caused several cracks on the floor surface. The basement concrete floor needs to be properly etched so that the floor can have a proper grip with the epoxy solution.
You can use several concrete floor prepping techniques to prep the floor. We can use methods such as diamond grinding, shot blasting, or acid etching to etch the concrete surface. Use protective gears while proceeding with this process. The acid-water solution is sprayed which further opens up pores on the surface and helps to improve the binding power of the epoxy and floor. Properly prepping basement floor for epoxy to be applied later and have a super strong binding power. Now we move on to the next step of the DIY Epoxy Basement floor installation process.
The epoxy solution must be prepared and mixed before applying epoxy to the basement floor surface. In this step, we properly mix the solution of epoxy coating for the basement floor. We generally use a 2 Component kit A&B for flooring. Epoxy isn’t readily available. Everyone has to mix it up after you buy it.
As we all know, Epoxy coating is formed by making a mixture of Epoxy resin and Epoxy hardener. Epoxy coating is a very thick solution. Now we have to properly stir and move the solution for a while so that it mixes properly. Use a drill and a mixing paddle for around 3-5 minutes and that should do the job. After using a drill and mixing paddle for that long, the solution of epoxy coating for basement floor should be properly mixed and ready to use. Do not leave the epoxy for too long after mixing it.
The next step in the DIY Epoxy basement floor installation process is to apply the mixture that we just prepared. The mixture is ready to be applied to the basement floor. As it was said earlier, do not leave the solution for too long after mixing it up. They typically have a short span of around 25-30 minutes so you have to move fast. Use the paintbrush to apply the mixture all over the basement floor. Epoxy coatings are thicker and heavier than normal paint so it may not glide as easily. Use a roller to evenly spray the coating throughout the floor. Dividing the basement floors into several sections will make it easier for you to epoxy the floor. Use the extension handle for areas where your hands cannot reach. Use nap roller covers to spread the epoxy coatings evenly. Make sure all the spots on the floor are evenly covered. Once ensured, this step is complete. Now we move on to the next step of the DIY epoxy basement floor installation process.
This is a very simple yet very responsible step. All you have to do is leave the floor alone for the night. Sounds simple but it is not. You have to make sure that the perimeter is secured. Also, you have to make sure that nobody steps on it during the night. So, keep your kids from running through the recently coated floors. Also, make sure that no dirt, hair, or any other things fall on the surface. It should be left alone for at least 24 hours before we can work on it again.
This is the final step in the DIY epoxy basement floor installation process. After the floor has been dried overnight, we can finally work on it again. Some people like to stop at this point but We highly recommend proceeding with this step. Applying a clear top coat over the base coat of epoxy will ensure additional durability and offer more resistance. The best thing about applying a clear top coat is that it provides a shiny and glossy finish to the floor. Due to these additional features, applying a top coat is highly recommended. After applying the top coat over the epoxy coating, we just let it dry for additional 2-3 days, and we are good to go. Hence, these are the steps to epoxy basement floor diy.
Also Read: DIY Epoxy Garage Floor Tutorial
So, these were the simple steps for the DIY epoxy basement floor installation process. You can follow these steps and learn how to epoxy basement floor DIY. These steps are simple and can be easily followed. Let the epoxy floors cure for 2-3 days before putting back the furniture inside the basement. A lot of people are opting for having an Epoxy basement floor due to various reasons.
I think this blog was able to give you helpful insights and tips on how to epoxy a basement floor with some simple DIY Epoxy basement flooring tips. These steps are doable by you without any prior experience of it. But hiring an experienced Epoxy flooring company will make the job even easier for you. You will get the best results and super satisfaction from a professional Epoxy flooring company.
CALL US for any kind of Epoxy Basement flooring services or Basement floor transformation services.
Yes, you can easily epoxy the basement floor by following these 6 steps:
1. Cleaning the surface of a basement
2. Preparing the floor for epoxy coating
3. Mixing the epoxy solution
4. Applying the first coat of epoxy
5. Let it dry for 24 hours
6. Using a top coat over the base coat for protection & shine
The epoxy coating cost for a basement depends on factors such as basement size and type of epoxy used. The average price is $3.15-$12 per sq. ft.
The benefits of epoxy flooring in a basement are:
• It is waterproof and mold resistant.
• It can be cleaned and maintained easily
• It is super durable and strong
• It provides a stunning finish
• It reflects light which makes the basement bright
The installation process of the epoxy basement floor can be finished within two days.
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