06 Jan Brooklyn Center Water Treatment Facility
Case study
BROOKLYN CENTER WATER TREATMENT FACILITY
This is a state-of-the-art water treatment facility built in 2016, designed specifically to manage the higher levels of manganese and iron found in the city’s drinking water. It has been a complete success in treating the water and this stunning facility is an archetype of what other cities look for when building their own water treatment plants. Epoxy floor coatings are used in facilities like this to protect concrete floors from chemical exposure, abrasion and impact from a variety traffic while providing slip resistance as necessary.
In 2020, just 4 years after opening, the City of Brooklyn Center started having issues with the flooring in its water treatment facility. The coating that was installed as part of the initial construction had several areas peeling away to bare concrete and was difficult to clean. As shown in the photos there was some bad staining and cracking as well. It was an unsightly look for such a high-profile facility, as well as unsafe. The city was concerned about protecting its investment, their personnel, and property. Uncoated concrete with deterioration and cracking will break down much quicker, especially in areas where chemicals can attack it.
SwedeBro began the process by completely removing the existing coating down to bare concrete. The use of grinders and shot blasters made quick work of the coating while also providing the correct profile to which the new epoxy system could bond. A 2-coat process with a topcoat of Sherwin-Williams Resuflor 3746 was the ideal system for this application.
SwedeBro has collaborated with other cities and counties and have completed projects for the City of Brooklyn Center as well. That previous relationship and reputation across the Twin Cities and state of Minnesota made SwedeBro the ideal company to assess their needs. When analyzing the existing conditions, it was determined that inadequate preparation led to the peeling. The product may have not been the best option given the chemical exposure.
Resuflor 3746 is durable, easy to clean and chemical resistant. Prior to application of the primer and topcoat, all cracks and divots were patched and filled to ensure a safe and smooth finished surface. For higher traffic areas like walkways and near exterior entrances a light silica sand was added for increased skid resistance to prevent slip and falls. The rest of the flooring areas were kept smooth for easier cleaning. The City of Brooklyn Center now has beautiful, dependable floor to match the design and function of their state-of-the-art water treatment facility.
