Can't find the answer to my RaceDeck ?

[expatriated]

I've read dozens and dozens of racedeck threads but can't find the answer to my question--does water fall through the seams where the tiles join?

Winter can get very messy in the garage with slush, salt, etc, etc, draining off the car and sitting on the concrete. I'm looking for something that I can hose down or throw a bucket of hot water on and then squeegie off, pushing the **** outside.

I wonder if water gets down through the seams and if so, this seems like it would damage the concrete just the same, right?

I don't have a drain or anything in the garage, just a slight slope.

I love the concept of racedeck and like the fact I can change the design and color fairly easily so I'd rather go with that than some sort of epoxy but durability is paramount.

What say you guys?

Thanks!!

 

[sgrammel]

From what I have learned, the seams are not water tight so some liquid will seep through. Most of the water though would sit on top since most of the surface area is the tile and very little is the seam. I also understand that there is an air gap under the tiles to allow for evaporation and water flow (like it would on a bare floor).

I am sure RaceDeck1 can provide more detailed explanation as he is CEO or RD

 

[mikeyr]

correct, the seams are very tight, most of the water will not go through them and flow on top of the tiles BUT they are not water tight, there will be seepage.

There is a also air flow to allow things to dry, twice in the last 10 years my garage got flooded, not badly 2-3" of water, the tiles just float on top and look good, then you step on them in your socks and go "oh poop" as the tiles sink and your feet get cold and wet. After the rain stops, it takes a few days for the water to keep weeping out from under the tiles but I never pulled them up to dry underneath until we moved earlier this year, concrete was as good as new underneath and no mold/mildew.

 

[expatriated]

Good info, guys. I'm concerned about the salt residue sitting under the tiles but maybe it's not that big of a deal. I'll wait and here what the racedeck guys say when they weigh in.

The way I understand it, the tiles sit up with spacing underneath so if water does get under it, it continues to drain with the slope as it would without tiles on it? So that maybe water seeps out through the front edging over time?

 

[avalon652]

I was worried about the same thing and finally came to the conclusion that this is an obvious issue; and if it DID cause a problem it would be all over these forums...I don't think RD could survive as a company if any type of mold or mildew collected as a result of their product...

I think you'll be fine!

 

[jtillery]

The RaceDeck is designed to fit together as tightly as possible, however there still is a little gap. If you leave a puddle of water on the floor for hours it will slowly seep between the cracks, but hydrostatic tension makes it happen very slowly. If you wipe it up reasonably quick no water will get through. That being said, it doesn't matter if water gets through, the understructure of the tile is designed to allow full drainage of any liquids. Whatever gets under there will run out just like it would if no tile was down.

RaceDeck is an excellent product, in my opinion it is the only way to guarantee good results on your garage floor. Epoxy looks very nice, and alot of people prefer it, but to do it properly it will cost just as much as RaceDeck and you still have all the increased prep time and possibility of install failure of the epoxy.

I chose RaceDeck for my 3200 sq ft shop, it has been down for 6-8 months and I am really happy with it.

 

[TONE]

I had racedeck down for about 4-5 years in my last home.

Its now in my new home.

I never paid an ounce of attention to pushing water/snow/slush out of my garage.

I live in Chicago so winters are brutal.

Anyway, when we where moving I pulled up the floor. Yeah it was dirty but nothing was wrong at all with the concrete.

I simply swept it then gave it a once over mopping.

Done deal.