Who is TMI Coatings?
We are painting and restoration contractors. We coat steel to reduce corrosion and perform concrete repair and restoration.
How is TMI Coatings different from its competitors?
TMI Coatings, Inc. (TMI) is a woman-owned industrial and commercial contractor restoring America’s infrastructure since 1985. We specialize in industrial and specialty coatings, including but not limited to water towers, silos, smokestacks, bridges, metal support structures, floor and roof coating. TMI is also an Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) QP1 and QP2 certified contractor, demonstrating our competence, experience, safety, quality controls, and ability to complete any complex project.
Do you use your own crews?
TMI employs and trains its own field technicians. They are skilled craftsmen with experience in surface preparation, lead abatement, and various coating applications. They travel to our customer locations throughout the country.
Who are some of your customers?
ADM, Cargill, Toro, Honeywell, 3M, Bimbo Bakeries, the federal government, and municipalities.
What is industrial painting?
Industrial painting is complex, hard-to-reach (or access) painting in facilities or plants, such as refineries, food plants, manufacturing facilities, agricultural companies, municipalities, etc.
To withstand harsh environments, industrial painting often requires specialized rigging to access areas such as confined spaces.
How do you prepare steel for coating?
The preparation of steel will vary depending on the environment and coating system specified. It will likely include degreasing, water blasting, and/or sandblasting. In areas where either is impractical, CO2 blasting may be an alternative. The manufacturer’s recommended surface preparation must be followed for proper adhesion.
What degree of sandblasting is required for constant immersion service?
A minimum SSPC-SP10 Near White Metal Blast. For best results, an SSPC-SP 5 White Metal Blast. The degree of sandblasting will vary based on the specified coating and service environment. For example, an SSPC-SP 5 White Metal Blast is required for potable water.
Why do you line the interior of tanks?
Every company has a different reason to line a tank. Our customers’ reasons include reducing product build-up, corrosion protection, cleanability, FDA requirements, reducing anti-microbial growth, etc. TMI Coatings has lined thousands of tanks since 1985.
Do you spray or brush and roll paint?
TMI Coatings applies paint by spray and brush and roll. We prefer to brush and roll outdoors to eliminate overspray risk; however, some coatings must be sprayed. When spraying paint is required, it’s done within containment to mitigate paint spray drift.
Why is it important to repair cracks on concrete silos?
When cracks are present on the exteriors of concrete silos, moisture can migrate through the gap. As moisture seeps into the concrete, it causes corrosion of the rebar. Over time, the rebar corrodes and expands, causing the concrete to disbond from the structure. The spalling concrete may fall to the ground, which is a safety concern. Moisture infiltration also affects the structural integrity of the silos.
Why waterproof concrete silo walls?
Applying a waterproof coating to the exterior prolongs the life of concrete silos. The protective coating reduces moisture from penetrating the walls of the silos, eliminating corrosion from occurring. When corrosion occurs in the concrete, it results in cracks or spalling. A protective coating offers a waterproof seal and an aesthetically pleasing finish.
Why line a containment dike?
Lining a containment dike is essential to protect the groundwater from contamination of the product stored in the tank. Chemicals penetrating the ground can cause long-term health concerns. Coatings protect the concrete and ground in the event of a tank spill or rupture. Coatings reduce cracking and eroding concrete. Containment areas should be inspected regularly to repair cracks and inferior areas to ensure the dike lining is intact.
How do you prepare a concrete floor before coating?
The most effective way to prepare a concrete floor is to degrease the area first, then mechanically abrade the concrete with handheld diamond grinders or a walk-behind shot blast unit.
How do I ensure I have the correct surface profile on my concrete floor?
To ensure you have the correct anchor pattern, consult the application guide for the specific coating you are applying. Most coating systems require between a CSP 2-6. For example, a 3/16” cementitious urethane floor system requires a CSP 3-4. Click on the link to see a visual representation of the standards https://www.graco.com/us/en/contractor/solutions/articles/concrete-surface-prep-part-3-grades-of-roughness.html
How long do you need to complete a floor coating project?
The project’s duration will vary; some require only a day, whereas others may take weeks. It differs primarily on the amount of square footage, how many obstructions to work around, and the chosen coating system. We work with the customer to determine the best floor coating for their environment.
What is the best color to coat my concrete floor?
There are many choices; however, standard gray is readily available and most often installed.
How can I prevent my floors from staining?
Any floor coating may stain with prolonged exposure to chemicals. When choosing a floor system, keep the chemicals and concentrations in mind; good housekeeping practices and limiting the exposure will reduce staining.
Do you do residential work?
No, we are commercial and industrial contractors. We go to our customer locations nationwide to do our construction services. We sandblast and paint steel, line tanks, do concrete floor coating and restoration, and other similar construction activities.
