Can Epoxy Withstand Salt & Chemicals?
Another common question that our epoxy garage, epoxy patio, and epoxy porch customers frequently ask is, “Can epoxy withstand salt and chemicals?” This is an important question when it comes to cleaning your epoxy floor system, particularly for our customers in the Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo regions where salt is frequently used for snow and ice removal. While epoxy can withstand a wide variety of substances and chemicals, it is important to note that prolonged exposure to any substance is less than ideal.
In the Canadian winter months, it is common to use salt as a means for melting ice in flat surfaces such as walkways, patios, and porches, even garages. Now, while epoxy is extremely resilient to salt and salt-chemical compounds, customers should be aware that the harsh, abrasive nature of salt can cause potential damage to your epoxy floor system over time. This occurs when the sharp salt crystals are ground into the epoxy floor causing small imperfections or scrapes, either by foot traffic or car tires, such as a parked car in an epoxy garage. Overtime, this repeated exposure can cause a dulling effect to the previously glossy finish of your epoxy coating. Furthermore, salt attracts moisture which may lead to potential water damage—thus causing discoloring and even threatening the integrity of your epoxy floor.
Additionally, while epoxy is very resilient to most chemicals, we would not recommend prolonged exposure to any harsh liquids or cleaning solutions, especially chemicals that act as a thinner, such as acetone.
With respect to both salt and chemicals on your epoxy floor, the most important thing to maintain is limited exposure to these substances over long periods of time. This will ensure that the integrity, gloss, and texture of your epoxy floor endures for as long as possible. For any kind of cleaning of dirt or spills, we simply recommend using water and a light detergent. And rather than using salt in a potentially hazardous area, perhaps consider the use of safety mats.
