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Troubleshooting

Why Concrete Coatings Fail: Epoxy Delamination, Polyaspartic Peeling, and …

Concrete coating failures are among the most frustrating and costly issues contractors face on both residential and commercial projects. From garages and factories to retail spaces and warehouses, the expectation for a visually appealing, durable surface clashes with the reality that coatings often don’t last as long as promised. Problems …
  • Systems Guide

    Surface Solutions for Data Centers …

    You can’t drive through the Southwest right now without seeing it, massive data centers going up, semiconductor facilities expanding, and major infrastructure projects reshaping entire markets. Phoenix, Las Vegas, and surrounding regions have become major hubs for hyperscale data centers and advanced chip manufacturing, and that growth is only accelerating. …
  • How-To

    Preventing Amine Blush: Curing Epoxy …

    Spring and summer weather can be challenging for flooring contractors, with high humidity and fluctuating temperatures creating tough conditions for epoxy installations. These environmental factors often lead to a chemical reaction known as amine blush. This greasy, cloudy film mars the appearance of a fresh epoxy floor and weakens the …
  • How-To

    Mastering Contaminated Concrete Slabs for …

    Anyone in the business of concrete floor coatings has a story about a slab that seemed routine until, weeks or months later, the floor began to bubble or peel. Most contractors have faced the headache of tracing these failures back to a hidden patch of oil, old adhesive, or a …
  • New System

    Introducing SLABKRETE™ SLB System – …

    The SLABKRETE™ SLB System is a high-performance urethane cement, slurry broadcast flooring system engineered for industrial, institutional, and controlled-environment facilities. Built on a SLABKRETE™ 100 FS urethane cement slurry base with selectable topcoat technologies, the system delivers durability, chemical resistance, moisture tolerance, and long-term hygienic performance across demanding environments. Recommended Uses The …
  • New System

    NEW! SLABHARD® AeroShield System for …

    Star Step Performance Coatings Group introduces the SLABHARD® AeroShield System, a mission-ready resinous flooring solution engineered specifically for military aircraft hangars and aviation maintenance facilities. Designed to withstand the extreme demands of defense-sector environments, the AeroShield System delivers a seamless, chemically resistant surface capable of enduring static aircraft loads, aggressive …
  • How-To

    Remove Old Coatings Right the …

    For professional installers, a new flooring project often begins with an old problem. Existing coatings or adhesives on a concrete slab present one of the most common and critical challenges in surface preparation. Improper removal can lead to adhesion failure, delamination, and costly callbacks that damage your bottom line and …
  • Project Planning

    The Spring Moisture Trap

    Why Condensation, Dew Point, and Testing Create So Much Confusion for Concrete Coatings and Flooring Spring is one of the busiest seasons for concrete coatings and industrial flooring work, and it is also the season when moisture confusion causes the most delays, disputes, and unnecessary system changes. Floors look damp with …
  • Project Planning

    Spring Construction & Coatings Trends …

    Spring remains the busiest time of year for commercial and industrial flooring, concrete coating, and deck projects. In 2026, the way teams plan and execute these projects is changing in measurable ways. Instead of reacting when spring demand hits, more facility managers, contractors, and property owners are planning earlier, tightening …
  • Project Planning

    Designing Food & Beverage Floors …

    Food and beverage facilities face operational pressures unlike any other industrial environment. Floors endure hot water sanitation cycles, thermal swings, corrosive cleaning chemistry, constant moisture, mechanical vibration, heavy impact, rolling traffic, and near-constant environmental exposure. In modern facilities, the floor is no longer simply a wear surface—it has become a …
  • Project Planning

    Are Floors Becoming Critical Control …

    Environmental Monitoring Programs (EMPs) have become one of the most important tools in modern food safety. As testing sensitivity has increased and trending has become more sophisticated, facilities now have clearer visibility into how microorganisms move, survive, and persist in the plant environment. And one pattern appears consistently across nearly …
  • New System

    NEW! SLABHARD® AutoShield System for …

    Desert Polymer Flooring (DPF) is introducing the SLABHARD® AutoShield System, a new resinous flooring solution within the SLABHARD® product brand. Engineered for automotive and vehicle-service environments, the SLABHARD® AutoShield System provides a durable, chemical-resistant flooring configuration designed for concrete exposed to heavy traffic, petroleum-based fluids, and daily mechanical wear. The system …
  • Business Development

    Form and Function: Flooring Options …

    In retail, showroom, and public environments, the floor is more than a surface. It is an active design element that defines how a space feels and performs. From the first step inside a store or lobby, flooring communicates brand quality, cleanliness, and professionalism. It shapes the acoustics of the environment, …
  • Project Planning

    Built for the Real World: …

    Anyone who manages or installs flooring in automotive or light industrial environments knows the pattern. A floor looks great when it goes down, but after a few months of hot tires, fluid spills, and heavy equipment traffic, the perceived failures start showing up. Peeling around drains. Staining in the bays. …
  • Business Development

    From Residential to Commercial: Preparing …

    If you’re in the residential coatings market, you’ve probably already noticed it — the slowdown. Fewer calls are coming in, bids are quieter, and sales that used to close in days are now dragging out for weeks. In key regions like Las Vegas and Palm Desert, the housing market has …
  • Material Types

    Working Smarter in Winter: Cold …

    For contractors in the desert Southwest, winter work rarely stops — but the conditions shift in ways that directly affect project outcomes. Cold overnight temperatures, condensation at dawn, and unheated spaces like garages or breezeways all influence how epoxy, urethane, and polyaspartic flooring systems perform. Knowing how to adapt in …
  • Project Planning

    Contractor Guide to Pool Deck …

    October and November aren’t just about the holidays — they’re also prime planning months for casinos, resorts, and hospitality venues preparing for the busy winter and spring seasons. One area that often tops the list? Pool decks. For casinos in particular, the pool experience is a major draw for guests. That …
  • Downloadable Resources

    Floor Evaluation & Prep Guide

    Every great coating project starts with knowing what you’re working with. The right evaluation and prep steps can prevent adhesion failures, costly rework, and frustrated clients. This easy-to-use guide gives you quick answers to: How to identify the correct concrete surface profile (CSP) Which repair method to use for cracks, spalls, …
  • Material Types

    When Epoxy Isn’t Enough: Choosing …

    Some jobs demand more than a high-performing epoxy. In warehouses, food processing facilities, manufacturing plants, and hangars, failure isn’t just inconvenient—it’s costly, dangerous, and disruptive. While epoxy is a solid choice for many commercial spaces, basic epoxies simply aren’t engineered for extreme environments that are exposed to constant abuse from extreme …
  • Downloadable Resources

    System Selection Guide for Extreme …

    Flooring That Holds Up Where Others Fail Working in a demanding industrial or commercial environment? You can’t afford guesswork when it comes to floor coatings. Hot wash-downs, forklift traffic, chemical exposure, and aggressive cleaning can destroy conventional systems—fast. Our System Selection Guide for Extreme Environments was built to help you avoid those …
  • Downloadable Resources

    Guide to Avoiding Failures in …

    Why Coatings Fail—And How to Stop It Before It Starts When coating systems fail in demanding environments like warehouses, production facilities, or aircraft hangars, it’s more than just inconvenient—it’s costly, dangerous, and disruptive. From delamination and cracking to chemical damage and vapor blistering, most failures can be traced back to a …
  • Project Planning

    Do You Really Need a …

    Concrete moisture is one of the most underestimated and misunderstood risk factors in floor coating projects. While the surface might look dry and sound underfoot, hidden moisture within the slab can destroy even the most advanced floor systems—leading to delamination, bubbling, discoloration, and total failure. In fact, studies estimate that …
  • Project Planning

    Best Floor Coatings for High-Traffic …

    Top Solutions for Warehouses, Showrooms & Retail Environments In high-traffic commercial environments, floors are more than just a design element—they’re a critical part of daily operations. Subjected to everything from forklift traffic and heavy footfall to chemical exposure and frequent cleaning, commercial floors must withstand intense wear while preserving both safety …
  • Troubleshooting

    Concrete Coatings Installation Issues: A …

    Concrete floor coatings contractors know that achieving a smooth durable finish can sometimes be challenging depending on a variety of factors. It’s important to have basic troubleshooting knowledge and an understanding of common problems so you can quickly resolve any issues that arise in the field. In this guide, we’ll …
  • Contractor Quick Tip

    Seamlessly Fix Flake Floors with …

    Want to know the best method for repairing flake floors with light spots or misses? SLABSEAL 35 is the perfect solution! SLABSEAL 35 not only fixes flake floors, but also enhances their durability and resistance to wear and chemicals. Follow these simple steps to make a seamless repair: 1️⃣  Apply a Light …
  • Contractor Quick Tip

    Top 5 Resources for Concrete …

    Looking for the support you need to get the job done right? These 5 must-have resources provide the tools, knowledge, and expert guidance to keep you on track and ahead of the curve on every project. 1️⃣  The Concrete Network – Surface Prep Guides & Tools This site is packed with concrete …
  • Business Development

    Master The Grind & Seal …

    Looking to master the grind-and-seal finish with SLABSEAL 200? Check out these expert tips: First Coat Prep: Use gloss or semi-gloss for your first coat. Reduce the primer by 50% with water and apply at 400-450 sq. ft. per gallon for smooth coverage.   Topcoat Application: For topcoats, reduce by 10-20% with water …
  • Project Planning

    7 Mistakes to Avoid When …

    Planning your projects with care is essential to delivering exceptional results and avoiding costly mistakes. A well-structured process not only helps you sidestep common pitfalls but also ensures customer satisfaction and protects your business's reputation. To help you succeed, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the most frequent and …
  • Project Planning

    Shifting Towards a Culture of …

    It’s no secret that safety often takes a backseat on many concrete coating job sites. Despite working with caustic chemicals, flammable solvents, and hazardous materials, it’s all too common for contractors to bypass protective equipment, proper ventilation, or other essential safety measures. Whether it’s due to time pressures, costs, or …
  • Business Development

    Part 3: Crafting Effective Ads: …

    As we delve into the final installment of our three-part series on thriving in the concrete coatings industry, let’s focus on the last piece of the puzzle, successful advertising. Part 1 and Part 2 have laid the foundation by exploring the core principles and strategies of excellent customer service and …
  • Business Development

    Part 2: Building Brand Trust: …

    Welcome back to the second installment of our three-part blog series, where we delve into proven methods for enhancing business success as demonstrated by leading concrete coatings firms. In Part 1, we discussed the foundational importance of customer service. Now, in Part 2, our attention turns to another crucial aspect: …
  • Business Development

    Part 1: Mastering Customer Service: …

    In recent years, with the persistent rise in inflation and soaring costs across various sectors such as fuel, food, utilities, construction supplies, there’s been a noticeable constriction in spending. For contractors specializing in concrete floor coatings, this tightening can sometimes translate to a slowing of sales or a drop in …
  • How-To

    Mastering Surface Preparation for Successful …

    When it comes to concrete coating applications, the saying "proper preparation prevents poor performance" couldn't be more accurate. Surface preparation is the first step in a successful coating system, ensuring longevity, durability, and optimal performance. There are various ways to prep a concrete floor but the proper method in any project …
  • How to Develop an Employee Training Program
    Business Development

    How to Develop an Employee …

    Looking to build a strong company that is ready for expansion and success? While there are various strategies to achieve this objective, investing in an employee training program stands out as one of the most advantageous steps you can take to bolster your business. The development of such a program …
  • How to develop a service offering
    Business Development

    How to Develop a Service …

    WHY DO I NEED TO DEVELOP A SERVICE OFFERING? When you’re establishing a concrete floor coatings business, there are numerous factors to take into account. Your focus might revolve around identifying a reliable supplier, acquiring the necessary equipment and tools, and determining your pricing structure. However, before delving too deeply into …
  • 10 Tips for New Concrete Coatings Contractors
    Business Development

    10 Tips for New Concrete …

    Starting your journey as a concrete coatings contractor? It’s important that as you begin, you’re working with guidelines that are based on contractor experience and rooted in sound business practices so you can avoid common pitfalls and start out right.  In this article we explore the 10 tips for New …
  • 3 Tradeshows for Concrete Contractors to Attend
    Business Development

    Tradeshows for Concrete Coatings Contractors …

    Whether you are at the early stages of your journey as a concrete coatings contractor or an experienced professional with a proven track record of successful projects, trade shows serve as a valuable resource to elevate your performance. Attending trade shows can offer a variety of benefits for individuals and …
  • Due Diligence

    The Power of a Clear …

    When it comes to garage floor coatings, homeowners want both functionality and aesthetics that can withstand the test of time. As a garage floor coating contractor, one of the most effective ways to gain a competitive edge in the market is by providing your customers with a clear and concise …
  • Material Types

    What’s The Difference Between Polyurethanes …

    Polyaspartics and polyurethanes may seem very similar, but despite their shared performance properties there are some subtle differences that may impact your material choices for a given project. Both chemistries offer excellent chemical and abrasion resistance and good UV stability, however, there are variations of performance that are important to …
  • Material Types

    When to Use Urethane Cement …

    Over the past 25 years urethane cement flooring systems have become the flooring system of choice for several of the most demanding applications. They have replaced flooring systems based on Epoxy, Vinyl Ester and MMA chemistry because they possess several properties that make them far superior to other systems. They …
  • Project Planning

    What is The Best Test …

    Concrete moisture remains the number one reason for flooring failures and therefore, moisture testing and/or mitigation strategies are always recommended to ensure a successful installation. But what are the methods of testing and are they reliable? Here are a the most common testing methods: Hand-Held Moisture Meters Contractors often ask if hand-held …
  • How-To

    How To Select the Proper …

    Using the correct diamond tooling will dramatically improve your efficiency and jobsite success, but how do you know which ones to choose for specific jobs? The following is a guide to help you make the diamond tooling choices for your project. DIAMOND BOND BASED ON CONCRETE HARDNESS Selecting the proper bonding for …
  • Project Planning

    The 5 Steps of Successful …

    Ask any jobsite manager in the concrete coatings industry how to ensure a smooth installation and they will likely tell you that proper planning has a lot to do with success. As the old adage goes, “By Failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Don’t leave your jobs to …
  • Project Planning

    Planning Concrete Flooring Projects Around …

    In the fall and winter season, inevitably, cooler and sometimes freezing temperatures become a reality on the jobsite. These environmental conditions can wreak havoc during installation if proper precaution and planning is not addressed early on. In addition to cold temperatures, humidity and heat that is common during summer months …
  • Material Types

    Are Polyaspartics Better Than Epoxy?

    If you work with resinous-based floor coatings, you’ve probably heard it before; Polyaspartics outperform epoxies and are the “gold standard” for protection and performance. The idea that polyaspartics are better than epoxies is quite common in the garage floor industry and for end-users. This is likely due to consistent and …