The nuances of crafting the perfect indoor parking lot floor

Longevity coupled with minimal maintenance are key outcomes of using the right methods and tools

There are over 570 construction projects in Africa, worth over USD 450 billion. After Energy, the next greatest sector is transport with projects that include roads, airports, and railways, worth USD 280 billion. That’s a LOT of moving people, more and more of whom, as the populations become more westernised, are opting for indoor entertainment — in malls, shopping centers, sports centers etc. and parking cars outside results in an unbearably inside the vehicle. Due to this, indoor parking lots are more in demand than ever before, the requirements for which are vastly different to those that are outdoor.

When creating an indoor parking lot, the part that has to bear the brunt of the wear and tear is the floor. How can we create a parking lot floor that lasts for years? The answer, according to Lionel Zietsman, National Sales Manager – Africa, Husqvarna Construction Products is Surface Preparation.

The term Surface Preparation, as the name implies, refers to the many methods and treatments utilised to ready a concrete surface before applying a sealing coat of epoxy. This can be done with several materials but specifically in parking lots, the substrate, or underlying surface, that requires prepping is concrete. Old coatings, dust & residue, surface imperfections, organic matter, oxidation and other contaminants must be removed to ensure efficacy of the new coating.

There are various steps that go into ensuring that a concrete surface is ready for coating, many of which involve Husqvarna Construction Products (HCP) world leading surface prep equipment like floor grinders, diamond tools, scarifiers, shot-blasters and dust collectors. For new floors, the process to follow is the complete removal of the laitance of the concrete surface, leveling the floor and create the desired Concrete Surface Profile (CSP/ roughness) suitable for the coating for best adhesion on the concrete. Whereas for the old floors, it is necessary to completely remove the previous coatings using special diamond tools from HSP and then grind to create the desired CSP suitable for the new coating for best adhesion on the concrete.

Lional recommends the following steps for surface preparation:

1. Profile the surface: Understand how best to do the surface preparation and what tools will be required.

2. Work on a blank canvas: Take off the laitance of the new concrete surface and/or the existing coatings in old floors. A blank canvas is necessary for a long-lasting parking lot floor.

3. Remove other contaminants: Remove oil, grease, chlorides etc., which are common in a place with heavy, slow-moving vehicle traffic, but cannot be on a surface that is being readied for coating if the paint is to adhere to the substrate completely and remain in good shape.

4. Flatten loose portions: Any area that may peel, flake, or disintegrate should be cleaned from the surface. Grinding or abrasive blasting eliminates loose materials from the substrate’s surface.

5. Final surface profilometry: Once all the contaminants have been removed, the floor must once again be profiled to determine what type of coating and process will result in the best outcome.

6. Dry the surface: Applying coating on a dry surface is the only way to ensure its best performance. If not dry, coating drying time is affected and, as moisture evaporates, microscopic holes can form in the coating. During African summers, humidity is also an important factor to consider — each coating will have a different requirement. Without a dry surface, flash corrosion can occur, which cannot be covered, even with a second coating.

“Surface preparation equipment makes money only when it is functional. It needs to be professionally maintained to ensure that it retains quality, longer service life and reliability. For this, regular general inspections must be done,” advises Lionel. “Our competent staff at HCP have extensive knowledge and experience. They are constantly improving our machines in the Husqvarna Service Center. HSP clients always get quick and professional service with original parts.”

Richard Hugh, from Super Flooring, has extensive experience with all floor surfaces and shares his expertise with regards to indoor parking; “Many factors affect the quality of a parking lot floor but none so much as surface preparation. The accurate, timely and proper preparation of the substrate influences the durability of the epoxy coating. For surface prep to be a success, you will need a well-structured and knowledgeable team equipped with professional machines and tools. The equipment you use forms the basis of this and should enable you to perform at your maximum potential and profitability.”

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