The Foundation of Perfection: Why Self-Leveling is Non-Negotiable for Your Next Floor
At Empire Coatings, we believe that a world-class finish is only as good as the surface beneath it. Whether you are installing a high-performance industrial epoxy or a decorative metallic floor, the secret to longevity and aesthetics lies in one crucial step: Self-Leveling.
Irregular concrete—with its dips, ridges, and "birdbaths"—is the enemy of a successful coating. Self-leveling underlayments (SLU) are the professional solution to transforming "rough" into "ready."
Why Self-Leveling Matters
Pouring an expensive coating over uneven concrete is a recipe for disaster. Here is why the pro's at Empire Coatings always recommend a level start:
Uniform Thickness: High-quality epoxies are designed to be applied at specific "mils" (thickness). If the floor has dips, the epoxy pools, leading to soft spots and improper curing.
Aesthetic Brilliance: For decorative finishes like metallics or flakes, a flat surface ensures the light hits the floor evenly, eliminating shadows and distorted reflections.
Structural Bond: Modern self-levelers, like those from Euclid Chemical or Elite Crete Systems, bond tenaciously to the substrate, creating a monolithic base that resists cracking under heavy traffic.
The Empire Process: How We Level Up
Mechanical Prep: We don't just pour and pray. We grind the concrete to a CSP 3 profile to ensure the leveler has a "mechanical key" to grip.
Advanced Priming: We apply specialized primers that seal the concrete pores. This prevents air from escaping (off-gassing), which is the #1 cause of bubbles and pinholes in your final floor.
The Precision Pour: Using gauge rakes and spiked rollers, our team manages the "wet edge" to create a seamless, glass-smooth transition across thousands of square feet.
