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Garage tiles question

grabeb

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May 28, 2021
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I'm about ready to pull the trigger on some Racedeck flooring, but want to go over a few questions first.... FWIW, I'm watching a youtube review as well and I've been looking through other posts on the subject.

What I'm thinking is primarily a black field in diamond with the shock towers. Then the first two feet as you enter the garage go with a red free flow and use that to outline where the cars will park. I'm thinking a checked pattern with graphite/black and thinking diamond as well, debating the shock towers on those. The checkerboard would be 5 tiles wide (5') and one side about 20' deep, the other would go back further, maybe 25-28'. Waiting on samples.

Here are my questions and concerns:
1) The slab was poured very flat because I have a 4 post lift and I wanted it level. All is good MOST of the time. I have a 6" diameter floor drain up by the door, but they poured it so flat, water has to be broomed or squeegeed to it or it sits a day or two. Only an issue during the few snows and heavy rain when the cars come in wet. The dished the concrete about 2' diameter around the drain, which might set about 3/4" lower than surface. Can I just build that up with floor leveling and install another grate over it? (I had to cut this one down do to install error by concrete finisher, so maybe I can sit that part back over as I kept it)

2) No issues with the 4 post even if it lands on the freeflow?

3) What about running this into the bathroom before I set a toilet? Is this bad idea? I worry if bathroom "smells" will seep under the tile over time. Would I be better off going with some other option in the small bathroom area?

4) One of my main reasons for wanting to go with a covering is the concrete KILLS my knees. Anything helps. I use antifatigue mats, but they get scary when water gets under them. So I use a lot of old rugs and such where I walk....they get nasty.

5) Speaking of the floor being very flat, my thought is if I run the freeflow around the cars, then ice melt will go down and just evaporate vs moving around the garage. Any cause for concern with that logic? I'm in South Central Kansas, so winters are not generally long or horrible, but we do get snow. I heat the garage, so it's normally gone within a day or so. Don't need a mold/mildew issue though.

6) I also do some wood working in my garage and park off a rocked alley, so I get sawdust and rockdust in my garage. This is why I'm thinking mostly to go with the solid. I blow out the garage and/or sweep regularly and can shop vac as needed. Should I be good?

Any feedback on any of this? Anything else to consider?

***If I go shock towers on the solid, should I go all in and just do it all or save the $$$ along the walls and under cabinet areas and just pay attention to what goes where?
 
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dr.k

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Anyone else using the "shock towers"? Are you going to use them to protect yourself from more stress & Strain?
Sounds like a good idea.
 

kngelv

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James
 
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grabeb

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Anyone else using the "shock towers"? Are you going to use them to protect yourself from more stress & Strain?
Sounds like a good idea.
That is the plan. Looking over the garage again tonight, I think I can do the perimeter 2' without the shock towers to save a few $$$ as that's about 200 tiles that will have cabinets/rollaways over them. No need for the towers in those areas and a bit quicker shipping.
 

dr.k

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Can you use a floor jack on the "shock tower" tiles without ruining them. I assume jack stands must go on a wood base of some kind.
 
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grabeb

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That's my understanding as well. I have some diamond plate I'll likely cut for jack plates and maybe a piece for the rolling floor jack. Though I'd use the lift for most things.
 
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grabeb

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After this recent snow storm and with having a few sample tiles, I have a few additional questions.

My floor is pretty level and flat, so water does not easily go towards the drain. It just kind of hangs out where it lands. I had my 3 samples clipped together behind where I park and I've been playing with them....seeing how they react with the water, walking on them to get feel for noise and comfort, etc.

Here's my takeaway:
-They seem like they are much 'softer' than the concrete, so should be easier on knees and these don't have the Shock Towers.
-They definitely sit above the water, so that is nice. With the FreeFlow around the cars, I would not be walking in water when the snow melts off in winter. Definite bonus! BUT.....being that the floor is so flat, the water just sits. The areas where there are no tiles or pads or carpet, the concrete is pretty dry pretty fast. Under the rest it lives much longer. In fact even after a few days, I would move the tiles and there'd be sitting water. Is that going to cause me an issue? Mold, mildew, smells?

I know people say put landscape fabric under to reduce clicking noise, but I can only imagine that would make worse yet? Maybe I don't need that if I run with the Shock Towers?

I try to keep garage at about 50-60* 24/7, if I go out, I crank it up and get 60-70. Humidity in garage was low 30's during the snow storm, I think I'm mid 40's today and it's 55* out, so that is about where garage is as well. I 100% think the garage will stay warmer with the tiles, but the concrete under might stay cooler and thus slow the evaporation down more.

What are you guys seeing??
 
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grabeb

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I'm also curious, because i have a slight dish by the floor drain, is there a way to heat and sort of get these tiles to 'meld' into that dishing?? My only other real option is to self-level and bring that area flat. It's doable, but a 2 week holdup.
 

kngelv

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Landscape fabric is not necessary. Don't overthink it and just get the shock towers. I have them and love them. If you look at my thread in post#3 above then you should have all the info you need. Water sitting on three tiles is a lot different than a whole floor. I barely have a pitch because of my 4-post lift and there are no standing water issues under the tiles.

James
 

duneslider

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I think a fan keeping air moving in the garage when things are wet makes a huge difference. I know the puddles in my garage disappear much faster.
 
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grabeb

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I think a fan keeping air moving in the garage when things are wet makes a huge difference. I know the puddles in my garage disappear much faster.
you are 100% correct. The question is will that still help the water under the tiles? Like previous poster said, maybe it's not a big deal.
 
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