Answering the question of how long you should stay off a newly made epoxy floor is not so straightforward. This is because of the various factors at work. Regardless of these factors, you should be able to make full use of the floor within seven days.
More light will be shed on this here and we will proffer answers to a few other questions relating to epoxy floors.
What Are the Factors that Determine How Soon an Epoxy Floor Can Be Used?
Understanding the several factors that determine how soon an epoxy floor can be used will prevent people from using the floor before the right time. Some of these factors include:
Temperature
This is one of the major deciding factors in how soon such floors can be used. The way it works, the drying of the floor will be better aided in hot temperatures. In other words, the hotter the temperature, the quicker the floor becomes solid enough to a point that it can be used.
Humidity
Some people mistake or do not understand the difference between humidity and temperature. Understanding the difference is important even in this context. This is because humidity also affects how long it would take before the epoxy floor can be usable.
Humidity has to do with the amount of moisture present in the vicinity’s atmosphere. Just like in the case of temperature, the higher the humidity level, the quicker it would take for the epoxy floor to be usable.
Ventilation
People put their clothes out in the open for them to dry because ventilation is more in the open. In the same vein, the epoxy floor will dry faster if the area is well ventilated.
The Epoxy Product Used to Make the Floor
There are different kinds of epoxy resin products used to make epoxy floors. Some of the common kinds of such products include full solids, water, and solvent-based products. One thing to note is that they do not dry at the same rate and this could affect how long you would need to stay off your epoxy floor.
How Long Will It Take for Epoxy Floor to Dry?
The time varies based on several factors and how they are not the same everywhere. But by and large, the drying process should be completed in no more than 7 days. In some cases, the floors can be walked on and items placed on them as soon as between 12 to 48 hours.
Are There Any Safety Precautions when Dealing with New Epoxy Floors?
There are a few safety precautions when dealing with newly constructed epoxy floors. Some of them include:
Not Dragging Items on the Newly Constructed Epoxy Floor
You should not drag items across the new epoxy floor. This is even if you think or it looks like it is dry and solid enough to withstand such. This is to prevent ugly scratches on the floor’s surface, at the very least.
Place a Protective Clothing or Coating under Objects Placed on the Epoxy Floor
In addition to not dragging items on the new epoxy floor, you should also protect the floor by using a protective coating or clothing under items placed on it. This will also ensure that the protruding parts of the items do not damage the floor (however little it might be).
