1. The Critical Need for Slip Resistance and Sanitation

In many commercial and industrial settings—from food processing plants and restaurants to hospitals and manufacturing lines—flooring is not just about durability; it's about **preventing workplace accidents** and **maintaining public health compliance.**

Standard smooth concrete or poorly sealed floors are breeding grounds for bacteria and a high-risk liability for slips and falls. North King Epoxy engineers seamless systems that are both highly hygienic and feature a customized **Coefficient of Friction (COF)** to meet safety regulations.

2. Customizing the Coefficient of Friction (COF)

The Importance of COF

The COF is a measurement of the friction between two surfaces (in this case, a shoe and the floor) and is the standard metric for slip resistance. We don't rely on a one-size-fits-all solution; we customize the texture based on the operational needs:

• The Aggregates: We introduce aggregates—tiny particles of glass, aluminum oxide, or plastic—into the topcoat layer.
• Controlling Texture: By varying the size, density, and material of the aggregate, we can precisely control the final surface texture, creating textures that range from a fine, sandpaper-like finish to a coarse, studded profile needed for continuous wet processing areas.

This customization ensures compliance with industry safety standards (such as OSHA or WSIB guidelines) without compromising the floor's ability to be cleaned.

3. Creating a Seamless, Hygienic Barrier

The second core requirement for environments like commercial kitchens, breweries, and labs is **hygiene**. Seamless epoxy and urethane systems are inherently superior to tile or uncoated concrete:

Eliminating Grout Lines and Pores

Unlike tiled floors, our monolithic systems have no grout lines, which are notorious for harboring bacteria, mold, and pathogens. The finished coating is **non-porous** and completely seals the concrete, preventing liquids, oils, and biological material from penetrating the slab.

Coving and Vertical Integration

For high-sanitation areas, standard floors are insufficient. We integrate **coving**—a seamless curve where the floor meets the wall—to eliminate the 90-degree corner. This prevents standing water and debris collection at the wall base, making the entire room easier to sanitize and mandatory for most food service regulations.

4. Selecting the Right Anti-Slip System

The necessary system depends on the level of risk:

5. Your Partner in Compliance

Installing a specialized anti-slip or hygienic floor is a technical process that involves far more than simply applying a topcoat. It requires meticulous preparation, moisture mitigation, and the correct resin selection (epoxy, Novolac, or Urethane Cement) to ensure the system withstands the harsh cleaning and chemical regime of your business.

North King Epoxy works with facility managers and business owners throughout the GTA to deliver certified, custom-textured floors that enhance safety, reduce liability, and comply with all public health and industry standards.

1. The Myth of "Coating Over" Damage

Many clients ask if epoxy will simply cover minor damage like small cracks or spalling (surface flaking). While epoxy is thick, it is not a structural repair material. Attempting to coat over unstable, damaged concrete will result in **reflective cracking**, where the movement of the old concrete telegraphs through the new coating, causing it to fail.

At **North King Epoxy**, our promise of a 25-year floor includes comprehensive concrete restoration. After diamond grinding, all structural flaws must be addressed using specialized repair compounds before any resin is applied.

2. Addressing Cracks: Static vs. Active

The first step in crack repair is determining if the crack is static (not moving) or active (likely to continue moving due to temperature, settling, or moisture).

Static Cracks (Most Common in Garages/Basements)

Static cracks are typically hairline or minor movement cracks that have stabilized. Our method for static cracks:

• Widening/V-Grooving: The crack is widened and deepened slightly using a diamond cutting wheel to create a clean, angular reservoir.
• Filling: The groove is filled with a high-strength, rapid-curing **polyurea** or **epoxy paste**. These materials are rigid and designed to stabilize the area permanently.
• Grinding Flush: Once cured, the filled crack is ground flush with the surrounding concrete, creating a seamless, uniform surface for the epoxy base coat.

Active Cracks and Expansion Joints

Active cracks (often seen in outdoor pads or near large load-bearing walls) cannot be rigidly fixed. Expansion joints (designed to move) must never be coated over. We use flexible polyurea joint sealants to allow for movement while protecting the joint from moisture and chemical intrusion.

3. Fixing Spalling, Pits, and Holes

Spalling (flaking/chipping) and pits are common damage points caused by road salt, freezing cycles, and heavy impact. These areas must be stabilized and leveled.

• Preparation: The damaged, loose concrete is completely removed during the **diamond grinding** phase until only solid, healthy concrete remains.
• Repair Mortars: Deep pits and holes are patched using an **epoxy mortar**—a mixture of high-strength epoxy resin and fine aggregate (sand). This creates a patch that is often stronger than the original concrete.
• Feathering: The mortar is feathered out to blend seamlessly with the floor, eliminating any noticeable dips or bumps beneath the final epoxy system.

4. Structural Reinforcement: Crack Stitching

For large, wide cracks that indicate potential structural instability, **crack stitching** is required. This involves:

• Cutting perpendicular slots across the crack every 12-18 inches.
• Inserting **steel staples** (often rebar or specialized stitching plates) into the slots.
• Filling the entire crack and slots with a high-performance epoxy injection compound.

This technique locks the two sections of concrete together, ensuring the movement stops and the integrity of the slab is restored before the coating process begins.

1. The #1 Enemy of GTA Concrete: Road Salt

The biggest threat to any garage or commercial floor in the Greater Toronto Area is the aggressive use of de-icing salts. When sodium chloride (road salt) is tracked into your garage by your vehicle, it doesn't just damage the surface; it causes accelerated deterioration of the unprotected concrete.

Salt water penetrates the porous concrete, crystallizes inside, and puts immense pressure on the slab, leading to **pitting, flaking, and spalling**. A professional epoxy system is the only way to create an impermeable, chemical-resistant barrier that permanently stops this salt corrosion cycle.

2. Understanding the Freeze-Thaw Cycle

The GTA climate is defined by drastic temperature swings, often crossing the freezing point multiple times in a single week. This **freeze-thaw cycle** is devastating to unprotected concrete:

• Penetration: Water penetrates porous concrete during mild periods.
• Expansion: When the temperature drops, the trapped water freezes, expanding by about 9%.
• Cracking: This constant expansion/contraction cycle weakens the concrete internally, leading to widespread cracking and structural failure.

Our 100% solids epoxy coating seals the concrete completely, preventing water infiltration, thereby eliminating the destructive impact of the freeze-thaw cycle on the underlying structure.

3. Local Installation Challenges (Temperature and Humidity)

Applying high-performance resins in a climate like Toronto requires specialized expertise and equipment. Epoxy cure times and adhesion properties are highly sensitive to ambient conditions:

Any contractor ignoring these climate-related factors is guaranteed to deliver a system that fails prematurely. **North King Epoxy** is certified in climate-controlled application protocols designed specifically for Southern Ontario.

4. The Role of Polyaspartic in a Canadian Winter

We often use Polyaspartic as our topcoat because it is superior for handling the Canadian climate:

• Chemical Resistance: It provides superior resistance to the aggressive mix of salt, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride used on our roads.
• Thermal Stability: It maintains its structure and flexibility across a massive temperature range, reducing the risk of cracking during extreme cold.
• **Faster Cure:** Its rapid cure time minimizes the exposure window of the resin to fluctuating air temperatures and humidity during installation.

1. The Post-Cure Window: The First 7 Days

Congratulations on your new floor! The resin is cured enough to walk on, but the coating is still chemically hardening. This initial period is critical for maximizing its lifespan:

• **Foot Traffic:** Usually permitted after 24 hours.
• **Light Use:** Usually permitted after 48-72 hours (e.g., placing light furniture).
• **Vehicle Traffic / Heavy Loads:** Avoid driving on the floor for a full **7 days (168 hours)** minimum. This allows the resin to achieve maximum chemical resistance and hardness.

Crucial Rule: Do not clean the floor with any harsh chemicals for the first 30 days to ensure the complete curing process is undisturbed.

2. General Residential Cleaning (Garage & Basement)

One of the main advantages of our seamless epoxy/polyaspartic systems is their ease of cleaning. Since the surface is non-porous, dirt, oil, and grime sit on top, making them simple to remove.

The Simple Maintenance Routine (Weekly/Bi-Weekly):

The best tools for routine cleaning are non-abrasive and pH-neutral:

1. Sweep/Blow: Use a soft-bristle broom, commercial dust mop, or a leaf blower to remove dust and debris. This prevents fine grit from being ground into the surface by foot traffic.
2. Mopping Solution: Use a simple mixture of warm water and a **pH-neutral cleaner** (like simple dish soap or a mild floor degreaser).
3. Rinsing: It is important to rinse the floor with clean water afterward, especially in areas where soap residue might collect.

3. Removing Difficult Stains (Oil, Rust, Chemicals)

The chemical resistance of our Polyaspartic topcoats protects against almost any common household or automotive spill.

4. Chemicals and Products to **Never** Use

Using the wrong chemical will damage your floor's protective layer, dulling the finish and potentially violating your warranty. **Strictly avoid**:

• Acidic Cleaners: Vinegar, citric acid, or any cleaner with muriatic or phosphoric acid will etch and dull the epoxy/polyaspartic finish.
• Abrasive Tools: Steel wool, abrasive powders, or hard-metal scrapers can permanently scratch the surface.
• Soap-Based Cleaners: Avoid cleaners that leave a heavy film (like many floor waxes), which can attract dirt and cause the floor to become slippery.
• **Bleach:** While usually fine in small, dilute amounts, frequent use of straight bleach can degrade certain types of topcoats over time.

5. Commercial Maintenance & Long-Term Care

For large commercial spaces (warehouses, showrooms):

• **Auto Scrubbers:** Use a rotary scrubber with a soft, non-abrasive pad and a pH-neutral cleaner.
• **Heavy Scratches:** Our high-build systems are incredibly durable, but if heavy equipment causes deep localized scratching, the area can often be professionally spot-repaired or re-topcoated by North King Epoxy to restore the finish.