Advice on Garage Floor

[Skylarkman]

The most labor intensive part of my garage make over is proving more challenging than I could have imagined. After emptying the garage for the first time in 20 years, I can see the issues with my garage floor more clearly. Approximately 250 square feet and 70 yrs young, the slab is pretty ugly . Most of the cracks can be repaired with concrete repair caulking but some of the the stains are old and are not easily coming out . So far 2 power washing sessions have noticeably lightened the concrete ( first 2 photos) Mostly oil ( I think ) I’ve been using Zep concrete degreaser in the power washer and pouring the chemical directly on the stain and scrubbing with a brush. I am leaning toward the Rustoleum Rock Solid coating. but I know the floor will have to be much cleaner. The heat/ humidity will be increasing here in the north east soon , and realize this doesn’t help dry times . Any and all suggestions in prepping the floor are appreciated


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[SolarColumbia]

I'm wondering if there is any vapor barrier under that as I don't know when that practice came into use. If not, that could be a problem for putting down coating.

 

[Garage Flooring]

This floor is in pretty rough shape. I would look at doing garage floor tile or properly repairing the floor first. Ay minimum I would plan on grinding, repairing the cracks with 100% solids crack filler and filing in any large holes with an appropriate filler and then doing multiple coats. https://www.garageflooringllc.com/2020/05/31/toms-epoxy-project-amazing-concrete-crack-repair/

 

[Skylarkman]

I'm wondering if there is any vapor barrier under that as I don't know when that practice came into use. If not, that could be a problem for putting down coating.

Not familiar with vapor barrier’s used in concrete slabs. I’ve used a hammer drilling the floor previously and figured it’s around 5” in depth. What would I be looking for if I had one ?


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[SolarColumbia]

There would be a plastic sheet under the slab to prevent moisture coming up from the ground. If the concrete remains damp an epoxy coating may not adhere to the floor. You can purchase inexpensive calcium carbide test kits to see if the concrete is dry enough.

 

[Skylarkman]

There would be a plastic sheet under the slab to prevent moisture coming up from the ground. If the concrete remains damp an epoxy coating may not adhere to the floor. You can purchase inexpensive calcium carbide test kits to see if the concrete is dry enough.

Never had any moisture issues; good drainage in and around the garage.I read somewhere of a test to check the surface preparation that involved putting water on a few areas of the slab to see if the water beaded or absorbed into t the concrete. Would checking absorption in that mannered be a good test ?


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[SolarColumbia]

What you are describing is evaluating whether or not the concrete will absorb.

There is the method for testing dryness where you tape down the edges of 18" sheets of plastic in a couple of areas and after 24 hours see if any moisture is present underneath. It's not very accurate but better than nothing.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Agree, this looks like a candidate for mechanical prep with a grinder, or just overlaying garage tiles like our www.supratile.com or something similar.

 

[RaceDeck1]

there are a few options and one is RACEDECK.. the current condition of your floor is one where RaceDeck can solve the issues easily and fast.

 

[Garage Flooring]

@RaceDeck1 Definitely

 

[BigGarage]

The most labor intensive part of my garage make over is proving more challenging than I could have imagined. After emptying the garage for the first time in 20 years, I can see the issues with my garage floor more clearly. Approximately 250 square feet and 70 yrs young, the slab is pretty ugly . Most of the cracks can be repaired with concrete repair caulking but some of the the stains are old and are not easily coming out . So far 2 power washing sessions have noticeably lightened the concrete ( first 2 photos) Mostly oil ( I think ) I’ve been using Zep concrete degreaser in the power washer and pouring the chemical directly on the stain and scrubbing with a brush. I am leaning toward the Rustoleum Rock Solid coating. but I know the floor will have to be much cleaner. The heat/ humidity will be increasing here in the north east soon , and realize this doesn’t help dry times . Any and all suggestions in prepping the floor are appreciated


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My garage floor looked much like yours. Years of abuse and spilled liquids and paint overspray. I also used the Zep degreaser and scrubbed with a brush. Then I acid etched, rinsed, primed & painted. It all depends on how much you want to spend. I'm very happy with mine.

Dennis

 

[Rorin67]

I vote for garage tiles all day long on that floor...

 

[Skylarkman]

My garage floor looked much like yours. Years of abuse and spilled liquids and paint overspray. I also used the Zep degreaser and scrubbed with a brush. Then I acid etched, rinsed, primed & painted. It all depends on how much you want to spend. I'm very happy with mine.

Dennis

What type of tiles did you use ?


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[Skylarkman]

I vote for garage tiles all day long on that floor...

I do like the look of some of the tiles I’ve seen. Only con with the tiles is floor jack and jack stand damage to them


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[Crowbarman55]

I have Racedeck flooring and love it. I find if you care enough to cover your concrete with anything to protect it and make it look good, you can just put a couple of pieces of plywood under your jacks and stands exc.. to protect the new floor too. I use some thin hardboard under mine. It works great.
I agree with others, Racedeck or similar tiles will work great on that floor.
Todd

 

[RaceDeck1]

Crowbarman55 - I can see you have a cool ride ( and garage) in your avatar.. ​

 

[Shea]

I do like the look of some of the tiles I’ve seen. Only con with the tiles is floor jack and jack stand damage to them


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Not if you use the right jack stands...

 

[rburke65]

At 250 sq. ft., I would be a proponent of removing the floor and placing a new concrete floor. You could have a new floor for under 4 yards of concrete.

 

[Crowbarman55]

Crowbarman55 - I can see you have a cool ride ( and garage) in your avatar.. ​

Thank you sir.
Todd

 

[CJDave]

+1 on using the proper jack stands or the floor will dent. I have had no issues with my floor jack, or a loaded engine hoist or a loaded engine stand. Love my RaceDeck Free Flow. CJDave.

 

[Derek91]

If the cracks are in plane, use ditra as an uncoupling membrane and run porcelain tile with in field expansion joints (schluter bwb). You can grind the floor and run a 12x12 tile for a more forgiving job. Then epoxy grout for the win.

 

[428PI]

Plastic flooring is about as expensive as ripping out the concrete and starting new.

 

[RaceDeck1]

Plastic flooring is about as expensive as ripping out the concrete and starting new.

Have you check the cost of concrete - It was already very expensive to have an old slab and proper slab installed,... Concrete is up 150% over since January. For around $3 to $3.75 ft, you can put RaceDeck over that floor and not worry about for many many years.. not to mention you'd be done in just a few hours

 

[428PI]

Concrete is up 150% over since January

I haven't checked but concrete itself is a fraction of the cost of the job.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Numbers we are hearing with current pricing is that tiles would be 40-50% of the cost of replacing the concrete.

 

[CJDave]

I haven't checked but concrete itself is a fraction of the cost of the job.

428Pi, is your screen name a reflection of the engine in your ride? CJDave.

 

[428PI]

428Pi, is your screen name a reflection of the engine in your ride? CJDave.

Yes, my first car was a 65 Galaxie with a 390. My brother helped me overhaul it when I was a Sophomore in High School. It wasn't fast enough so I found a 68 428 police interceptor out of a Mercury in the junk yard. Overhauled it and stuffed it in there.

 

[CJDave]

Yes, my first car was a 65 Galaxie with a 390. My brother helped me overhaul it when I was a Sophomore in High School. It wasn't fast enough so I found a 68 428 police interceptor out of a Mercury in the junk yard. Overhauled it and stuffed it in there.

Cool story. My '69 Mach 1 has a 428 Cobra Jet. CJDave.