Watch This Video Before Repairing or Refinishing Concrete Garage Slab

[gregvancom]

The 2012 International Residential Code Book on page 58 R309.1 say that you shouldn't use combustible materials for a garage floor, so it might not be a good idea to use it in your garage. Thanks to a viewer who pointed it out.

[GiantMigit]

What the heck? This is exactly the video I needed to stumble upon. You basically covered everything !

[CorneliusSRT]

Thank you for this video. I’m researching this criteria because we’re purchasing a house that was built in 1986 and the garage floor is sagging or have settled. It’s can be replaced just need a jackhammer to demo it. It has a stem wall also. This was very educational! Thank you for the video.

[jesuscme]

Looking for examples on how to fix the plain slab type foundation for a stand alone garage.
Mine is severely broken apart, but I would like to salvage the garage and turn it into an outdoor pavilion, not parking cars but for relaxing and shade.
Is is so critical to completely repair the foundation if I am not using it for the same kind of utility?

[melodiemayfield]

Thank you so much. I've been trying to figure out what to do with my garage floor. This really helped me.

[williamrees]

Found this very helpful I have all these issues of deterioration and the dust from the concrete is finding its way into my house. The previous owner had freshly painted the floor when I purchased the house and I didn't catch the severity of my problem I'm hopeful that I can patch the floor but I'm looking at about 200 sqft of patches. And then I plan on an industrial coating. Crossing my fingers.

[rfehr]

FYI, efflorescence is a byproduct of the chemical reaction of the cement and water which leaches out through cracks in the concrete. It's not inherently problematic. It does not deteriorate concrete. Rather the presence of efflorescence is simply an indication that the slab is cracked and water is getting through. All concrete cracks, so that's not the problem. Water can be a problem though. Efflorescence is usually just an aesthetic issue.

[carlosclavell]

Thank you for the post! I found it very educational and looking to implement some of your suggestions.

[Space.Ghost.]

Thank you for another great video. Your animations are great and phenomenally helpful.

[angelt]

Can you repair if half the garage is cracked, chip out that front half and pour a new slab attaching it with the other half?

[seongtaek]

Very helpful and kind teacher! Thank you for this amazing educational edit:)

[HRBPS]

What I believe has happened to my garage walls is water that seeped through and as the walls dried the Calcium in the mortar and block would cause the block to decay. Since then I had the outside problem fixed and painted the inside with dryloc. The floor has also been pitting from salt and water, now I’m looking into sealing it so it doesn’t get worse. Anyway calcium (salt) as we know eats through many things especially concrete.

[beland]

Any suggestions what to put on my floor looks just like your video minutes 1:07 in ? I do understand that it will only be temporary and it needs to be replaced

[gregvancom]

Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit of salts often seen on the surface of concrete, brick, stucco, or natural stone surfaces. It occurs when water is present on or in the masonry surface.

[codyholst]

Cool video. I install epoxy floors for a living and still lerned a thing or two.

[louiespray]

Do you have any experience with any of the pvc-like tile products that are available? Do they last? Last in cold climates? How smooth does the floor have to be before putting down the tiles? I know there are a lot of variables in answering these questions - appreciate your trying to do so!

[kyrujames]

thanks for this, this was super helpful

[kevinhornbuckle]

In some situations you can put down a layer of rigid foam and then pour self-leveling cement over it (and heating cables too if you want).

[tileslay]

I get this type of concrete to work on once in awhile. Usually I grind down to solid. Than depending on what surface is going on I can seal and bring to a polish or self level and than use ditra for movement with a perimeter expansion joint. And tile it. Can be ceramic, vct, lvt are the best choices. Carpet is not ideal without fixing. Tack strip is hard to nail or glue to that type of surface. Glue down will consume more adhesive and not bond the greatest but more than than show some of the holes. I have not ever used the epoxy. But I don’t see why you can’t on top of self leveling. On the moisture concept you can test the slab. Sometimes this is a moisture problem. If the lbs per come back unacceptable you can buy a paint on moisture sealer.

[Foche_T._Schitt]

I think the lack of a vapor barrier behind the slab causes epoxy coatings to fail because moisture has nowhere to go.