How Long Do Epoxy Floors Last?

On average, Epoxy floors will last between 10 to 20 years although this can vary depending on a wide variety of factors. While high foot traffic, sunlight, and chemical exposure can negatively reduce the lifespan of your epoxy floors, regular cleaning and proper maintenance can potentially increase the lifespan to even longer than 20 years. If you want to learn more about how long epoxy floors last, we've covered the 8 biggest factors you'll need to consider.

Heavy foot traffic can cause wear and tear over time. Continual foot traffic can lead to scuffs and scratch marks on the flooring. Whilst epoxy flooring is strong and can stand up to wear and tear, over time you might still eventually start to notice wear patterns or deterioration. More foot traffic than the flooring can handle might reduce its lifespan.

Chemicals, including those found in typical household cleaners, can be damaging for epoxy floors. If you spill cleaners, oil, or paint on your floor it can affect your floor so you should clean it as soon as possible. Spills of chemicals that you don’t address promptly may cause damage and limit the lifespan of epoxy flooring.

The cleaning and maintenance techniques you use can affect your floor. Harsh cleaning chemicals and products containing vinegar or citric acid can be damaging to epoxy. Diluted ammonia is the most appropriate substance for cleaning an epoxy floor – using inappropriate cleaning methods means you might need to replace your flooring more quickly.

Installing epoxy flooring yourself can mean it doesn’t perform as well as with a professional installation. You might not have the right knowledge and skills to lay the floor correctly, and this can mean the floor doesn’t last as long as it should. Always using professional installation services can help to prolong the life of your epoxy flooring.

The ideal thickness of an epoxy coating depends on what the floor is used for. When it’s too thin the floor can quickly become damaged and might need to be replaced sooner. If it’s too thick it might look uneven and untidy. Getting the thickness right is crucial for ensuring the floor performs well and is durable.

The topcoat helps to protect the floor and preserve its colour. A poor quality topcoat can mean the surface peels and flakes away or the floor becomes discoloured and unsightly. You might need to replace the flooring sooner as a consequence. A good quality topcoat is essential for preserving your floor and helping it to last longer.

Your underflooring also has an impact on the longevity of epoxy. It’s important to always prime the floor before adding epoxy. This helps the epoxy to adhere to the floor better and reduce the risk of bubbles forming. If you don’t properly prime your underflooring your epoxy flooring won’t look as good and might not last as long due to poor adhesion.

Exposure to sunlight can also impact your epoxy floor. UV light can cause permanent damage, including discolouration and a breakdown of the coating. Protecting your epoxy from exposure to sunlight is essential to preserve it. If your flooring has had significant exposure to UV rays it might not last as long and you might be more likely to need a replacement.

If you're not sure whether it's time to replace your epoxy flooring, here are some signs to look out for:
 

• The floor is starting to show wear and tear with lots of scratches and scuff marks.
  
• There are cracks or chips in the surface.
  
• The coating has started to peel or flake away.
  
• The colour has faded or changed over time.
  
• Chemicals and cleaning agents are taking their toll.
  
• The floor feels slippery when wet.
  

Not only do chips and cracks in an epoxy floor look unsightly, but they can become a hazard too. This is why it's important to get your epoxy floor repaired as soon as possible. But don't panic, this process is easier than most people realise. In fact, it's as simple as applying an even layer of compound to the epoxy floor to fill in all the gaps.

To ensure your epoxy floors last as long as possible, follow these tips:
 

• Create a schedule to routinely inspect the flooring and carry out any necessary repairs or maintenance.
  
• Ensure the required quality topcoat is applied over the initial coating.
  
• Use chemicals with care and always neutralize them before cleaning if they are incompatible with your coating material.
  
• Install correctly so there are no overlapping seams between pieces of flooring that haven't been properly adhered together.
   

Our expert team here at Fraser Coast Waterproofing have years of flooring experience and can help you to install and keep your epoxy flooring in top shape. Contact us today to book an appointment.