Regular RaceDeck vs FreeFlow

[galaxy]

Hey guys, so I hope this hasn't been asked too many times. Did a short search and didn't find anything. Have always always always wanted RaceDeck flooring for a borderline show garage, but I have a dilemma. I really really really want the FreeFlow tile but I don't think it fits my lifestyle/usage. I want the freeflow because I love the looks and style, but not sure about using it as an active garage floor; rolling a jack around, laying on it, jack stands, normal maintenance, etc, etc. But here's the bigger reason. My claim to fame in life and my first love is detailing. I do 100% of my detailing indoors, year round. So I have a concern about the amount of water it would be exposed to. I know it would work good because the water would run down through the tile and not stand on the surface. But then what? I guess the water just pools up underneath the vents/tiles and just sits there until it evaporates or dries up?? Currently, my garage floor was designed with a pretty good slope to promote water run off, and plus I can just squeegee it out pretty darn easily. Thinking this isn't an option with the freeflow tiles? I don't want the water just standing under there causing humidity problems and such, especially in the winter.

And then with normal car maintenance, what happens when you have that accidental oil spill or a gallon of ****** fluid sloshes out of the pan? It's going to go through and just sit there as well.

Would you have to pull the tiles up to clean up messes like that?

Thoughts? Suggestions? As much as I want the freeflow for the look and style, I don't think it's the right choice. Talk me out of, or into it!

 

[CombatNinja]

Some of my thoughts:

First, I would never put down regular RaceDeck in a detailing garage even if it was free. Seriously, this is not going to work out.

Second, automotive fluids don't really seep down into regular RaceDeck unless you let them set there for ages. They are all too viscous and will pool on top where they can be wiped up. Trace amounts may get through but not much. You mentioned spilling a "gallon" of ****** fluid. That would probably be a case where you would want to pull up a couple of tiles (easy to do) and address it.

You did not mention the size or configuration of your garage but what if you have a double you might consider a "wet" side with free flow and a "dry" side with regular. If you are really into detailing consider waterproofing your walls on that side as well and maybe even putting in a big retractable curtain or barrier that could be pulled over to keep 99% of the water out of that dry side.

Another option would be to use regular RaceDeck all around the edges so you can roll carts and jacks around but put FreeFlow under the vehicles and on out the doors (provided you garage has a bit of slope) so the water can drain away. It isn't a perfect solution but it will cut your issues with water under the tile by 90%.

 

[RaceDeck1]

Hi Galaxy -

CombatNinja made some great points and the suggestion of using both FreeFlow and any of our solid top modular floor tile designs is a great option and is exactly what I have in my own personal garage. I live in the mountains where we get a lot of snow and road slop. I have an area where my truck parks and where I can wash cars in my garage all winter. The other areas are the TuffShield Diamond and we drive our other cars and park them there all year round. All of our floor have our full-suspension channel systems so fluids and moisture can flow freely. Also, it is very easy to pop out a single tile or section with our powerlocks (using a thin putty-knife) should you need to access the sub-floor.
Thank you for considering RaceDeck and happy holidays

 

[galaxy]

Hey guys, thanks for the comments. I think I need to clarify a couple of things...

My comment about that (proverbial) gallon of ****** fluid sloshing out all over the floor was in reference to the freeflow, not the regular tiles. If you had that accidental spill on the freeflow, all that fluid is going to flow down underneath the tiles necessitating the tile be removed to clean it up, Yes? But thanks racedeck1, I did not know they could be removed individually for cleaning. That helps a lot. Yes, I was not concerned about an oil spill on regular tiles.

Also,

First, I would never put down regular RaceDeck in a detailing garage even if it was free. Seriously, this is not going to work out.

...can you expand on why not? I work on a flat floor now. When I'm done with the washing and water, it takes me two seconds to squeegee my epoxy coated floor almost completely dry. Would that not be the same for regular tiles? You can't squeegee the freeflow cause the water is underneath. I understand there are channels to promote draining, but the bulk of the water is still gonna sit under there, correct? That's what concerns me.

My garage does have a bit of slope built in for draining out the door, but it doesn't get it completely out.

 

[SteveCh]

Once you've removed a tile or a block of them several times, it is so easy it's no issue. As said above, putty knife.

FreeFlow no issue for rolling jacks, or anything else. No issue for lying on, I do it a lot and find it comfortable. I have Freeflow in my main area and solid Racedeck in another area with a table saw and other like equipment. But where I work on the cars and other vehicles, all Freeflow.

For jack stands, I put down a scrap piece of plywood under each jack stand. Some things with sharp edges can mar the tile, but that goes for any plastic tile including the solid tiles. But for rolling jacks, etc., they roll freely over the Freeflow. I can even roll my very heavy table saw off the solid tiles onto the Freeflow area and back again when cleaning sawdust, etc. The transition between the two kinds of tile is really not even noticeable when pushing the saw. Non-issue.

 

[Shea]

Jacks actually roll more smoothly over the Free-Flow vs the solid top. However, kneeling on Free-Flow is not fun - it hurts. Laying on it is fine though.

 

[CombatNinja]

Also,
...can you expand on why not? I work on a flat floor now. When I'm done with the washing and water, it takes me two seconds to squeegee my epoxy coated floor almost completely dry. Would that not be the same for regular tiles? You can't squeegee the freeflow cause the water is underneath. I understand there are channels to promote draining, but the bulk of the water is still gonna sit under there, correct? That's what concerns me.

Regular RaceDeck is not watertight enough to wash cars on without a significant amount of water getting under the tiles. I live in the hot and humid southeast and would no doubt have a stinky, damp, moldy mess under there if I were to try that in my garage. St. Louis is not as moist and hot as my climate but it is close enough.

 

[CJDave]

With my FreeFlow I wash my Mach 1 in the garage and the water just follows the slope of the concrete floor to the overhead door and out under the door. My floor jack rolls fine as does my HF mechanics stool. +1 on a pad under the jack stands unless the stand has a turned under edge. 4 years and NO regrets. CJDave.

 

[galaxy]

So if I were to do a combo of freeflow and regular tiles, then safe to assume I would want freeflow tiles all the way to the outside door for water to drain out of the garage? In other words, don't put regular tiles between the freeflow tiles and the garage door which would block the path of the water?

Great tip ninja about regular tiles not being tight enough for water. Would not have thought of that one.

FYI, the garage has a couple off odd jinks and offsets here and there, but for all practical purposes it's 26x36. I'm driving myself completely bonkers trying to decide on colors and a pattern...to the point I'm thinking about going with the flat smoked oak tiles just to be done with it, lol. But then that doesn't work either with the detailing and all the water it will be exposed to. Also considering just a straight up traditional, no brainer, black and white checkerboard.

 

[CombatNinja]

Having a border row or two of regular RaceDeck near the door won't hurt anything if that keeps your look more consistent. Water will still drain under regular RaceDeck, you just won't get the help of rapid evaporation once it gets deep under the floor (think far away from any edges). What I advise regardless of what exact pattern you go with is to add a leaf blower to dry the car and the floor as part of your detailing regimen. It is the best thing bar none to dry a car because it is completely touchless and you can push 99% of the water right out the door. A leaf blower will have no issue pushing the water out from under a border of regular RaceDeck.

Oh, and please no black & white checkerboard. It is so overdone. Might as well "murder out" your car while you are at it.

 

[galaxy]

Oh, and please no black & white checkerboard. It is so overdone. Might as well "murder out" your car while you are at it.

Hahahhahahaha....I actually completely agree, but I was born completely void of any artistic or design gene. If I go checkerboard, it won’t be the whole floor, I’ll put my own spin on it.

OK, next annoying question about free flow...how do you keep it clean and looking great? Wash/map it like you would any other flat floor? Does daily dust, dirt, leaves, etc make its way throuh the vents and leave the floor grungy looking? No more, no less than any other floor?

 

[CombatNinja]

You can take a leaf blower to it to remove grit, mop it and let it dry. Race deck sells a product that shines it up pretty nicely. Every year or so you can remove the whole thing (or whatever portion is easy to get out if you have heavy stuff on it) and deep clean the concrete underneath it. The leaf blower really is the secret to living with free flow.

 

[RaceDeck1]

here are a few pictures of our RACEDECK FreeFlow garage flooring in use

 

[galaxy]

Thanks @RaceDeck1 and everyone. I’m just gonna have to bite the bullet and go for
It. I have this huge mental block that there’ll be water standing under it that’ll cause moisture problems in winter (dry/evaporate too slow), and humidity problems in summer. I’ll just come up with some leaf blower techniques that others have mentioned. I love the look too much.

I love how you get that checkerboard look even using one solid color.

 

[CJDave]

As long as your concrete floor has a slope to it the water will run from under the tiles. They have small tabs on the bottom that forms channels for the water.I use a long handled broom or brush and a little of my car wash soap solution to clean the floor. The finish of the tile really doesn't let stuff stick to it. Quick to lay, no drying time, no surface prep, no chipping. CJDave.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I love the Free flow product and solid tile as well. I have a different perspective on using the two together. Its my own personal experience so take it for what it is worth. Everyone has their own preferences.

If I have nothing but Free Flow or other flow through tiles in a garage and **** gets under there I can power wash right through it. We shop vac through the ones in the showroom. Now if I have a sloped floor and I have free flow in one area and not in another area, to me, it feels like more stuff gets stuck underneath and there is no way to clean it... It goes through at the free flow section, starts to run under the solid tile and 'thins out' enough that it stops running....

As Jorgen said, pop a few tiles out, no big deal. For me I like ALL flow through or none.