A garage floor has to take a lot of abuse. Garage floors support heavy vehicles in addition to other items. They’re prone to catching oil leaks as well as leaks and spills of a variety of other types of fluids or chemicals. On top of that, they’re often subjected to extreme temperatures. Your garage can get very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. Even the highest traffic floor inside the main part of the house probably doesn’t see a fraction of the activity that your garage floor sees. When you look at your garage floor and see the stains, cracks, and crumbles that result from all of this pressure and activity, should you repair or replace the garage floor? Take a look at some things to consider to help you decide.
Are There Multiple Cracks? 
If you have one crack in your garage floor, you may be able to delay replacing it with a concrete patch and a floor coating. Chances are that more cracks will appear eventually, but if the damage is currently minor and confined to one small space, you probably can get by with a simple repair.
However, if you look at your floor and see multiple cracks, crumbling concrete, or a sunken floor slab, it’s a good sign that it’s time for a new floor. Even if these problems are fixable, they’re a good sign that the floor is just going to continue to degrade. In the long run, it may be less expensive to just replace the floor than to continue fixing the problems as they arise.
Are the Stains too Tough to Get Out?
If the problem is that the floor is stained, but otherwise in good shape, it’s definitely worth trying to simply clean and repair the floor. Concrete can easily become stained because of its porous nature, and car fluids and other garage chemicals are notoriously difficult to remove, but it can be done.
A pressure washer is an easy and effective tool that you can use to remove a lot of stains without the need to spend hours scrubbing. Adding a degreaser to the water can give the cleaning action an extra boost. If you still have oil and grease stains, you may be able to get rid of them by applying full strength degreaser to the area and letting it sit for a while before scrubbing it.
Rust stains can often be removed with white vinegar, or oxalic acid if the stain is particularly stubborn. Chemical strippers can be useful in removing old paint or sealant from the floor. If you remove the stain but find that the concrete underneath is still discolored, painting or staining the floor can solve the problem. A stained garage floor doesn’t usually need to be replaced.
Are You Tired of Looking At the Same Old Floor?
A good sign that your garage floor needs to be replaced instead of simply repaired is if you really dislike the current floor.
The garage can be an important room. It stores your vehicle and other valuable items. It often doubles as a workshop or creative space. For many homeowners, the garage is the main entry point to the main house. It can also be a handy space for recreation or social gatherings. Because the garage is such a versatile and important room, it’s natural for you to want it to look attractive.
A garage floor does not have to be a plain concrete slab. You have many garage floor options, from epoxy to roll-out vinyl to colorful interlocking tiles. You can paint, stain, or seal the floor. There is even carpeting specifically designed to stand up to garage conditions if you think you’d like to try a carpeted garage floor. There’s no reason to stick with your current garage floor if you don’t like looking at it.
When your garage needs improvements or upgrades, you have a variety of options to choose from. Whether you’re looking to replace the floor, upgrade your garage storage, or convert the garage into living space, you have a range of choices. For more great garage renovation ideas, schedule a Free design consultation and estimate.
