Why Epoxy Makes a Great Water-Resistant Floor Coating

For businesses in Toronto, selecting the right flooring is more than just an aesthetic decision—it’s crucial for long-term durability. With Toronto’s unpredictable weather, including heavy rain and snow, water-resistant flooring becomes a key consideration. Whether you’re managing a commercial space, a warehouse, or an industrial facility, protecting your floors from moisture damage is essential to avoid costly repairs and maintain a safe working environment.

Epoxy is one of the top choices for businesses seeking a durable, water-resistant floor coating. Known for its strong adhesion and long-lasting protection, epoxy can effectively safeguard concrete flooring from water, chemicals, and daily wear and tear. In this article, we’ll explore why epoxy is an ideal solution for businesses looking to upgrade their flooring with a focus on water resistance.

What is Epoxy Flooring?

Epoxy flooring is a high-performance floor coating made from a combination of resin and hardener that creates a durable, seamless surface when applied to concrete. Once cured, the result is a hard, glossy finish that not only looks professional but also offers exceptional protection against water and damage.

This type of flooring is commonly used in commercial and industrial settings due to its ability to withstand heavy foot traffic, machinery, and environmental challenges. Businesses across Toronto, from retail spaces to warehouses and manufacturing facilities, rely on epoxy for its durability, ease of maintenance, and resistance to moisture. With its versatile applications, epoxy is a solid choice for any business looking to extend the life of their concrete floors.

Benefits of Epoxy for Water-Resistance

One of the key reasons epoxy flooring is favored in commercial and industrial environments is its excellent water-resistant properties. Here’s why epoxy stands out when it comes to preventing water damage:

  • Non-Porous Surface: Epoxy forms a non-porous, impermeable barrier over concrete, meaning water and moisture cannot seep through. This protects the underlying concrete from cracks, erosion, and long-term damage.
  • Seamless Application: Unlike other types of flooring that may have seams, joints, or gaps, epoxy is applied as a continuous surface. This seamless nature eliminates places where water could collect or penetrate, further enhancing its water-resistant capabilities.
  • Chemical and Stain Resistance: Epoxy is not just water-resistant; it also stands up well against chemicals, oils, and other substances commonly found in industrial settings. This multi-faceted protection makes it an ideal flooring choice for businesses that need both durability and water resistance.
  • Low Maintenance: Water-resistant epoxy flooring is easy to clean and maintain. Since water doesn’t penetrate the surface, spills can be quickly wiped up without fear of mold or mildew growth, keeping the space hygienic and safe.

By offering strong resistance to water, epoxy flooring helps Toronto businesses avoid damage that can occur due to the city’s varied climate and industrial conditions.

Durability and Longevity in Commercial Spaces

Epoxy flooring isn’t just water-resistant—it’s also highly durable, making it a perfect fit for the heavy demands of commercial and industrial environments. Businesses in Toronto often deal with high levels of foot traffic, moving equipment, and environmental stressors, all of which can wear down traditional flooring. Epoxy, however, is designed to withstand these challenges.

  • High Traffic Resistance: Epoxy floors are incredibly tough and resilient, making them ideal for spaces that experience continuous foot traffic, heavy machinery, or equipment. Whether it’s a warehouse with forklifts or a retail space with customers, epoxy flooring holds up against significant wear and tear without showing damage.
  • Withstands Toronto’s Harsh Climate: Toronto’s climate poses unique challenges for commercial flooring. Winters bring snow, ice, and salt, which can erode concrete surfaces over time. Epoxy’s non-porous nature helps prevent water damage and resists the corrosive effects of salt, making it a reliable choice for businesses that need flooring solutions built to last through cold, wet winters.
  • Long-Term Investment: The durability of epoxy flooring means businesses won’t have to deal with constant repairs or replacements, making it a cost-effective investment in the long run. With proper maintenance, epoxy-coated floors can last for years, reducing downtime and maintenance costs, which are critical for any commercial operation.

Finding the Right Epoxy Flooring Contractor

For businesses looking to install epoxy flooring, finding a skilled epoxy flooring contractor is essential. Proper installation is the key to maximizing the water-resistant and durable properties of epoxy, so it’s important to work with a professional who understands the specific needs of commercial spaces.

  • Experience Matters: Choose a contractor who specializes in epoxy flooring for commercial or industrial applications. This ensures they are familiar with the unique requirements of businesses and can handle the challenges of large-scale installations.
  • Assessing Expertise: Look for a contractor with a proven track record of successful installations, especially in environments similar to yours. Whether it’s a high-traffic warehouse or a commercial kitchen, experienced epoxy floor contractors know how to properly prepare and apply epoxy for maximum durability and water resistance.
  • Ensuring Proper Preparation: A critical step in the epoxy application process is surface preparation. An experienced contractor will ensure that the concrete is properly cleaned, repaired, and primed, as this significantly impacts the longevity and water resistance of the finished floor.

By selecting the right epoxy flooring contractor, businesses in Toronto can ensure their flooring is installed correctly, maximizing its water-resistant and durable properties for years to come.

Is Epoxy Flooring Right for Your Business?

Epoxy flooring offers a range of benefits that make it an excellent choice for businesses in Toronto, particularly when it comes to water resistance. From its seamless, non-porous surface to its durability and ability to withstand heavy traffic, epoxy is an investment that pays off in both performance and longevity. For businesses in industries like retail, manufacturing, and warehousing, epoxy can provide peace of mind knowing that the floors are protected against water, chemicals, and daily wear and tear.

If you’re considering upgrading your flooring, consult with a professional epoxy flooring contractor to ensure the best possible results. With expert installation, epoxy flooring can provide your business with a long-lasting, water-resistant solution that keeps your facility safe, clean, and looking professional.

When To Worry About Cracks in Your Commercial Foundation

Like many Toronto-area homes, commercial properties can also suffer from cracks and water leaks in their foundations. This includes a wide range of structures such as schools, airports, shopping centres, churches, hospitals, factories, warehouses and restaurants etc.

When these types of commercial properties suffer from foundation cracks and other issues the most common types of repairs include the installation of steel piers, drilled piers, helical piers, commercial concrete pilings, wall anchoring solutions, push pier systems and custom-engineered specified designs.

Common Commercial Foundation Issues

Most foundation problems are the result of soil-related issues. These include things such as soil shrinkage, over-saturated soil, flooding, frequent temperature changes, the structure’s weight, plumbing leaks, poor drainage systems and gutter downspouts, loose soil and poor construction.

If you believe your commercial property has a foundation problem its a good idea to inspect the inside and outside of the building for signs such as: wall, slab or ceiling cracks; uneven or sloping floors; leaning or bowing walls; sticking windows and doors; chipping, flaking,crumbling, or sinking foundation; a shifting or moving foundation.

Unfortunately, cracks in the foundation can still occur even after preventative measures and leak-detection systems have been implemented. You may keep your gutters free and clear, have a sump pump installed and have properly graded the property from the foundation but still suffer from cracks.

Common Types Of Commercial Foundation Cracks

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There are two common types of commercial foundation cracks which can be categorized as horizontal/vertical, and shrinkage. With shrinkage, the cracks are usually found in buildings with poured concrete while horizontal/vertical cracks are typically caused by water or soil pressure. Foundation cracks can cause serious damage and both block and poured concrete foundations can crack since mortar and concrete shrink when they dry.

Most cracks originate in 90-degree corners of a structure and if you find any it’s recommended that you monitor them by measuring the width of a crack. If you notice the crack widening at one end it’s likely getting worse and if you find any cracks that measure half-an-inch or wider in width then you should seek professional help from a qualified contractor.

On the bright side, some cracks are just aesthetic in nature and don’t need to be treated. Angular cracks can often be found in the upper section of brick walls which have been directly laid on concrete foundations. Cracks can form in the upper levels of commercial buildings above doors, archways and windows and can be signs of settlement but are often just relief joints.

The size of the cracks can change when the temperature varies and you might be able to control them by using a humidifier in the winters and a dehumidifier during the summers. Hairline cracks are quite common in basement floors and usually only need to be inspected if they reach half-an-inch or more in width. They can often be filled in with urethane caulk or hydraulic cement.

Nusite Group Commercial Contractors

Nusite Group has been serving Toronto and the surrounding GTA for over 30 years.  We specialize in commercial waterproofing and foundation repairs.  Contact us today for a free on-site estimate and inspection.