MORE LOCATIONSLearn 4 different ways to protect your garage floor during winters – tips by experts
Garage floors are constantly exposed to chemicals, automotive fluids, dirt, sand, and de-icing substances. Most garage floors are not finished with a top seal and are just bare concrete. The harmful substances whether attached to footwear or vehicles, seep into the porous concrete. Concrete floors that have not been covered with a sealer or protective coating break apart slowly. This can lead to foundational damage caused by rainwater or chemicals from de-icers. Therefore, it is crucial to take these necessary measures for protecting your garage floor in winter.
Significance of Protective Coatings
Protective coatings work well when it comes to damage protection. They not only provide resistance against various kinds of fluids and chemicals but also give a unique appearance to the floor. Non-slip coatings are even better and keep you safe by preventing accidents. Floor coatings are an ideal way to protect the floors against stains, chipping, and wear and tear. Here are a few coating options you can choose from.
Epoxy Coating
- Epoxy coating is the perfect way to protect your garage floor from the effects of winter. It is the toughest and most effective form of available coatings for winterizing the garage floors. The coating seals the porous concrete and prevents the floors from abrasion, water, and chemical damages.
Epoxy coatings are affordable and add a visual appeal to the garage floor. However, these are less durable and require a specific temperature for proper application. It hardens quickly and requires to be applied fast. But it’s easy to clean and gives a beautiful finish to the floor.
Waterproofing Garage Floor
- Water can enter the garage through several entry points such as cracks in the floor or wall, sewer pipes, and more. The concrete floor can entrap water and form pits resulting in damage. So, waterproofing your garage floor is the best way to cut down the costs of potential repairs. Waterproofing materials such as silane can prevent moisture damage.
Floor sealers are another solution that covers up the floor with a thick chemical film and masks all the imperfections. Sealers act by providing a barrier between the concrete and the floor damaging products. Just like coatings, they prevent water and chemicals from seeping into the concrete. Sealers can protect garage floors from staining by giving a glossy finish. They are easy to apply and are tough.
Containment Mats
These rubber or vinyl-made impregnated mats are the cheapest way to protect garage floors against winter damage. They are available in different sizes and can hold gallons of water from melted snow or leakages. They prevent the water from reaching into the concrete below.
Containment mats can collect salt, moisture, slush, and ice that the vehicles bring inside the garage, which can later be easily cleaned from these mats. However, they are a less permanent way of floor protection and are susceptible to tears when vehicle tires drive over them
Interlocking Tiles
- Another way to protect the garage floor from staining and damages is by using interlocking or snap-together tiles. As the name indicates, interlocking tiles interlock or snap together to form a solid floor that acts as a barrier and protects the concrete underneath. They are made of resistant PVC, rubber, and sometimes plastic.
These tiles come in a variety of colors and can improve the aesthetic look and design of your floor. Interlocking tiles are slip-resistant, durable, and easy to clean.
- Do not let your budget hold you back from getting your garage floor repaired and coated. At Crack-X we provide cost-effective garage floor coating and repair services. Call us at 877-727-2259 for expert solutions to prevent structural damages. We are operating in Maine and New Hampshire.