In Tucson, 1-day companies often promise quick installs with polyurea or polyaspartic floor coatings that supposedly withstand the desert heat. But industry experts warn this shortcut skips crucial moisture mitigation steps—jeopardizing the long-term performance of your garage floor.
The Problem: Dry Doesn’t Mean Moisture-Free
While Tucson is known for its arid climate, moisture vapor still migrates up through concrete slabs—especially during monsoon season when sudden rain soaks into the ground. Fast-curing polyurea or polyaspartic floor coatings applied directly to concrete can’t penetrate deeply enough to form a strong bond. This leads to:
- Trapped moisture vapor and hydrostatic pressure pushing up on the thin, poorly-penetrating polyurea-polyaspartic base coat
- Inevitable bubbling, peeling, and delamination
- Warranties that exclude moisture-related failures, leaving homeowners with costly repairs
The Solution: Moisture-Mitigation with Epoxy
Industry experts agree: polyaspartic floor coatings should only be used as topcoats—never as direct-to-concrete primers. Before applying polyaspartics, a 100%-solids moisture-mitigating epoxy primer must be applied. This slow-curing, moisture-mitigating coating forms a vapor barrier due to its deep concrete penetration and superior adhesion.
By taking this step, you avoid early coating failure and guarantee long-term durability—even in Tucson’s harsh conditions.
The Proof: Experts Back the Process
Manufacturers like General Polymers (Sherwin-Williams), Sika, and Dur-A-Flex recommend exactly this approach:
- Moisture testing every slab before coating
- Proper surface preparation to CSP (Concrete Surface Profile) standards
- A 100%-solids, moisture-mitigating epoxy floor coating primer before any polyaspartic application
These recommendations align with industry standards set by ASTM, ACI, and ICRI, which all emphasize moisture mitigation as the key to coating longevity.
At GarageFloorCoating.com (Tucson), we never skip steps to save a day. Our proven 2-day process uses premium materials and follows strict standards. That’s why we back our floors with a real warranty—including coverage against all moisture-related failures that most 1-day companies exclude.
Choose GarageFloorCoating.com (Tucson) for a floor that’s built to last in the desert heat and monsoon storms.