how do i make my rough garage floor smooth

How do I make my rough garage floor smooth?

• Put on long pants and a long sleeve shirt.
• Open the garage door and any windows available.
• Strip off paint, sealers or any other coatings on the floor.
• Clean the floor thoroughly.
• Scuff the floor with a coarse wire brush.
• Fill in thin cracks, those less than 1/4-inch, with concrete crack filler.

Full Answer

How do I fix a slippery garage floor?

In the case of your garage floor, I would treat it very aggressively, because a smooth concrete surface that has slush and water on it is almost as slippery as a surface can get. One solution is to apply rows of nonslip tape that has a very coarse, abrasive particle bonded to its face.

Can you resurface a concrete garage floor?

If your slab is suffering from low self-esteem because of pits, craters or cracks, you can cover up those scars. Concrete “resurfacer” is a cement-based coating that forms a smooth, new surface right over the old concrete. The cost of resurfacer for a two-car garage is typically less than $200.

How do you clean a wet concrete garage floor?

Suction up the water from the floor with a wet vac. Scuff the floor with a coarse wire brush. Chisel away loose or weak pieces of the concrete surface. Sweep up the debris and dust.

How do you smooth out concrete floors?

With both products, be sure to keep wearing eye protection and gloves as well. Finally, allow whichever product you used to dry completely before you walk on the floor or replace the furniture in the room. This is the easiest way to smooth out your concrete floor. Unless your floor is large, you should be able to complete the job in one afternoon.

Can rough concrete be smoothed?

A concrete grinder may be necessary if the concrete is very rough or has larger imperfections that sandpaper will not smooth out. A grinder can also be good if you do not have the vertical space available for another layer of concrete. This can grind the floor to make it smooth without adding thickness to the surface.

How do you smooth out old rough concrete?

How to Smooth a Rough Concrete PatioStep 1: Gather Your Materials. ... Step 2: Prepare the Area. ... Step 3: Start Sanding. ... Step 4: Fill Cracks. ... Step 5: Continue Sanding. ... Step 6: Apply Concrete Sealer. ... Step 7: Continue Sanding. ... Step 8: Clean the Floor and Continue.

What is the material to smooth out an existing concrete floor?

If the concrete floor is sloped, self leveling cement can be applied to make the surface even. Ardex or other similar self leveling cementitous mixes can be applied and poured on to the surface and then ground afterwords just like regular concrete to get a smooth shine.

How do you smooth a concrete floor?

0:312:08FINISHING OF CONCRETE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first step is screeding. This is the process of striking of excess concrete using a straightMoreThe first step is screeding. This is the process of striking of excess concrete using a straight edge the surface is struck off by moving the straight edge back.

What can I do with rough concrete floors?

To smooth a rough concrete slab, you will need to brush off all debris with a broom, then wash away the grime with a mop using neutral cleaner and warm water. Next, you will want to identify the areas with cracks or misshapen areas.

What do you put on rough concrete?

4:227:09Can you Apply Epoxy on Rough Concrete? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can add like a leveling compound to kind of achieve a better overall leveling and that willMoreYou can add like a leveling compound to kind of achieve a better overall leveling and that will cover up all the little holes. And then once you've achieved that level then you can look into epoxy.

How do you smooth out uneven concrete floors?

3:5816:07SMOOTHING AN UNEVEN CONCRETE FLOOR - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf i want the floor to be relatively flat um and and level then the only way to do that is toMoreIf i want the floor to be relatively flat um and and level then the only way to do that is to improve it with a screed. If you're happy with the floor you just want it to be smooth.

How do you resurface a concrete floor?

0:429:07Resurfacing Concrete Floors with a Self-Leveling Skim Coat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProcess you want to pour the concrete. About two hours after applying the primer. We're usingMoreProcess you want to pour the concrete. About two hours after applying the primer. We're using quikrete self leveling floor resurfacer. It's a high grade concrete mix with no large pieces of aggregate.

How do you level a rough concrete floor?

The easiest way is to use a self-leveling compound, also called liquid floor underlayment or floor resurfacer, within sections of level-cut rails. The material flows out like thick syrup, then hardens into a smooth, perfectly level surface, sometimes in less than an hour.

How can I make my concrete floor look good?

The following are some ways you can use to make concrete floors look nicer:Acid Staining. Concrete flooring is great because it is easy to maintain. ... Resin Flooring. ... Stained and Polished Concrete Flooring. ... Dyed Concrete Flooring. ... Painted Concrete Floors.

Why does my concrete look rocky?

If you use too much water, the concrete will be rocky, pitted, weak and prone to cracks. Too little water kills workability. If you use too little water, the concrete will be impossible to work with. You won't be able to float it properly of tamp the stones down.

How do you fix an uneven concrete garage floor?

How to Flatten an Uneven Garage Floor Using Leveling CementClean the Slab. Begin by thoroughly sweeping and vacuuming the entire slab. ... Mark the Low Spots. ... Grind Down High Edges. ... Repair Deep Cracks and Depressions. ... Prime the Area (Optional) ... Mix the Leveling Cement. ... Apply the Leveling Cement. ... Allow to Dry.More items...•

What is the best way to sand concrete?

Work methodically over the entire concrete surface with a coarse grit before moving to a finer grit. You have to sand the entire surface several times, each time with a finer grit than before to achieve the desired finish. Take your time and be safe. There are many reasons why you may need to sand a concrete surface.

What is concrete screed?

Screed is a thin layer of material that is placed on top of a concrete subfloor. Usually, screed consists of cement and sharp sand, but where a more industrial version is required, coarse aggregates can be added to create a thicker layer.

Step 1 - Move Furniture

Start by removing everything from the room that covers floor space, including furniture and area rugs, and place it all in an adjacent room.

Step 2 - Evaluate

Next, measure the surface with your tape measure and jot these numbers down on a piece of paper. You will need to know your total surface area to c...

Step 3 - Remove Coatings Or Sealer

If your flooring has a sealer on it, this will need to come off before you can make any adjustments; otherwise, the new material may not bond prope...

Step 4 - Clean The Floor

Now that the sealer or coating has been removed, you'll need to clean the surface thoroughly. Get rid of any material left behind, and then clean t...

Step 5 - Determine The Solution

If you have a mostly level surface with just a few minor holes and cracks, use an epoxy coating you can apply just like paint. On the other hand, i...

Step 6 - Apply

Follow the instructions on your product to apply it to the floor. If you're using epoxy, ensure that your work area is still ventilated and that yo...

How long does it take to resurface a garage floor?

Cleaning and resurfacing the floor usually takes one day (on the other hand, clearing out your garage so you can work may take weeks!). Spreading the resurfacer smoothly is the trickiest part of the project, so it helps to have some experience with concrete or drywall finishing.

How much does a concrete resurfacer cost?

Concrete “resurfacer” is a cement-based coating that forms a smooth, new surface right over the old concrete. The cost of resurfacer for a two-car garage is typically less than $200.

How long to let resurfacer sit in bucket?

Take two minutes to read the directions before mixing. The key to a smooth, lump-free mix is to let the resurfacer 'slake,' that is, sit in the bucket for a few minutes after the initial mixing.

Can you use a stripper to remove sealer from concrete?

Important: If you find that the cleaner doesn’t soak into the concrete but just beads up into droplets on the surface, you have a sealer over the concrete that you’ll need to remove. In that case, apply a stripper first to remove the sealer, then clean.

What are the fixtures in a garage?

Glasses or goggles. Sander, grinder, or blaster. Chemical stripper. Water. Soap. Epoxy coating. Leveling compound. Mixing pan. Concrete floors are common fixtures inside of the garage, but with modern home designs becoming more and more appealing, they're slowly make their way inside.

Can you turn a damaged concrete floor into a smooth surface?

While you might not care what your garage floor looks like, it's likely that you will want a smoother, unblemished surface for your indoors. Fortunately, you don't have to deal with dips, holes, and cracks. The work may be challenging, but you can turn an uneven, damaged concrete floor into a smooth, level surface without the cost of a pro.

Can you use epoxy on a floor?

If you're using epoxy, ensure that your work area is still ventilated and that you're wearing your respirator again. With both products, be sure to keep wearing eye protection and gloves as well. Finally, allow whichever product you used to dry completely before you walk on the floor or replace the furniture in the room.

Can you use chemical strippers on flooring?

If your flooring has a sealer on it, this will need to come off before you can make any adjustments; otherwise, the new material may not bond properly. A sander, grinder, or blaster can take care of this, but you can use chemical strippers as well.

Can you use epoxy to level cement?

If you have a mostly level surface with just a few minor holes and cracks, use an epoxy coating you can apply just like paint. On the other hand, if your cement floor is extremely uneven or has large holes or cracks , you will need a leveling compound to smooth it.

For Concrete Garage Floors

Concrete is one of the most common materials used for a garage floor. It’s durable, functional, and tough against the abuse of car tires, heavy equipment, and foot traffic. If the concrete floor isn’t cared for, then it can suffer cracks, and exposure to liquids, water runoff, and melting snow can further damage its structural integrity.

Quick and Easy: Concrete Floor Polish

Concrete cleans up rather quickly. If your flooring is dulled from scuffling feet, heavy objects, or faded from the harsh rays of the sun, then grab a mop and get ready to polish.

Stubborn Stains: Pressure Washing

For very dull concrete floors, grab a pressure washer to blast away seriously stuck debris and dirt from the surface and crevices. You’ll notice a huge difference in the surface color and sheen, although test an area first to determine if the concrete can handle high-pressure steam.

For Epoxy Garage Floors

Epoxy is a popular option for garage flooring. It’s an attractive, sensible, and can withstand plenty of abuse. Epoxy is extremely durable, easily maintained, and sealed to withstand surface damage and cracking. But just like concrete, epoxy can lose its shine over time. However, it’s not hard to get it shine like new once again.

Quick and Easy: Ammonia and Water

For a fast cleaning you can accomplish in a matter of an hour (or less), grab a bottle of ammonia, a bucket, a mop, and some hot water. Epoxy floors are scratch and stain resistant, but over time they can appear dull due to friction and wear.

Stubborn Stains: Reapplying Epoxy

Is your epoxy floor in bad shape and mopping it down isn’t helping it shine? What makes epoxy flooring so attractive is that you can potentially reapply the top layer to reinvigorate its shine.

Easy Solutions, Long Term Care

As long as you clean up your garage floor every once in a while, you’ll see that simple cleaning can go a long way. Your floors will keep their shine with a quick routine cleaning that doesn’t call for much other than standard household chemicals, warm water, and a mop.

How do I level a concrete floor?

1. Buy more than you think you need. 2. Rent a proper mixer, a normal drill isn't up to it . 3. Have at least 3 plaster mixing buckets and pre measure the water. 4. Seal the floor with a primer - really well as the concrete will suck the water out otherwise and it won't level as well.

Can you hire a concrete grinder?

You can hire concrete grinders, they're a bit like a floor polisher but with rotating carborundum blocks, but getting a flat finish on a rippled surface will be a ball ache. People don't usually have the room to install 100mm of screed.

Can you screed over a tamp finish?

Sounds like you have a tamp finish in your garage. (why anyone would do that I don't know) cheapest option is to screed over it, but the problem with that is that is likely to crack. You could get the surface ground down and then apply a screed. but that could get expensive and would be messy.