Parking Garage Automotive Flooring
Cincinnati MedPace's New Garage
- Industries: Automotive, Pharmaceutical
- Services: Concrete Surface Preparation, Urethane Concrete
Delivering Durable, Waterproof Urethane Flooring Solutions for MedPace’s New Garage
When a new 100,000 square-foot parking garage for MedPace, a Clinical Research Organization in Cincinnati, OH was being built, the team needed to address the long-term integrity of the concrete slab.
The Challenge
The design firm and building owner initially specified multiple potential solutions to address waterproofing and long-term protection of the concrete slab. A critical concern was preventing water penetration into the concrete structure, which can lead to corrosion of reinforcing steel (rebar), premature concrete degradation, and costly repairs over time.
In addition, portions of the garage were constructed over occupied and conditioned interior spaces, requiring a more robust waterproofing solution capable of providing enhanced protection and durability.
Automotive Flooring Requirements
- Impact Resistant: Withstands heavy machinery, vehicle traffic, dropped tools, and equipment without cracking or chipping.
- Chemical & Oil Resistant: Resists automotive fluids, solvents, degreasers, and cleaning agents without degrading or staining.
- Heavy Load Capacity: Supports heavy vehicles, lifts, tooling equipment, and point loads from jacks and stands.
- Slip Resistant: Reduces slip-and-fall hazards in areas exposed to oil, grease, coolant, and fluid spills.
- Easy to Clean & Maintain: Seamless surfaces allow for quick cleanup of spills and debris—keeping operations moving.
Hardig's Approach
On the main parking deck, Hardig installed a four-coat urethane traffic coating system with a total thickness of approximately 80 mils, providing durable protection against vehicular traffic, moisture intrusion, and environmental exposure.
Concrete Surface Preparation & Urethane Traffic Coating
Hardig Industrial Services prepared the newly placed concrete surfaces through shot blasting, ensuring proper surface profile and adhesion for the coating systems. Two distinct urethane traffic coating systems were installed based on performance requirements for each area of the structure.
Custom Waterproof Solution for Added Durability
Over areas constructed above occupied and conditioned space, a more robust waterproofing system was required. In these locations, Hardig installed a high-build urethane waterproofing system, including an additional waterproofing slurry layer. This enhanced system totaled approximately 250 mils of installed coating thickness, delivering superior waterproofing performance and long-term protection of the concrete structure below.
The Results
- The completed urethane traffic coating systems provide long-term waterproofing and protection for the 100,000 square-foot MedPace Parking Garage, helping prevent water intrusion and rebar corrosion while extending the service life of the concrete structure.
- By tailoring system thickness and performance to specific areas of the garage, Hardig delivered a durable, cost-effective solution that meets both structural and operational requirements for new commercial construction.
- After 5 years, the coating system and the waterproofing is still intact. No leaks or water intrusion were present at the manufacturer’s inspection of the work.
Project Specifications
- Industry: Automotive
- Client: MedPace
- Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Facility Type: Parking Garage
- Project Type: New Construction
- Solution Provided: Concrete surface preparation, Urethane concrete flooring
- Systems Installed: Urethane Waterproof Traffic Coating
- Special Challenges: Prevent water penetration into the concrete structure, portions of the garage were constructed over occupied and conditioned interior spaces
- Performance Standards: Impact Resistant, chemical & oil resistant, heavy load capacity, slip resistant, easy to clean & maintain
- Business Impact: No leaks or water intrusion were present at the manufacturer’s inspection of the work at the 5 year mark
Ready to Address Your Automotive Facility Flooring Issues?
Dealing with deteriorated concrete, drainage problems, or other issues with your automotive flooring? Hardig provides solutions to withstand heavy loads, chemical exposure, and high-traffic operations, keeping your facility safe, compliant, and productive.