Transform your garage into a winter warrior – Essential tips for winter proofing your garage floor
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ToggleFrom daily foot and vehicle movements to encounters with dust, dirt, spills, and weather elements, garage floors endure a lot throughout their lifetime. Garage floors in colder regions with snowy winters face an even tougher challenge. Snow, ice, salt, sand, and de-icing products expedite the floor’s wear and tear. This article highlights practical steps to help you winterproof your floor.
The Impact Of Cold Weather On Garage Floor
- The impact of cold weather on your floor goes beyond creating a cold, messy, slippery surface. Garage floors without a top seal are especially vulnerable to damage. The water and de-icing chemicals seep into the porous concrete, increasing the likelihood of foundation damage over time. As the temperature fluctuates, garage floors undergo expansion and contraction.
When excess water infiltrates the concrete, especially through surface-level cracks, it undergoes repeated thaw and freeze cycles. Melted snow mixed with road salt exacerbates the issue by recrystallizing the concrete, adding extra pressure. Over time, this process leads to elongating and deepening existing cracks and forming new ones. In addition, pitting and spalling may also occur, causing larger sections of the floor’s surface to flake away.
Choosing the Right Winter Protection for Your Garage Floor
- When it comes to winterproofing your garage floor, there are four practical options.
Garage Floor Coatings
- Opt for epoxy or polyaspartic floor coatings for the most effective winter protection. These coatings protect your floor from winter damage while enhancing the overall aesthetics of your garage. These are cost-effective and durable coating options. They form a strong bond with the concrete to provide superior protection.
Both coatings include a top coat seal that guards against water, chemicals, and abrasion. However, epoxy coatings have a specific temperature requirement for application. On the other hand, polyaspartic coatings can be applied in temperatures as low as -40°F.”
Garage Floor Sealers
- Apply a sealant to your garage floor for a clear, thick film that conceals imperfections and protects against abrasions, water, and chemical penetration into the concrete. Sealers deliver a glossy finish, but it’s essential to note that any aesthetic enhancements may be compromised if the color of the underlying concrete is uneven or if there are visible signs of surface repairs.
Winter Snow Mats
- The most budget-friendly winter garage floor protection is winter snow mats. They are also known as water containment mats and are available in various sizes. Snow mats are typically made from durable rubber or vinyl materials. The mat can effectively contain gallons of water resulting from melted snow, ice, and road salt from your vehicles.
The collected water can be easily removed using a squeegee or wet vacuum. While floor mats offer non-permanent winter garage floor protection, they may shift if not adequately weighted or anchored. Also, lower-quality mats may be prone to tearing, especially if they are subjected to vehicle tires turning.
Garage Floor Interlocking Tiles
Another affordable and functional solution to winterproof your garage is interlocking PVC or rubber floor tiles. These tiles can be installed quickly, offer a range of designs, and are easily replaceable if any damage occurs.
Additionally, they have self-draining properties, efficiently directing water from melted snow and ice to the concrete underneath. However, it is advisable to seal the floor or implement a drainage system before laying down the tiles.
Brighten your garage floor by installing a durable and economical coating. Contact us at (877) 727-2259 for all your floor coating needs. Crack-X is a civil structures repair company located in Maine and New Hampshire. Our specialists will advise you according to your budget and requirements. Let us help you make the best choice for your floor.