How to Replace Your Garage Floor

Your garage floor withstands some serious abuse.  It sees scuff marks, dirt, debris, runoff, tire tracks and the heavy weight of your cars, lawn equipment, and tools, as well as plenty of water seepage from rainy and snowy days. Eventually, this daily wear and tear will impact its integrity, no matter how durable your garage floor might seem.  Even concrete can succumb to water damage after wet winters, and when cracks begin to form, there’s no going back.

Concrete Garage Floors

Concrete is a common material used in garage floors and although it is one of the strongest, it’s surface can quickly be compromised once exposed to water, weather, and temperature fluctuations. Why concrete floors crack:

• Weather can be a harsh factor in ruining garage floors.  If the garage doesn’t have any temperature control, the extreme temperatures can cause shrinkage and expansion, which eventually leads to racking.
• Water damage is common in garages and almost unavoidable.  It’s a big reason why your floor might need to be replaced.  If there are no drains or the foundation is susceptible to heavy moisture, cracking and floor damage is imminent.
• Time can make the floor settle and crack, a factor you really can’t control, but making sure you do a thorough job on floor prep and construction can help with this.

Interlocking Tile Garage Floors

You’ll lay tile or other flooring material over the current floor’s surface.  If you choose to lay down rubber matting, tiles, or other garage flooring, the system will most-likely be an interlocking one.  This simplifies the process, even if you haven’t tackled anything beyond a basic do-it-yourself project in the past. If you choose interlocking tiles as your new floor, start at the longest wall of the garage door, locking them together.  Continue making a single row of tiles, leaving ¼”-½” gap between the tiles and the wall.  Proceed into making an “L” shape with the tiles inside your garage, then fill the “L” by moving across the garage’s opening, down the longest wall until filled.  You’ll probably have an overlap by the time you’re finished, but this can be resolved with a saw, utility knife, or any other tool recommended by the manufacturer. This is the easiest type of new garage floor to install and doesn’t require any heavy equipment or demolition.

Installing a Concrete Garage Floor

Installing a concrete garage floor is a different story and is only recommended if you truly know what you’re doing.  The basic premise of creating a new concrete garage floor from scratch is as follows:

• Building a frame for the garage floor.  This will contain the cement mix and create the floor’s shape and boundaries.  Typically, these frames are created from wood, nailed together, and secured by weights.
• Evening out the floor.  This is essential in creating a level floor.  A level garage floor means drainage, and if water can drain properly, you can avoid the issue of water damage and moisture seepage, which quickly ruins concrete.
• Mixing the concrete.  Be sure to use high-quality mixtures and products.  A poor mixture can result in early cracking—and you’ll be right back at square one.
• Pouring the concrete.  Pouring an even layer of concrete is as important as evening out the floor initially.  You want an even surface.
• Professionals will insert rods around the edges of freshly poured concrete, and if the area is large, they’ll insert rods or rebar through the middle to ensure stability and prevent breakage.
• A trowel will be used to smooth the surface, and you’ll continue pouring the mixture for the desired thickness.
• The floor will need at least a day to dry, possibly longer.  Check the concrete instructions to be sure.  Remove the frame once it is completely dried.

For projects that involve demolition and installing a new concrete floor, you will want to contact a professional to do the job if you’re not experienced.  It’s better to have it done right than have it done cheaply, otherwise you could find yourself with wasted time, money, and materials, and the need to have the floor replaced—again.

Does Your Garage Need an Upgrade?

Since 1959, Chicagoland homeowners have counted on Danley’s to build the best garages. Your new garage will be perfect for whatever you want to use it for. You won’t be limited in the type of garage flooring you can use because the foundation and ground will be brand new and properly sloped. Get a quote online for your new garage project and see why over 100,000 customers trust Danley’s.