destroyed concrete floor ideas?

[VisitorJim]

I just found this forum and could not find anything really like my situation.

I recently purchased a house in NJ that has a detacted 2-car that was built in the 40's or 50's. From what I can tell the garage was built as a dirt floor and someone poured about 1" of concrete over that dirt. i know it's about an inch or two thick because it has broken into a bunch of pieces. The walls are not footed into concrete from what I can tell.

The garage itself probably needs to be torn down and re-built because it is basically falling down, but that is a big chunk of change that I cannot afford right now. I'm also not sure how long I'll be in this house, and don't want to sink a bunch of money I won't get back when I sell. I'd like to get 2-3 years out of the garage the way it is now, by then i'll know what my timeline is in this house.

I guess I'm looking for idea's that will not cost a bunch that will allow me to work on my Jeep without getting stabbed in the back by uneven/broken concrete. I was thinking about re-pouring or maybe doing a wood floor? re-pouring seems like a waste of time and a wood floor may invite rodents(which i just finished getting rid of).


I'll try to get pictures up to be a contestant on "worst garage ever".

-Jim

 

[mhm993]

I'm not sure I'm thrilled with this suggestion, but maybe that sheet vinyl garage flooring that comes in large (like 8x20) rolls? At least it's portable to the next garage.
Welcome to GJ.

 

[VisitorJim]

The vinyl stuff could work if i put down some sort of flat surface underneath. someone in the past had a buick skylark parked on the thin cement (i know because i found part of the nameplate under some of the broken concrete) the floor is not even close to being flat.

I really need pictures to convey the horror that is my garage.

I cannot see how i can fix the floor without removing what is currently there.

Maybe i'll just deal with it for a few years while I save up to replace the garage - If i do it right maybe i'll get the money back when I sell the place. maybe?

 

[DOUGD]

I used a very fine road base to replace an old termite and rodent infested wood floor in a similar situation,if you can raise your floor several inches without causing door problems I would just add it on top of the old concrete. Although I would not recomend it for working on a vehicle when you are using jacks or stands, it is excelent for parking on and storage. If you request a very fine mix it is very easy to work with,as it shovels and levels easy and will pack down and get very firm with a little moisture and use.Its not quite concrete but its not mud or gravel either,fairly inexpensive and can be reused for fill if you build a new garage in the future.

 

[mhm993]

^^quarry mix?

 

[FredB]

Lowes has 3ft by 2ft interlocking rubber mats, I used some in a gravel floor crawlspace to get the rocks not to dig into my back and knees, while working in there.

 

[willymakeit]

I used a very fine road base to replace an old termite and rodent infested wood floor in a similar situation,if you can raise your floor several inches without causing door problems I would just add it on top of the old concrete. Although I would not recomend it for working on a vehicle when you are using jacks or stands, it is excelent for parking on and storage. If you request a very fine mix it is very easy to work with,as it shovels and levels easy and will pack down and get very firm with a little moisture and use.Its not quite concrete but its not mud or gravel either,fairly inexpensive and can be reused for fill if you build a new garage in the future.

Mix portland in with this and it helps alot.

 

[rieferman]

+1 on the interlocking mats. My barn floor was similarly in bad shape when I first was in the space, and the mats made it tolerable for a few years until I had it re-poured properly. And I still use the mats on the new floor to help my knees and back.