Crumbling, deteriorating concrete fuel islands are as much of an eyesore for customers as they are for store management. They don’t leave a good first impression and can be a safety hazard.

Many times, the reason for ignoring deteriorated fuel island foundations is perceived cost and disruption. The reality is that both can end up being a welcome surprise when done properly. Particularly when you realize you don’t have to remove pumps or shut down operations to get the job completed.

There’s a clear financial advantage in restoring, not replacing, fuel island foundations with an epoxy-based concrete alternative solution. Plus, the end result can be a stronger, longer-lasting, and custom-colored foundation.

There are at least five ways restoring your deteriorating fuel islands makes good financial sense:

• Create a more welcoming environment for top-line revenue growth – A newer-looking, brighter fuel island with a fully formed base sends a positive brand message to your customers. It also looks cleaner and more sanitary Leaving the space looking in disrepair with an exposed, rusted metal band around it sends the opposite message.
• Avoid the liabilities that come with rusted metal bands – Look for epoxy-based structures are strong enough to not need any metal reinforcement. Say goodbye to metal bands, and say goodbye to their risk of rust and their safety threat to customers.
• Stay operational during construction – For a typical four-island station, choose a solution that requires closing only two islands at a time so the other two can continue to pump gas. High-quality fuel Island restorations often use three layers of new, stronger material – an epoxy/aggregate blend, a protective coat of epoxy, and a urethane topcoat. And in solutions where the pumps do not get removed, islands can be completed in as few as one-to-two business days. That means a four-island station can be completed in just four days. And you’re still able to sell gasoline the entire time.
• Save on maintenance costs – Epoxy-based concrete alternatives are two- to three times stronger than concrete, so they’re less likely to crumble or chip from wear or when a vehicle clips them. Further, if a portion of it does flake off, the custom color you choose is saturated throughout the whole base so there’s less need for touching up than with standard concrete.
• Enjoy more time between restorations – Finally, epoxy-based systems tend to last longer than standard concrete foundations. Plus, they’ll maintain their form, retain their color, and handle the wear and tear of the weather, chemicals, and UV exposure much better than standard concrete. For you, that means less frequent disruptions and less frequent expenses to repeat the process.

Could this be the year you tackle your deteriorating concrete fuel islands?