how to repair damaged garage floor

• Empty the garage. ...
• Demolish and remove the current flooring.
• Excavate deeper to reach solid ground.
• Repair the foundation or reinforce as necessary.
• Install a geotextile membrane.
• Set up a drain for the garage.
• Fill in the area with gravel (3/4”) and compact it.
• Put in place a vapor barrier.
• Install wire mesh or fiber mesh as reinforcement.

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Full Answer

How to refinish your garage floor?

• Prepare and Repair – If your garage floor concrete surface has an existing coating or treatment, we start by removing the old finish. ...
• Clean and Prime – We mop and let your concrete slab thoroughly dry. ...
• Mix Product – Following instructions, we will mix the concrete refinisher to prepare it for application. ...

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How to properly clean a garage floor?

Number 3: How to Deep Clean Garage

1. Make Use of Garage Floor Cleaner Home Depot. Before sweeping the floors, you have to perform cleaning job using chemical solutions. ...
2. Sweep the Floor. When the solution is prepared, it’s time to sweep it. ...
3. Use A Power Washer for Grimy or Soiled Garage Floor. ...
4. Use A Buffer to Get the Best Result. ...

How to keep your garage floor looking new?

Seven Things to Consider

• Garage Door. The biggest question facing most garage conversions is what to do about the garage door. ...
• Floor. A typical garage sits on an uninsulated concrete slab, which may be several inches below the floor level inside the house.
• Heating and Cooling. ...
• Wiring. ...
• Plumbing. ...
• Loss of Storage and Parking. ...
• Blending In. ...

How to resurface a garage floor.?

Method 3 Method 3 of 4: Paint the Surface Download Article

1. Gather all the paint brushes, rollers and trays you need to paint. ...
2. Mix the concrete epoxy paint. Concrete epoxy coating will come in 2 cans: an epoxy paint and a hardener.
3. Paint the edges. Use a paint brush to paint the trim area around the entire garage or basement surface.
4. Paint the floor using a roller brush. ...

Can a crumbling garage floor be repaired?

Fortunately, a pitted and spalled garage floor is repairable. Here's a quick overview of the process. Cleaning — The first step is to clean the garage floor. This means anything sticking to the surface — dirt, mold, road salt — will need to be scrubbed off.

How do I make my garage floor look new again?

Follow these steps to keep your garage floor looking like new:First spray the garage floor. ... Fill a bucket with 2 gallons of hot water and 1 cup of laundry detergent. ... Start scrubbing the floor with the stiff brush. ... Get the hose again and rinse the detergent away, again starting at the back and working towards the door.More items...

How do you resurface a damaged concrete floor?

0:454:28How to Resurface Concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore resurfacing your slab deeply spalled areas and large cracks should be repaired using concreteMoreBefore resurfacing your slab deeply spalled areas and large cracks should be repaired using concrete resurfacer that has been mixed to a triable consistency.

How do I redo my garage floor?

0:483:52Garage Makeover: The Floor (Full Video) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe need those off the surface first and once those are all loosened up we can then vacuum the entireMoreWe need those off the surface first and once those are all loosened up we can then vacuum the entire surface. And then we're ready to spray it down with the hose it.

Should I paint or epoxy My garage floor?

SHOULD I USE PAINT OR A COATING? An epoxy coating is the best choice for high-performance flooring. Coatings provide long-lasting durability in garages, where they have to stand up to hot tires, oil spills and more. They are also good for industrial floors, warehouses, locker rooms and other high-traffic spaces.

Can you epoxy a pitted garage floor?

For larger areas of pitting and spalling, we recommend using a 100% epoxy concrete patch with a sand aggregate. The silica sand is mixed in with the epoxy to act as a filler. Legacy Industrial's 5-Ton Epoxy Patch Kit is a good example of this.

Can old concrete be resurfaced?

Concrete resurfacing is a way to make old concrete look new again. A concrete coating is applied over the existing surface, offering a variety of color, texture and pattern options. This type of decorative refinishing can be done on driveways, patios, pool decks and even indoor floors.

How long does quikrete concrete resurfacer last?

This new layer is specially made to adhere to the old concrete. It's extremely durable while being relatively thin and can last 10-20+ years if properly installed by a Pro and cared for. So yes it can last. Concrete resurfacing provides a like new finish at an affordable price.

Can you pour concrete over concrete?

You can put new concrete over old concrete. However, unresolved issues with your old concrete, such as cracks or frost heaves, will carry over to your new concrete if not taken care of. In addition, you must pour it at least 2 inches thick.

Is it worth it to epoxy garage floor?

Epoxy flooring protects the underlying concrete from moisture, stains, grease and cracks. In the long run, this can save you a great deal on cleaning and maintenance costs by eliminating the need to clean carpet or grout. It's also very reasonably priced for the duration and level of protection that it offers.

What is the best thing to put on a garage floor?

Top 5 Recommended Flooring Options for GaragesPolished Concrete Flooring – The Best of All. ... Epoxy Flooring – The Smart and Feasible Option. ... Rubber Tile Flooring – Easy to Install or DIY Option. ... Vinyl Flooring – For Low Traffic Garages. ... Stone Flooring – Excellent but Expensive Option.

How do you repair concrete garage floor?

Clean the slab and fill deep holes and cracksClean the slab and fill deep holes and cracks. Start with a clean floor. ... Remove the loose stuff. ... Concrete Floor Patch: Fill cracks, craters, divots and pits. ... Create a dam. ... Spread it smooth, then let it set.

How do I make my concrete garage floor shine?

Quick and Easy: Ammonia and Water Your mixture should be a gallon of hot water to five ounces of ammonia. Like you would with concrete floor polish, make sure a window or the garage door is open and start working at a back corner, mopping the floor towards the entryway.

How do I get the shine back on my epoxy floor?

First, sweep away any dust and debris from the area. Then, mix five ounces of clear ammonia per gallon of hot water. Soak a hard foam mop in the solution and completely scrub the soiled area. Mopping epoxy flooring with this mixture removes many types of stains without hurting the epoxy coating.

How do I make my garage floor epoxy shine?

Clean the epoxy with hot water and dry it using a squeegee. That's enough to give the floor a shiny look. If there are still spots left, you might want to invest in an all-purpose surface cleaner. Dip and wring a soft cloth in the product and rub off the stains by hand.

How do I restore the shine to my epoxy garage floor?

It's very important to use a mild cleaner and one that is not acidic. We recommend using a solution of 1/2 cup ammonia to one gallon of hot water. We have found that microfiber mop heads work best.

How much does a concrete resurfacer cost?

Concrete “resurfacer” is a cement-based coating that forms a smooth, new surface right over the old concrete. The cost of resurfacer for a two-car garage is typically less than $200.

How long to let resurfacer sit in bucket?

Take two minutes to read the directions before mixing. The key to a smooth, lump-free mix is to let the resurfacer 'slake,' that is, sit in the bucket for a few minutes after the initial mixing.

How long does it take to resurface a garage floor?

Cleaning and resurfacing the floor usually takes one day (on the other hand, clearing out your garage so you can work may take weeks!). Spreading the resurfacer smoothly is the trickiest part of the project, so it helps to have some experience with concrete or drywall finishing.

Can you use a stripper to remove sealer from concrete?

Important: If you find that the cleaner doesn’t soak into the concrete but just beads up into droplets on the surface, you have a sealer over the concrete that you’ll need to remove. In that case, apply a stripper first to remove the sealer, then clean.

Is every editorial product independently selected?

Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.

How do I repair a garage floor after deicer damage?

How to repair your garage floor after de-icer damage. To remove any salt stains left behind (normally in the spring when the moisture has evaporated from the concrete), first, thoroughly clean the garage floor. This will expose all areas that need attention.

Why does my garage floor freeze?

When the temperature in your garage drops too low, this moisture freezes despite the presence of de-icers, creating upward and inward pressure as the freezing water expands and leading to flaking and even cracking of the garage floor. The more the temperature fluctuates during the winter, the more frequently this freeze-thaw cycle will take place.

How does winter weather affect a garage?

It also affects garage flooring by leaving salt stains and other marks on the concrete surface.

How to get rid of soapy residue on concrete?

Finally, rinse away the soapy residue with a little water. Be aware that if you rinse with water before using the wet-vac or mop, or if you power-wash, the de-icing salts may get pushed back into the pores of the concrete and continue to give you trouble later on.

Can you paint cracks in epoxy?

For cracks, look for an epoxy, poly-urea, or poly-urethane-based crack filler to ensure it can be sanded down flush to the floor, painted, and will not shrink (water or latex based crack fillers cannot be sanded, cannot be painted, and will ultimately shrink and re-expose the crack).

How wide can a crack in a garage floor be?

Before Fixing Cracks in Your Garage Floor. Cracks in the concrete can be very thin and minor, or they can be more than an inch wide and they can span the entire length of your garage. Most of them fall somewhere in between once they start to become noticeable and attract enough attention to have a homeowner looking for solutions.

What does it mean when a crack in a floor is bulging?

When the crack is bulging out of the floor, that’s a sign that the foundation has shifted and contracted a bit, pushing up the bulging area. This is something that a professional can evaluate.

What does it mean when a garage crack is structurally caused?

Structurally-caused cracks, on the other hand, are a warning sign that there’s something more serious that needs to be fixed. Especially if it propagates along the entire length of your standard garage size.

What to do if you have a crack in concrete?

If there are any loose pebbles or small stones inside of the crack in your concrete, make sure to get them out of the way. The same goes for any concrete alternatives including wood or rammed earth. A ShopVac will do a good enough job of removing dirt, debris, stones, and whatever else may be in there.

Is it better to use a filler product for longer cracks?

It’s better for longer cracks. It tidies everything up, and turns a crack that could be tricky to fill into one straighter route. This makes it easier to fill it in, and helps you get the filler-product into any smaller cracks that may not otherwise accommodate it correctly.

Can a garage floor crack?

No matter how nice your garage floor is when it’s first installed, and regardless of how well you take care of it, you’ll eventually get a garage floor crack that needs repair. The ground around your garage will shift, and the brunt of that will be felt by the floor since your garage doesn’t have a basement or a deeper foundation (in most cases).

Can you mix filler yourself?

For smaller cracks, self-mixing filler is a good choice. For larger and longer cracks, you’ll probably find it more economical and practical to mix the filler yourself.

What is the difference between pockmarks and spalling?

Concrete cracks are easy to repair so long as they’re not structural. Spalling is the pockmarks that come from freezing and thawing. Aging causes pitting, which looks like spalling but with deeper holes.

What are the symptoms of a garage floor?

Laitance and Efflorescence. Some visible symptoms will help you diagnose the garage floor problem. Two of these symptoms are laitance and efflorescence. Both are caused by water moving through the concrete. Laitance in concrete. Laitance is a mixture of particles that move up through the concrete while curing.

How do I fix a crack in my garage floor?

How do you fix a garage floor crack? Use a wire brush, a hammer and cold chisel, or an angle grinder with a crack chasing wheel to loosen and break off nearby concrete. Vacuum away all concrete debris. Fill the crack with epoxy based concrete crack filler. Learn more …

Why is my garage floor wet?

The moisture barrier prevents the concrete from constantly pulling moisture out of the ground. If your garage floor is constantly wet or damp, you may have a water problem from either excessive ground water, a breach in the moisture barrier or a leaking pipe.

What is spalling in concrete?

Spalling is freeze-thaw water damage. A top layer of concrete peels or crumbles away, exposing aggregate underneath. Pitting consists of small holes that are deeper than the spalling damage. Pitting can be caused by poor installation or age.

Why is my concrete floor crumbly?

If the top layer of your floor is a crumbly and sandy it is because it was mixed with too much water. Efflorescence in concrete. Efflorescence is essentially salt (calcium chloride) stains. Concrete is porous and allows water to transfer through it.

What does it mean when your garage floor is puddled?

a persistent puddle in one area of the garage. If your garage floor shows any of these symptoms, then there might be a serious underlying problem. There might be a large accumulation of water attacking the floor from underneath. If your garage floor has a water problem, it will soon have a structural problem, too.