Garage Floor Recommendation and Obstacles

[snohobo]

Hi Folks,

I am looking into redoing/upgrading my garage floor - and need a little bit of advice.

The garage is 60x20ft and runs the entire lenght of the house. The house was built in 1927. The floor is almost flat - but shifting and cracking has occured in some spots.

I am wondering what options we have in restoring this garage on a budget.

We would like to fill the cracks - and put some sort sort of covering whether it be an epoxy, some of those garage type interlocking tiles or garage floor coverings - or potentially a concrete overlay (not sure if this is possible).

The plan is to make the floors look as goos as possible keeping in mind that it is no onger perfectly flat and has some cracks in it.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Posting the images in this thread did not work - simply click here and view the first 10 photos to get an idea of the garage.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/snohobo/

 

[boiler7904]

I noticed that this is your first post. Welcome. As you've probably figured out, you'll find all kinds of ideas (and ways to blow through your budget) here.

The first couple of pics look there is a significant difference in surface elevation. The right way to do it is removal and replacement of existing for a couple of reasons:

1. There's a reason why it moved. Need to fix that problem before considering an epoxy or tile finish.
2. Overlays will crack and spall (chip) unless you can get at least 2" or 3" of cover (min) over the entire floor.
3. Loss of headroom (unless this doesn't bother you)
4. Overlay will have problems meeting existing doors, drains, etc. Gets to be a lot of work to make the overlay even close to working.

Is it possible to salvage the good area(s) and replace individual sections of the concrete? As nice as epoxy and tile floors are, you'll be happier in the long run if you can repair and level the concrete first. I know it's not how you want to spend your money, but it's the right way to go about it.

 

[snohobo]

Thanks - I look forward to documenting the progress and getting loads of ideas/advice here.

I was afraid someone was going to mention the elevation change. The floor is by all means - not flat. I was going to order some sort of roll on covering but looked closely at the floor and saw the uneveness.

This is the garage in a beautiful San Francisco home - which is prone to quakes. It has held up beautifully - and redoing the garage floor (as in replacing certain slabs) is not in the budget or in the five year vision.

We are redoing the walls (had to pull drywall to bolt house to foundation) and adding storage/cabinets/workbench/dual sink in garage. On top of a 2nd floor renovation - this leaves us not alternative but to deal with current garage floor.

Are there any alternatives to a decent looking garage floor without doing much to the floor other than filling the cracks and giving it a covering?

 

[SloppyDogDrool]

Just patch and level what you have and epoxy it yourself. I've used Rustoleum myself and like it for a cheap fix. Sounds like your looking at budget and that might be the best way to go. I don't see a whole lot of options without spending big $.

 

[wilbilt]

I'm assuming the garage is the ground floor and runs completely under the house? That is really cool. It will be a winner no matter what...

I suppose the best way would be to saw out and replace the bad sections. If, as you say, the house has held up well through the local upheavals, you could probably just patch the broken sections and cover with the finish of your choice.

Any variations will just add character...

 

[Cult Hero]

snohomo. Maybe you should get these guys to do your garage, you seem to be pretty good friends with them.

 

[neblinc]

Cult Hero

What does that link have to do with this topic?

 

[Cult Hero]

Cult Hero

What does that link have to do with this topic?

everything. Snohomo understands

 

[jloveridge]

Actually the pics of the garage are on the 2nd page.

It looks like you have some very bad spots with most of it being "not too bad". If you can get a professional estimate to fix the very bad spots it looks like you could epoxy it. It looks like the main part of the floor is not too bad. Is that how you see it? The really bad spots look to be along the edges in one area.

If you want to go really cheap you may be able to add to the sinking area and have it come out "OK". If there is more than you can see in the pictures, you may have a difficult time unless you get the big issues fixed by a professional.