how do i protect my concrete garage floor

How to Protect Your Concrete Garage Flooring

• Use Mats to Control Moisture. Moisture is the natural enemy of your concrete floor. Use mats to trap moisture that could...
• Choose the Proper Cleaning Tools. Harsh chemicals and rough stain removal techniques can compromise the integrity of...
• Take Special Precautions in High-Traffic Areas. Whether you're driving your vehicle...

Full Answer

What is the best floor protection for a garage?

A polyaspartic coating provides great floor protection, is easy to clean and maintain, and enhances a garage’s décor. 2. Epoxy floor coating If you’re thinking of taking the DIY route when it comes to your garage floor protection upgrade, an epoxy floor coating kit is probably what you’ll buy.

How do you seal a garage floor with sealer?

Floor Sealer Project Directions: 1 Apply the cleaner, scrub and power wash#N#Mask the walls with poly. Then use the power washer to apply concrete cleaner. 2 Apply garage floor sealer and spread onto garage floor#N#Dip the paint pad into the garage floor sealer of your choice... 3 Force filler into the cracks More ...

How do you clean a dirty concrete garage floor?

Let it sit for 45 minutes. Next pour water on the area and scrub with a nylon-bristle brush, which will not scratch the surface of the concrete. Allow the soap to sit for 10-15 minutes and scrub again. After scrubbing, rinse with a power jet wand, diluting and directing the soapy water out of the garage.

Are concrete resurfacers safe for garage floors?

Intended as a more cosmetic fix for garage floors in need of a refresh, the floor protection benefits of concrete resurfacers are rather modest. This is partially because their application coat is usually fairly thin compared to an epoxy or polyaspartic coating.

What is best to put on a concrete garage floor?

Epoxy is a tough and long-lasting coating that can be used on any flooring. It can be used on concrete floors; stone floors any floor to increase its performance and durability of your garage floor. Epoxy flooring is available in many attractive colors and can be cleaned easily.

How do I protect my concrete garage?

The quickest and easiest way to protect your concrete is to use a garage floor containment mat. These mats collect the deicing solutions, road salts, snow melt, and other debris that are deposited from vehicles and keep it off of your floor. They are easy to clean out and don't make a mess.

Should you seal a concrete garage floor?

Because garage floors are protected from outdoor elements, they don't generally need sealed as often as a concrete driveway. However, most garage floors are made from concrete, making them susceptible to cracking and moisture intrusion from oil spills, antifreeze leakage, and other household chemicals.

Should I seal or epoxy My garage floor?

Sealing the garage floor helps enhance its aesthetics. Epoxy flooring, for example, dries to a really high gloss, making the floor look polished and shiny. If you have a colored concrete garage flooring, sealers can help keep the color from fading, flaking, or peeling off.

What is the longest lasting garage floor coating?

Epoxy floor coatings Epoxy resin, acrylic epoxy, and other epoxy-based coatings are popular when it comes to garage floors. An epoxy floor coating can provide a thicker layer of coverage to floors and can last a lot longer than an average floor paint.

Is it worth putting epoxy on garage floor?

Epoxy flooring protects the underlying concrete from moisture, stains, grease and cracks. In the long run, this can save you a great deal on cleaning and maintenance costs by eliminating the need to clean carpet or grout. It's also very reasonably priced for the duration and level of protection that it offers.

How do you waterproof a concrete garage floor?

7 Steps for Waterproofing a GarageStep 1: Prepare the Space. ... Step 2: Inspect Your Garage. ... Step 3: Fill Cracks With Masonry Crack Filler. ... Step 4: Choose The Correct Garage Floor Paint. ... Step 5: Apply Waterproof Paint to Garage Walls. ... Step 6: Apply Concrete Floor Paint to Garage Floors. ... Step 7: Replace Your Belongings.

How much does it cost to seal concrete garage floor?

Painting and Sealing Concrete Sealing concrete with urethane or high-performance epoxy averages between $0.50 and $2.50 per square foot, not including labor. A less expensive option is to seal a concrete floor with an acrylic resin or penetrating silicone for about $1.50 per square foot.

How do you prep a concrete floor for sealing?

0:272:37Preparation for Uncoated Concrete for Sealers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore you start ensure the surface is clean by wiping up all excess oil and grease spills. ThenMoreBefore you start ensure the surface is clean by wiping up all excess oil and grease spills. Then scrape and sweep away dirt and loose contaminants on the surface. If. The surface is new or uncoated.

What are the disadvantages of epoxy flooring?

Cons of Epoxy FlooringStrong Application Fumes. During the epoxy application process, wet epoxy gives off an unpleasant smell. ... Long Curing Time. ... Slippery When Wet. ... Economical Flooring Choice. ... Resistant to Damage. ... Weather-withstanding. ... Aesthetically Pleasing. ... Protects and Decreases Wear & Tear.More items...•

What garage floor coating is best?

Top 5 Garage Floor CoatingsBest Paint Kit: Rust-Oleum RockSolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Kit.Best Value: KILZ One-Part Epoxy Acrylic Interior/Exterior Concrete and Garage Floor Paint.Best Epoxy Kit: Colored Epoxies 1002 Clear Epoxy Resin Coating.Best Concrete Sealer: Siloxa-Tek Penetrating Concrete Sealer.More items...

When should you not epoxy garage floor?

Steer Clear of Epoxy on Your Garage Flooring#1: Epoxy has Weak Adhesion. Compared to paint, epoxy has far stronger adhesion. ... #2: Epoxy Takes Multiple Days to Fully Cure. ... #3: Epoxy Fades. ... #4: It Can Stick to the Wrong Places! ... #5: Poor Flexibility. ... #6: Cooler Temp Applications Are Tough.

How do I protect my concrete garage floor from salt?

A mat is the best way to keep excess salt and water off your concrete floor. You can use these mats in the winter, and roll them up and pack them away during the rest of the year. They also do an excellent job of protecting your floor.

Does sealing concrete prevent dust?

Acrylic sealers are film-forming and create a protective coating on top of the surface. This thin coating layer acts as a barrier on the concrete, sealing in and stopping the dusting.

How do you board a concrete garage?

When lining out concrete garages a good method is to use ply board sheets preferably at least 12mm thick. Ply board is a good material to use as it is sturdy and it repels moisture. Prior to fixing the ply board in place it's a good idea to add any electrical cabling (where applicable).

How do I keep my concrete clean in the winter?

For a good clean, you should first sweep off any debris and then use a pressure cleaner to wash away any baked-on grime and dust. When cleaning your driveway make sure you only use a soft-bristled broom.

How to Protect Your Concrete Garage Flooring

Coating your concrete garage floor with a sealant protects the surface from scratches, stains, and other marks that mar its aesthetic. There are a number of coating options for your concrete.

Use Mats to Control Moisture

Moisture is the natural enemy of your concrete floor. Use mats to trap moisture that could be tracked in from your shoes. Containment mats made of PVC are the best options for soaking up excess wetness. Place mats at all the entrances of your room for best results.

Choose the Proper Cleaning Tools

Harsh chemicals and rough stain removal techniques can compromise the integrity of your coating. Avoid the use of caustic cleansers that strip your coating and expose the concrete below. Don't use rough brushes, brooms, or automated cleaning appliances on your concrete unless you're sure it's safe.

Take Special Precautions in High-Traffic Areas

Whether you're driving your vehicle across the floor several times a day or using your garage space for high-powered hobbies, high-traffic areas need extra protection to prolong the life of your concrete. In addition to coating and the use of PVC mats to mitigate wear and tear, it's important to visually inspect this area often.

1. Epoxy Garage Floor Coatings

Epoxy coating hides minor imperfections on the floor while repelling stains and spills. You can transform boring flooring with a solid color, or you can add colorful flakes for a speckled look. These coatings are very durable but sensitive to abrasive cleaners, so properly maintaining your epoxy floor is key.

2. Polyaspartic Garage Floor Coating

Polyaspartic coatings provide heavy-duty garage floor protection with plenty of stylish options. Like epoxy, you can choose solid colors or multicolored flakes that mimic real stone or granite. As a bonus, they also dry in an hour or less, so you’ll have your garage back quicker.

3. Garage Flooring Sealers

As the name suggests, garage floor sealers provide a protective seal against spills, stains, and water damage. These don’t protect a concrete floor as well as epoxy or polyaspartic coatings, but they still create a decent barrier. They won’t disguise any existing stains, though, so you’ll have to take care of those beforehand.

4. Garage Floor Tiles

Interlocking tiles are a great alternative if you’re not feeling the chemical approach. You can choose from either plastic or rubber tiles, which come in a wide range of patterns and colors.

5. Floor Mats and Coverings

Garage floor coverings can soak up spills and cover a stained concrete floor. On the flip side, they soak up enough to make a mess if they’re not maintained. Still, they’re easy to clean and offer decent protection, so they’re a viable option.

Prepping and Repairing Your Garage Floor

If your garage’s concrete floor is seriously stained, cracked, or otherwise damaged, these protective options won’t cover it completely. Cleaning, painting, or acid staining can help disguise stains, while a concrete repair specialist in your area can address repair needs.

Choosing the Best Garage Floor Protection

Finding the best garage floor protection is all about your priorities. Do you want something durable, or are you more concerned with staying on budget? Below are the main points to consider, along with the options that come out on top.

What is polyaspartic floor coating?

More realistically, it is the choice for homeowners who love their garage enough to pay for professional floor protection. This type of coating goes deep into the concrete and reinforces it against the physical damage as well as the aesthetic. Polyaspartic coating even protects the floor from extreme temperatures and acidic chemicals.

Do garage floor tiles need sealants?

One of the best ways to protect your garage floor is a cost-effective measure that doesn’t require any sealants or epoxies. We are of course referring to garage floor tiles. Tiles do not help to mend or fix any damage that is already progressing. However, they are excellent for preventing wear and tear from progressing any further.

Can concrete damage a garage floor?

However, garage floors quickly accrue damage due to heavy use. If the damage gets serious enough, it leads to damage on any vehicles or items stored in the garage.

What is concrete used for in a garage?

Most garage floors use concrete as the construction material owing to its durability. Over time, however, concrete garage floors start to show significant signs of wear and tear like cracks, dents, holes, stains, uneven appearance, dusting, water pooling, spalling, and scaling. An effective way to protect garage floors effectively is ...

Why seal concrete floors?

Sealing the concrete floor makes it more durable. It acts as a protective layer preventing elements and other common issues like cracks and dents due to tools or other heavy objects hitting the floor, scaling, and spalling from damaging the floor, even when they see extensive use.

What are the elements that affect garage floors?

Garage floors are exposed constantly to dirt, oil, grease, dust, hot tires, automotive fluids, temperature fluctuations, corrosive chemicals, road salts, and different weather elements. They endure a lot in their lifetime, safely storing our vehicles and other household items.

Why use sealer on floor?

Stubborn stain marks from oil, grease, and other liquids spoil the surface’s appearance. Sealers make the floor easy to wipe clean after spills as it doesn’t absorb these liquids. They also offer protection against weather changes, sun’s rays, and other elements.

Do garage sealers last forever?

Sealers don’t last forever. For garages with heavy vehicle and foot traffic, the sealer may need reapplication frequently.

Is concrete sealer harmful?

Traditional Concrete Sealers Contain Harmful Chemicals. Traditional sealers consist of chemicals that may harm the environment and humans. Though environmentally-friendly options are available, they come with a price tag.

Can garage floor sealer be out of action?

Depending on the sealant type, the garage floor may remain out of action for some time, causing inconvenience.

Why seal a concrete garage floor?

Sealing your concrete garage floor is the best way to prevent damage from road salt and freezing temperatures. With so many concrete sealing/waterproofing products on the market, choosing the right product can be confusing.

Does silane darken concrete?

The product won’t darken the concrete or look shiny, so your garage floor will still look like dull concrete.

How to clean a stain on a tile floor?

Mix a half-cup baking soda in a gallon of warm water and use it as an all-purpose cleaner. You can also mix baking soda with a few drops of liquid soap, to make a paste, and use it to scrub light stains. Don’t underestimate the power of warm, soapy water to keep your floors clean and remove minor stains.

How to clean a grease spill?

To clean a fresh spill, sprinkle cat litter or sawdust on oil or grease to absorb the liquid. Leave the litter or sawdust on the spill for about a day, then sweep it up and dispose of it properly. Once you’re done sweeping, pour dry dish soap or laundry detergent onto the stain. Let it sit for 45 minutes. Next pour water on the area and scrub ...

How to clean oil spills?

You may also spill a drop or two of oil when working with tools. It’s best to try and clean these spills right away to avoid slipping on fresh oil, tracking it into the house, or leaving a stubborn stain. To clean a fresh spill, sprinkle cat litter or sawdust on oil or grease to absorb the liquid.

Is it safe to clean a garage floor?

Cleaning your garage floor is one task that rarely makes it on your list of to-dos. However, without regular cleaning and maintenance, serious clutter and grime can build up leaving the garage in poor condition. Removing dirt, chemicals and unwanted stains will keep your garage floor from wearing away and safe for you and your family.