How To Repair Garage Floor Cracks And Pitting

Is your garage floor cracking and pitting, and you’re wondering how to go about it? Worry no more as we have the solution to your problem. An Epoxy Coating Company in Minnesota The Concrete Guy was nice enough to lend a hand with this article.

In most cases, garage floors are made of sturdy and durable construction materials like concrete. But still, they develop some imperfections due to various factors. One of the leading causes of concrete cracking is shrinkage. This occurs as a result of the expansion of the concrete during curing. The concrete releases the excess water used in the mix as it hardens and dries.

However, you don’t have to worry about concrete cracking or pitting as it is a normal thing that could or happens to any concrete garage floor. What you should be worried about is how to repair your cracked or pitted floor. And here is how.

Repairing garage floor cracks and pits

1. Chase the crack

Don’t be fooled by the appearance of the crack and assume it isn’t deep. Sometimes a crack may look shallow on the outside, but it’s deep inside. Therefore, before you begin the repair, you must first determine the extent of the crack.

You’ll need a hammer and a chisel to widen the crack. The aim is to break away the loose materials and edges within the crack. If you decide to skip this step and continue with the repair, then the repair won’t last. The products you use during the repair need to adhere to a firm surface.

However, you should be careful not to damage your entire garage floor in the name of chasing a crack. Chase the crack with caution.

2. Clean your garage floor

After widening the crack, there will be a lot of dirt and debris on your garage floor. You won’t go on with the repair without cleaning it up. The reason is that the refinishing or repair material won’t bond well on a dirty surface.

First, use a broom or a scrub brush to sweep away the large dirt particles. If they are very large, you can start by picking them by hand. When you’re done, use a shop vac to vacuum the area to remove the small dirt particles and other components on your garage floor. 

When vacuuming or scrubbing your damaged garage floor, make sure the dirt or debris doesn’t go back into the cracks or pits. If they do, they’ll fill the cracks and prevent the repairing product from bonding. 

The final cleaning stage is using water and/or a cleaning solution to scrub and wash the garage floor thoroughly. The idea is to make your garage floor super clean.

3. Fill the cracks

You’ll need to apply a filler into the crack to patch the surface. For large and wide cracks, use a concrete patching compound to patch and seal the crack. If the crack is small, you can just use a liquid filler or a concrete caulk. 

You’ll need to mix the patching compound with water before using it on your cracked garage floor, after which, use a trowel to apply the mixture into the crack. Make sure the whole crack is completely filled before smoothing and texturing. You’ll realize that the color of the patching compound does not match that of your garage floor. To make them even, you can just paint the whole floor.

If you’re dealing with a cracked garage floor alone, here is the place to give yourself a tap on the back for a job well done. However, if your floor is, pitted there’s still some work to be done.

4. Resurface the garage floor

For a pitted garage floor, you’ll have to resurface the whole garage floor. There are different materials you can use to give your pitted garage floor a new look. Just make sure you choose the right product, and you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines when using the product.

After mixing the resurfacer thoroughly, use a squeegee to spread it over your pitted garage floor. Start from one corner and work your way towards the door. 

When done, cover the surface and keep your garage floor out of use for about two days. Note that you may require more or less drying time depending on the type of product you use and the weather conditions available.

Epoxy Floors Are A Long Term Solution

Garage floor repairs should never make you scratch your head. The process is very simple and straightforward. All you need is to use the right materials and products. It’s worth noting that surface preparation is mandatory and crucial during such a project.