There are a lot of reasons to like your concrete garage floor. Concrete is a durable material that holds up well under the weight of heavy vehicles and various tools, machines, and other bulky items often found in a garage. However, concrete is vulnerable to changes in the temperature, and a harsh cold winter that results in frequent freezing and thawing can result in flaking, chipping, cracking, or even crumbling. You can prevent this kind of damage by taking steps to winterize your garage floor. Take a look at some of your options for preparing your garage floor for the coming winter season.
Epoxy
You can apply a do-it-yourself epoxy to your garage floor to not only protect it, but also to add some color. Unlike ordinary paint, epoxy will resist grease, oil, and other common garage stains. However, DIY epoxy is one of the most labor-intensive options for protecting your garage floor. If you want your epoxy flooring to last, you’ll have to do considerable prep-work – otherwise, you’ll have a peeling, flaking floor in a few years.
First, you’ll need to clean and degrease your garage floor, remove any oil spots, etch it with acid, and scrub it thoroughly. You’ll also need to fill any cracks and test the garage floor for moisture. You can do this by taping a plastic bag to the garage floor for 24 hours, then lifting it to see if there is moisture underneath. If your garage floor does have moisture issues, you won’t be able to use the epoxy – the water pressure will prevent the epoxy from bonding with your concrete floor.
Sealant
If you’re up for a DIY project but looking for something easier than epoxy, concrete sealant is a good option. Not only is it an easier chore than applying epoxy, it’s also less expensive. You may have done this before, or your builder may have done it when the garage was originally put in place, but concrete sealer doesn’t last forever – if it’s been a few years, the odds are that it’s been broken down just by normal wear and tear.
Concrete sealant is typically clear, so you’re left with a floor that’s the color of ordinary concrete. If you want to dress it up a bit, or if your floor is not exactly blemish-free and you want to disguise some minor stains, you can add concrete stain to the mix to give the floor a bit of color.
Professional Coatings
If you’re not up to doing the work yourself, or if your garage floor already has multiple problems, like severe stains and cracks, your best bet is to hire professionals to coat the garage floor for you. While professional floor coatings are more expensive, you’ll also get more bang for your buck – once installed, a professional coating can last for ten years or more.
Before your coating is applied, installers will first check the moisture levels of your garage floor, grind the floor with a diamond grinder, and repair damage and fill in cracks. The coating is designed to fill in the pores of the concrete, and the installers will top it with flakes and sealant, creating a hard, long-lasting floor finish.
For more information about the best options to repair or protect your garage floor, contact us for a free design consultation and estimate.{{cta(‘4e0ca529-46da-44c8-acce-dd815d6ec4bc’,’justifycenter’)}}
