Concrete floor repair (deep damage)

[TheBigChill]

Hey guys,

GJ newcomer here. I've searched the forum and found some pertinent threads related to what I'm facing, but none are quite as bad as mine.

The issue: I have an approximately 15 x 13' garage with an ancient concrete floor, and it's pretty well destroyed in several parts. I have everything from shallow spalling in some areas, to 3 x 7' areas that are missing 2" of material.

*What I'd like to focus on right now is the ramp into the garage (which is crumbling apart) and the area within the garage that the overhead door meets when closed. Because there is so much material missing here, the garage door doesn't seal and it lets water, garbage, dust, critters, etc into the garage. I figure that leveling this area is a good place to start.*

Caveats: I don't own this property, and while I have permission to do this handy work as a renter, I don't want to pay a ton of $$ to do this. A few hundred is fine, as I won't live here forever.

The Question: What should I use to repair this? I've seen the Legacy products, but frankly, they're too pricey for the quantity. I've also seen a product called MG Krete 1260, which looks promising. Are there any big box or hardware store options that would tackle this job? Quikrete Sand / Topping Mix ? Vinyl Patcher? Anything else?

The Photos / Horror: Attached images.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Hey guys,

GJ newcomer here. I've searched the forum and found some pertinent threads related to what I'm facing, but none are quite as bad as mine.

The issue: I have an approximately 15 x 13' garage with an ancient concrete floor, and it's pretty well destroyed in several parts. I have everything from shallow spalling in some areas, to 3 x 7' areas that are missing 2" of material.

*What I'd like to focus on right now is the ramp into the garage (which is crumbling apart) and the area within the garage that the overhead door meets when closed. Because there is so much material missing here, the garage door doesn't seal and it lets water, garbage, dust, critters, etc into the garage. I figure that leveling this area is a good place to start.*

Caveats: I don't own this property, and while I have permission to do this handy work as a renter, I don't want to pay a ton of $$ to do this. A few hundred is fine, as I won't live here forever.

The Question: What should I use to repair this? I've seen the Legacy products, but frankly, they're too pricey for the quantity. I've also seen a product called MG Krete 1260, which looks promising. Are there any big box or hardware store options that would tackle this job? Quikrete Sand / Topping Mix ? Vinyl Patcher? Anything else?

The Photos / Horror: Attached images.

I would not touch this project. Sorry but this is not a 'repair' kind of project.

 

[blair683]

Why would you put any money into somebody else's property? If I were you, I'd deal with it until you move. That project is more like a couple thousand dollars rather a couple hundred dollars.

 

[TheBigChill]

Garage Flooring: I wouldn't expect a tile / coating specialist to have interest or even experience in repairing issues with concrete, beyond very shallow spalling. I'm not trying to resolve this with tiles or a resurfacer. Thanks.

Blair: Because I have a very nice car that lives in that garage, which is being constantly covered by dust and dampness, even with a cover. If I can simply repair, even temporarily, some of the biggest offending areas of the garage, I'd be in a better spot than I am now. I have no plans to move in the immediate future.

To reiterate: I understand that everyone will say "tear it all out and repour", but that's not going to happen. So what else do you have for suggestions of materials? That's what I'm asking.

 

[Mike99]

Heres an idea. Im just going through a garage floor project myself. If you have the energy and your land lord allows you could haul away the old concrete and fill in with gravel. Probably only cost you a couple of hundred bucks and 1/4 down packs like concrete. You would have to do all the work yourself or costs go up dramatically. I'm paying $35 per yard and you will likely need 6 or 7 yards. There are calculators on line. If you have time and a trailer and muscle there is your answer.

 

[Mike99]

Actually why go 5 inches just put down a couple and deal with the slight drop.Depends on how thick the pad is of course.

 

[ForceFed70]

There's no easy repair for the floor I see. You'd need to jackhammer out the whole 3' strip as well as the ramp and the asphalt beneath.

It's repairable/doable but it's also a project that I think a renter should avoid. Way too much money and effort to invest in property that doesn't belong to you.

 

[Radix2]

Do you have second access to that garage? Placing a 2x4 against the bottom when closed will greatly improve the seal.

You could hose out the loose material, let dry a bit and trowel yourself a new threshold from one of the bagged patching cements from the home center for not much money. May not last long, may last long enough, cheap, but some labor.

 

[TheBigChill]

I appreciate the insight, Mike. Although, total removal of the floor would be too much for me, and the landlord wouldn't allow total removal. The section of the floor that I've shown is the part I'm most worried about fixing right now, just so the door seals shut a bit better.

Am I wrong in thinking that I could clean, patch/fill, and level that one section and have it remain intact for a couple of years?

 

[ForceFed70]

I appreciate the insight, Mike. Although, total removal of the floor would be too much for me, and the landlord wouldn't allow total removal. The section of the floor that I've shown is the part I'm most worried about fixing right now, just so the door seals shut a bit better.

Am I wrong in thinking that I could clean, patch/fill, and level that one section and have it remain intact for a couple of years?

It'll start cracking and failing almost immediately. Might get a couple of years out of it tho.

 

[TheBigChill]

Do you have second access to that garage? Placing a 2x4 against the bottom when closed will greatly improve the seal.

You could hose out the loose material, let dry a bit and trowel yourself a new threshold from one of the bagged patching cements from the home center for not much money. May not last long, may last long enough, cheap, but some labor.

I have a door in from the backyard- yes. The 2x4 would then be sitting on the same uneven concrete. I don't see how this could improve the seal.

I've been sweeping out the loose material recently, and my plan was as you just said: Trowel a new 10" wide threshold, just so the door seats flat when closed. I was going to try to do the same on the ramp. My question really is, what bagged material might work for this?

I agree with you all that there's a right way to do things, and also that investing in someone else's property isn't a great idea. However, it's driving me nuts, and I'd like to at least try something. I don't plan on living here more than another two years, max.

 

[mrvm]

Trowel a new 10" wide threshold, just so the door seats flat when closed. I was going to try to do the same on the ramp. My question really is, what bagged material might work for this

The right materials might look good enough if you have the skills but the finished project will only handle light foot traffic but will fail with any vehicle traffic.

 

[Hal]

Could you bust that area out clean, with square edges, and set two or three courses of pavers?

 

[TheBigChill]

The right materials might look good enough if you have the skills but the finished project will only handle light foot traffic but will fail with any vehicle traffic.

The MG Krete 1260 has a 12,000 psi compression strength. Are you saying this just because it will be a patch rather than new pour?

 

[ForceFed70]

The MG Krete 1260 has a 12,000 psi compression strength. Are you saying this just because it will be a patch rather than new pour?

Yes. The seal between the old and new concrete will fail and moisture will enter.

Concrete patching like you want to do rarely works well on sidewalks or patios subject just to foot traffic.

 

[cash68]

I would seriously just buy $20 bucket of hydraulic cement and patch it together, skim over the top. Won't last too long but will be much better than what you have, and it's not your property so this would be a hood/ghetto fix anyway.

 

[Dr Stan]

I must agree with the majority, leave it alone. It's not your property and I see no use of putting your time & $ into it which you'll loose upon moving out. It's not worth patching and the only real solution is to tear out & replace the floor.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Looking at those pics, you need to demo and re-pour.

For the record... Legacy repair products are reasonably priced for the permanent results they offer. How does the saying go? Do it once right or pay 2x.

Good luck and you came to the right place for some help, plenty of great people to give advice.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Looking at those pics, you need to demo and re-pour.

YEP !

Cut a line, remove what us there down to base. You might have to some more sand, but make sure you compact it well even with a hand tamper. Rent a mixer and buy Quikrete. Probably need about 20 bags.

 

[KnurledNut]

What about laying a piece of plate steel over the ramp?

 

[matt_i]

What about laying a piece of plate steel over the ramp?

That would be my suggestion but it would be slippery as heck when brand new. A used/scrap piece that had rusted some would have more tooth for the tire grip, but still an area to be cautious or it will result in a fast burnout!

One way to increase grip would be to mark a grid with a sharpie marker (thinking a 1" square grid for starters) and then put a little burst of mig weld at each intersection. It should result in a little mounded weld "dot" that should ideally be smooth enough not to damage a tire but offer plenty of traction. I'd run a gloved hand over the finished result just to make sure there weren't any burrs or wire shards sticking up, those could be dressed with a flap wheel/angle grinder.

Take steel plate with you when you move.

 

[Docbentley]

Garage Flooring: I wouldn't expect a tile / coating specialist to have interest or even experience in repairing issues with concrete, beyond very shallow spalling. I'm not trying to resolve this with tiles or a resurfacer. Thanks.

Blair: Because I have a very nice car that lives in that garage, which is being constantly covered by dust and dampness, even with a cover. If I can simply repair, even temporarily, some of the biggest offending areas of the garage, I'd be in a better spot than I am now. I have no plans to move in the immediate future.

To reiterate: I understand that everyone will say "tear it all out and repour", but that's not going to happen. So what else do you have for suggestions of materials? That's what I'm asking.

What kind of car? I might be able to "look after" it for a couple years till you move

 

[ddawg16]

Find another garage to rent....or save your money and buy a house with a garage...

DO NOT toss any money at that floor

 

[planeguy]

A counterpoint to all the folks who say to not waste your money fixing someone else's property....the first time I try my hand at anything I do not usually get results to live with.

The best case for a renter is to get the landlord commit to paying materials....put in the labor and take away the experience....Of course that's also why I don't let any renters do work on my property either poor execution that I have to live with is why I would say no but he has already given the okay for you to do something so even if you put out a few dollars you will learn something in the process.

I like the paver idea someone else had...probably the least $$ ...you can probably find base and bricks for little or nothin and splurge on some polymeric jointing sand to lock things down.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 that pavers are best "solution" for that ****-fest.

Even with that make=shift repair . . .
. . . I'd want the landlord to pay for materials if you're providing the labor free. Surely the landlord is collecting market-based rent so he's making money every month.

 

[agwoodwork]

What about a boot/seal on the bottom of the garage door to take up that gap better than it's currently doing? Something like this:

http://www.northshorecommercialdoor.com/ulrugadobowe.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwoLfHBRD_jLW93remyAQSJABIygGptio8PJX2v-RYv3FXpRmRUbqhlIhgmAWYYiX1luOmPRoCmarw_wcB

 

[jonesg]

What about a boot/seal on the bottom of the garage door to take up that gap better than it's currently doing? Something like this:

http://www.northshorecommercialdoor.com/ulrugadobowe.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwoLfHBRD_jLW93remyAQSJABIygGptio8PJX2v-RYv3FXpRmRUbqhlIhgmAWYYiX1luOmPRoCmarw_wcB

Thats the way to fly.

And astroturf or indoor/outdoor deck carpet on the floor.