--- title: Floor is Failing? What Caused This and How to Fix it? description: "Floor is peeling. How to fix it.  Smooth Surface: Inadequate grinding, no mechanical bonding can happen.  Weak Substrate can cause a floor to fail. Beneath the epoxy sometimes the quality of the concrete is in bad shape. It can be" --- [Skip to content](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/floor-is-failing-what-caused-this-and-how-to-fix-it#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![et\_black\_logo\_horizontal.png\]](https://help.armorpoxy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/email_template_files/et_black_logo_horizontal.png?height=44&name=et_black_logo_horizontal.png)](https://armorpoxy.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Go to armorpoxy.com](https://armorpoxy.com/) [Go to armorpoxy.com](https://armorpoxy.com/) Product Support Help Center - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [General Issues - Remedies](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/general-issues-remedies?hsLang=en) 3. [Epoxy](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/general-issues-remedies?hsLang=en#epoxy) # Floor is Failing? What Caused This and How to Fix it?   #### Reason 1:  Smooth Surface Inadequate grinding, no mechanical bonding can happen.  #### Reason 2: Weak Substrate Weak Substrate can cause a floor to fail. Beneath the epoxy sometimes the quality of the concrete is in bad shape. It can be brittle and loose. Applying epoxy over this type of floor will fail.  #### Reason 3: Contaminated Floor If the floor has oils or grease on it, it needs to be properly prepped in order for epoxy to bond. You need to clean the floor and scarifying all the dirt off the floor #### Reason 4: Moisture Moisture can cause a floor to fail. If moisture is present beneath the slab, it will permeate to the surface of the concrete. Because coatings such as epoxy are impermeable and do not breathe, water vapor and moisture can't pass through the coating. ### **How To Repair Your Floor? ** #### **Step 1: Prepare the Surface by Cleaning and Sanding** To begin fixing your epoxy garage floor that's peeling, the initial stage is to get the surface ready. This entails thoroughly cleaning it and sanding it to create a smooth surface for the fresh epoxy to stick to. You can use any sand grit between 80-150. Make sure the surface is clean of any dust or debris before applying the epoxy. After preparing the surface, you can start applying the new layer of epoxy. #### Step 2:  **Paint the Floor With Epoxy** The second stage in repairing a peeling epoxy garage floor involves coating the surface with epoxy paint, which will provide a seal and safeguard the floor against additional damage. Epoxy paint is a resilient and enduring alternative for garage floors, so it's crucial to ensure that the surface is clear of any debris before applying the paint. You can commence painting using a brush or roller in small sections until the entire floor is coated once the surface is prepped. It's crucial to allow the paint to dry entirely before stepping on it or returning any vehicles to the garage. #### Step 3: Allow the Epoxy to Cure for the Recommended Time  Allow the epoxy to cure for a full 24 hours. If the epoxy is still tacky, do not apply topcoat over it.  #### Step 4: Add Topcoat To the Surface  Once the epoxy is dry apply your topcoat to the floor to seal the floor and give it a durable finish. Wait recommend time for the topcoat to cure. Since ArmorPoxy carries a variety a topcoats please check the technical data of the product for curing times. Typically, most coatings it's 24 hours for foot traffic and 72 for vehicular traffic. ### ArmorPoxy sells touch up kits to repair small damages to the floor.  [Buy: ArmorClad Touch Up Sample Kit](https://armorpoxy.com/products/armorclad-touch-kit/)    - [Help and Support](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/help-and-support?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Email Product Support](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/help-and-support?hsLang=en#email-product-support) - [Contact Support](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/help-and-support?hsLang=en#contact-support) - [Showroom Visits](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/help-and-support?hsLang=en#showroom-visits) - [Warranties](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/help-and-support?hsLang=en#warranties) - [Product Info and Questions](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/product-info-and-questions?hsLang=en#main-content) - [General Information](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/product-info-and-questions?hsLang=en#general-information) - [ArmorClad: Epoxy System](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/product-info-and-questions?hsLang=en#armorclad-epoxy-system) - [Surface Bond: Asphalt & Concrete Coating](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/product-info-and-questions?hsLang=en#surface-bond-asphalt-concrete-coating) - [SupraTile: Interlocking Floor Tiles](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/product-info-and-questions?hsLang=en#supratile-interlocking-floor-tiles) - [ArmorRenew: Wood & Concrete Resurfacer](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/product-info-and-questions?hsLang=en#armorrenew-wood-concrete-resurfacer) - [Job on a Pallet Kit](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/product-info-and-questions?hsLang=en#job-on-a-pallet-kit) - [ArmorTallic: Metallic Epoxy System](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/product-info-and-questions?hsLang=en#armortallic-metallic-epoxy-system) - [Armor Liquid Membrane](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/product-info-and-questions?hsLang=en#armor-liquid-membrane) - [BallistiX: Indoor/ Outdoor Sealer](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/product-info-and-questions?hsLang=en#ballistix-indoor-outdoor-sealer) - [Polyaspartics](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/product-info-and-questions?hsLang=en#polyaspartics) - [Prep And Application](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Armorclad: Epoxy System](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#armorclad-epoxy-system) - [Surface Bond: Asphalt & Concrete Coating](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#surface-bond-asphalt-concrete-coating) - [SupraTile: Interlocking Floor Tiles](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#supratile-interlocking-floor-tiles) - [ArmorRenew: Wood & Concrete Resurfacer](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#armorrenew-wood-concrete-resurfacer) - [Job on a Pallet Kit](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#job-on-a-pallet-kit) - [ArmorPoxy II: Epoxy System](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#armorpoxy-ii-epoxy-system) - [ArmorUltra: Epoxy System](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#armorultra-epoxy-system) - [BallistiX: Indoor / Outdoor Sealer](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#ballistix-indoor-outdoor-sealer) - [Spartacote](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#spartacote) - [SPGX: Polyurea Coating](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#spgx-polyurea-coating) - [ArmorTrak](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#armortrak) - [A1 VFC Sealer](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#a1-vfc-sealer) - [Floor Repair](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/prep-and-application?hsLang=en#floor-repair) - [Project Recommendations](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/project-recommendations?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Garage Flooring](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/project-recommendations?hsLang=en#garage-flooring) - [Commercial Applications](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/project-recommendations?hsLang=en#commercial-applications) - [General Issues - Remedies](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/general-issues-remedies?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Epoxy](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/general-issues-remedies?hsLang=en#epoxy) - [Liquid Membrane](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/general-issues-remedies?hsLang=en#liquid-membrane) - [BallistiX](https://help.armorpoxy.com/knowledge/general-issues-remedies?hsLang=en#ballistix) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://help.armorpoxy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/email_template_files/et_black_logo_horizontal.png?width=78&height=24&name=et_black_logo_horizontal.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://armorpoxy.com/) armorpoxy.com Help Center Copyright © 2026, Armorpoxy Inc