Deicers provide a valuable service once the ambient temperature drops below freezing. They help melt ice, especially on driveways, to keep properties free from ice-related incidents. Unfortunately, this can be counterproductive if such deicers damage garage floor coatings and the cement underneath. Some better options are available to preserve your space when the weather outside is frightful.

What Are Deicers?

There are many commercially available solutions for melting the ice on driveways and sidewalks, each with unique pros and cons. These compounds do their deicing duty by lowering the freezing point of water and inhibiting bonds between ice and the surface beneath. 

For example, many commercial deicers contain glycol which has a freezing point of -12°C. While water’s freezing point is a straightforward 0°C, the freezing point of the two liquids combined is dramatically lower than either individual component, an impressive  -50°C for a 70:30 mixture of ethylene glycol:water.

Salt

Rock salt is the most common deicer on the market. It is naturally occurring, and there are many kinds of salt. Sodium chloride rock salt isn’t on poison control’s radar, yet it does pose other problems, the biggest being that it is a catalyst for rust formation. Calcium chloride, on the other hand, is very toxic and bad for the environment.

Like sand, salt used as a deicer gets everywhere, even in places you do not intend. Even if your garage floor coating is missed in the salt’s initial distribution, you or others are likely to track it across such floors on your shoes.

Ethylene Glycol

Ethylene glycol is in many commercial deicers. It is highly toxic if ingested, though fortunately it decays within 10 days in water and soil. Used sparingly, ethylene glycol isn’t likely to be harmful to the environment. 

Sand

Sand is not technically a decider since it doesn’t cause driveway ice to melt, but it can be used to add traction in the face of thick and slippery ice. Because it can make icy driveways messy, cleaning it up can be monotonous.

Do Deicers Damage Garage Floor Coatings?

The short answer is yes, most deicers damage garage floor coatings. They are well-understood to damage concrete, and unfortunately garage floor coatings can be susceptible. This damage ranges from unsightly staining to prominent structural damage.

One way deicers damage garage floor coatings is by staining them. If you’ve ever walked outside in areas where rock salt has been laid to prevent ice buildup, you’ll know that even brief contact leaves salt residue on any surface it touches. These can be obnoxious to clean off, but it is important to do so promptly to prevent staining. Garage floor coatings are affected in the same way.

Most deicers are made from materials with corrosive properties. This helps them break down ice, but it also means that deicers damage garage floor coatings. If deicing compounds aren’t carried in on the soles of your shoes, they will be carried in on the tires and undercarriage of your vehicles.

Preserving Your Garage Floor Coating

Floor coatings do a lot to prevent environmental damage to your floors. They form a barrier between the cement and the harsh winter elements. Concrete is naturally porous, and one way deicers harm unprotected cement is by melting ice so quickly that the cement underneath becomes oversaturated with water. 

Salts also draw moisture, and when the concrete becomes saturated, the freeze-thaw cycle of water can cause garage floors to flake or even crack. Since deicers damage garage floor coatings, you can extend the life of your coating by being very mindful of the chemicals and methods you use to clear off your driveway.

Some kinds of coatings are more resistant to deicers than others. If you know you live in an area that gets ice, do your research before having your garage floor covered to make sure you choose the best kind for your property. Adding a topical sealer can improve your floor coating’s durability.

Clean It Up

The perfect way to clean your coating will depend on the kind of coating you have, but a little vinegar or dish soap in a gallon of water usually does the job. Be sure to rinse well. Other cleaning solutions are available commercially if you prefer.

Repairs

Flaking can be repaired with a polymer-modified cement, a stronger, cleaner, and more elegant solution than an ordinary cement patch. Find the best polymer to match the floor coating you have.

Alternatives—Damage-Free Deicers

Hot water is the most natural deicer for driveways, but like all the others, has its pros and cons. To its credit, adding more water won’t hurt the environment or damage garage floor coatings. It must be used with discretion, however. Pouring boiling or near-boiling water on cold surfaces (like glass) can cause them to crack, and spreading water on the driveway while it is icy outside can be very tedious.

Some property owners choose to install warming pads underneath their driveways. While this makes ice removal very easy, high installation costs can be prohibitive. We recommend laying down mats in your garage during the winter to keep the deicers away.

Chip and flake may not be a very encouraging name for a floor coating, but the name belies just how sturdy the mixture is. If you are looking for a beautiful coating for your garage floor, chip and flake flooring may be just the solution you are looking for. You don’t have to take our word for it, though. Here we provide the basic deals so you can choose for yourself.

What Is Flake Flooring?

Laying flake flooring combines the highest quality blended vinyl flakes from polyaspartic coatings and epoxy. It is a floor protection that is hardy and beautifully textured. The process to lay chip and flake flooring is a layered one. That is the secret of its durability. The process follows this order: a moisture-resistant primer, a vinyl chip and flake broadcast, a grout coat, and a chemical resistant topcoat.

First, the flooring is prepped for the primer. The primer protects the floor while shoring it up. It also keeps moisture from coming up through the ground into the flooring. Primers are usually made of polyurethane concrete, other polyaspartic coating materials, or—most commonly—epoxy. Each has its unique strengths.

After the primer comes the namesake: the flakes. These are made with resin, pigments, fillers, and optional additives. They are fine, like thin vinyl confetti, and come in a wide array of colors that do not bleed when they get wet. Each flake is completely unique in both size and shape. They are layered on in color schemes unique to the property owner’s preference.  

The flake layer is secured in place by a grout coat. During this stage, property owners can decide just how textured they want the floor coating to be, though how the top coat is applied can also be adjusted to that preference. 

Top coats can be laid to the property owner’s specified thickness, and a thicker coat generally appears more luxurious. While the topcoat determines the sheen of the floor (ranging from matte to glossy), it is not only about the coating’s appearance. It also protects the entire system from UV radiation.

Common Questions About Chip and Flake Flooring

What Are the Disadvantages of Flake Flooring?

Nothing is perfect, and flake flooring is no exception. It can be slippery and the top coat can become discolored if it undergoes too much UV exposure. Perhaps the biggest drawback is just how involved the installation is. Each layer (especially the epoxy) takes time to cure, and in order for it to cure correctly, the humidity levels need to be kept at consistent moderate levels.

Chip and flake flooring have a very unique textured appearance. This can make it easy to lose similarly-colored small items like staples or bolts. The floor coating also has a high upfront cost, However, since it is such an enduring material, this disadvantage is mitigated by the fact that flake floors are actually less expensive in the long run.

Are Flake Floors a Good Idea?

The only answer to this question seems to be a list of flake flooring’s pros and cons. Since we have already covered the cons, we’ll just add some of the floor covering’s advantages. The biggest is probably just how durable the system is. Against water, heat, and the pressure of heavy vehicles, flake floors pass the test.

Sometimes the toughest materials are also bland and unattractive, but that is not the case with flake flooring. Property owners have almost unlimited color choices, and the variability means that each floor is customized to a property owner’s taste. Color, thickness, and texture are all up to you. The unique installation process allows the coating to cover both smooth and textured floors without issue. Your garage floors can have a luxurious appearance, reminiscent of marble’s, while still being tough as nails.

Are Epoxy Flake Floors Slippery?

With the addition of a smooth topcoat, flake coverings have a tendency to be a bit slippery. The upside is that the smoothness makes them very easy to clean. The downside is that they can be a bit hazardous when wet. The way to get around this is to add anti-slip compounds into the topcoat.

How Long Does Chip and Flake Flooring Last?

Have we mentioned that these floor coatings are highly durable? Just how long they last depends a few factors. These include where they are laid, the quality of the installation, the thickness of the topcoat, and the amount of use the floor coating gets. Even on the shorter end, chip and flake flooring still preserves any floor for a long time. Installing it can only be an investment for your garage floor.