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Polyurea Patio Coating: Better Properties than Epoxy
Coating a patio is a decision people typically make to improve the look of their home and make their outdoor space a very enjoyable area to sit in with family and friends. In most cases, their concrete patio is already showing clear signs of use, with cracks, pitting, and stains. They may have already tried to repair the concrete with some filler, but the result isn’t generally eye-pleasing. So they make the decision to have it coated with epoxy.
Epoxy is a fantastic material, very adapted to certain types of situations. But technology has evolved, and epoxy is not any longer the material of choice of a great number of flooring contractors. It also presents critical issues when used outdoor, one of which is its poor tolerance to UV light. When you coat your patio with epoxy, the color will fade and become yellowish over time, whatever quality of epoxy you use. Epoxy is not UV-resistant.
Another issue with epoxy is its hardness. It does not flex easily. When you pour it over concrete, especially outdoor, it is so hard that it will have difficulties expanding with the motion of the concrete underneath. Do you know what are the signs of motion in your concrete surface? Cracks. As your concrete cracks under weather-related elements, do will your epoxy coating. Since outdoor patios are heavily exposed to extreme elements in Michigan, cracks are inevitable.
This is why Motorcity Floors and Coatings strongly advocates installing polyurea patio coating at our customers’ homes, for all the reasons above, and also because it is just easier to clean. None of our customers love to spend time cleaning their patio.
Polyurea Patio Coating: Easier to Clean Than Epoxy?
Yes, a polyurea-coated patio is generally easy to clean. Polyurea is a durable and resilient coating that offers excellent resistance to stains, chemicals, abrasion, and weathering. Its chemical composition creates a smooth, seamless, and non-porous surface.
How do you clean it?
To clean your polyurea patio coating, follow these steps:
- Remove loose debris: Sweep or use a leaf blower to remove leaves, dirt, or other loose debris from the surface of the patio.
- Rinse with water: Use a garden hose or a pressure washer with a wide-angle nozzle to rinse the patio surface with clean water. This helps remove surface dirt and prepares the area for further cleaning.
- Use mild soap or detergent: If there are stubborn stains or dirt, you can mix a mild soap or detergent with water in a bucket. Use a soft-bristle brush or a mop to scrub the surface gently. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners as they may damage the coating.
- Rinse thoroughly: After scrubbing, rinse the patio surface thoroughly with clean water to remove any soapy residue. Ensure that all cleaning solution is washed away.
- Dry the surface: Allow the patio to air dry or use a clean towel or mop to remove excess water. Avoid leaving standing water on the surface for an extended period as it may affect the coating.
Cleaning Your Polyurea Patio Coating: How Often?
There is no steadfast rule about the frequency of cleaning. It all depends on how exposed it is to the weather, what sort of debris it gathers, and the season you’re in.
What we know, however, is that a light, regular cleaning of your polyurea patio coating will keep it in good shape for a very long time. Mostly, you have to take care of spills and stains quickly. Wet autumn leaves, for instance, leave heavy stains when they are left several days on any surface. The longer the exposure, the more difficult it will become to remove that type of stain. Polyurea is highly resistant to infiltration because it is a non-porous material. However, the organic chemicals of a wet leaf react with the chemicals of the coating, and this creates stains.
When Motorcity Floors and Coatings installs a polyurea coating on your patio, we make sure you receive the specific maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer of the coating we used for your home. Best practices based on product-specific recommendations make for the best outcomes when they are carefully followed.
At MotorCity Floors and Coatings, we specialize in combined polyurea/polyaspartic coatings. Our coating process is time-proven, and will transform any concrete floor into a stronger, more attractive space. Let us help you find the perfect solution for your patio. Contact us at (248) 613-5888 to get professional advice and a quote.
