Epoxy Flooring in Iowa City, IA

Epoxy flooring in Iowa City has to account for two things that shape this city: the Iowa River and a large rental market. On June 13, 2008, the river reached a record 30.46 feet in Iowa City, two days after water went over the emergency spillway at the Coralville Reservoir. Census survey estimates for 2019 to 2023 also show that 52.8% of the city's occupied homes are rented. Both facts change how we plan a floor here.

Moisture comes first

A basement that once took river water, or that sits low near the floodplain, can hold moisture in the slab long after it looks dry. When that moisture moves up through the concrete, it can push a coating off and cause blisters. Our Iowa City basement estimates always include:

• Moisture readings at several points, not just one
• A look at walls, floor drains and the joint between wall and floor
• Notes on any old residues from cleanup work, which have to be ground away

If readings are high, we use a moisture-mitigating primer. If water is still getting in, we will say so and recommend fixing that before coating.

Housing from every period

Iowa City was created in 1839 and served as Iowa's first state capital from 1846 to 1857. About 11.8% of its homes were built in 1939 or earlier, and the median year built is 1985. Wikipedia notes the historic Northside Neighborhood, part of the Old Capitol Cultural District, and older areas such as Prospect Hill. Garages and basements in these older homes often have worn or painted concrete. Newer neighborhoods have attached garages with sounder slabs. Since 2010, about 18.5% of the city's housing has been added.

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For landlords and property managers

With more than half of homes rented and a university of about 31,000 students, a lot of Iowa City floors get hard use and frequent turnover. A coated floor makes that easier:

• Basement and laundry floors wipe clean between tenants
• Garage floors resist oil stains that otherwise stay behind
• A solid-color or light flake finish brightens a dim lower level
• Commercial-grade topcoats handle common laundry rooms and storage areas

We can schedule around move-out dates and give you a cure timeline in writing so you know when the space is ready again.

Winter on the slab

Wikipedia lists Iowa City's average January temperature at about 22.8°F and annual snowfall at 27.5 inches. That is enough freeze-thaw and road salt to wear on a bare garage floor over time. A sealed, coated slab keeps salt brine on the surface where it can be rinsed out.

Commercial and mixed-use spaces

Iowa City also has a lot of small commercial space: storefront back rooms, service bays, storage areas and building common rooms. For these we use heavier 100% solids epoxy with a chemical-resistant topcoat, and we can add texture where floors get wet. We can phase larger jobs so part of the space stays open while we work on the rest.