Epoxy Coating on Shower Floor?

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Author Message Bonnie Baffer (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 09:05 am:    I am renovating gang showers in barracks buildings. (3 story buildings, steel deck with concrete topping.)The existing tile floor will be removed and new drains installed, with concrete sloped to them. I plan to use epoxy & marble chip flooring over existing 1x1 tile floor in the adjacent toilets. (Phoenix by American Hi-Tech Flooring Co) Does anyone have experience with epoxy flooring in showers? Is waterproofing membrane needed and does it adhere correctly beneath? Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 163 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 10:40 am:    I have not used epoxy flooring in showers, but have used a troweled resinous system, Dex-O-Tex M-E Floor System. And yes, we do use a waterproofing membrane below the resinous flooring. The W/P membrane should be by the flooring manufacturer otherwise compatibility could be an issue. The epoxy flooring systems I've had experience with are moisture-sensitive and I'd be careful about their use in a shower. Verify with the manufacturer that they recommend the system for this application. Curt Norton, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: curtn Post Number: 110 Registered: 06-2002 Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 11:59 am:    I would suggest contacting a rep from Dex-o-tex or General Polymers. GP has a product called Epo-flex MER that is very similiar to the system Dave mentioned. It will provide a waterproof system and move with the suspended slab. Epoxies are pretty rigid. Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 341 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 01:55 pm:    I've done resinous floors in animal cage wash areas (which might as well be showers) and agree with the comments above. since all of these products are proprietary and different, you need to verify that your exact product will be suitable in a shower condition (and using hot water, also the chemicals from soap). I have always used a compatible waterproof membrane under the resin installation; usually the manufacturers will have a system that is recommended to be used with their other products. Make certain that the system you are specifying is actually a system and made to work together. Run the membrane up 8 to 12 inches up the wall; you will need coving strips or other way to make that transition; and be careful at the wall/floor material transition so that is properly seamed up. I've used Stonhard products, Crossfield (Dex o Tex) and Selby in these conditions. Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 342 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 02:01 pm:    I just reread the original post. You're putting resinous flooring OVER existing 1 x 1" tiles? why not remove the existing tiles? for a waterproof membrane to work properly, there has to be a good bond between the underlying slab and the membrane and between an impervious tile and whatever grout might be on the floor, it sounds like you're asking for a failure. is there more to this? William Wagner Senior Member Username: bill_black Post Number: 20 Registered: 07-2005 Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 12:50 pm:    Anne- Some manufacturers actually will warranty an over tile installation. I have actually specified this on renovation projects. Am I concerned--yes, but each rep said they would warranty it. I haven't heard how the installation went. -Will Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 223 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 01:28 pm:    Suggest shot blasting existing floor first to achieve a mechanical bondable surface. j smith Senior Member Username: specbuster Post Number: 19 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 12:38 pm:    What i typically see ia a double broadcast clear system with a ceramic aggregate. Chris (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 05:59 pm:    I would use a urethane. It has much better chemical resistance and will hold up longer under the clorine and cleaning products.