jwortley

So, my 7 year old house has a sinking garage floor. I had an home inspector in last summer as I was getting some mold and on the wall which is a result of the floor pulling away from the wall and the moisture in the ground evaporating. I

have had a bunch of quotes and it looks like $4,500 - $5,500. So funds that would have turned into a set of HRE P40's for the 997 now will simply result in some flat evened color concrete.

Since I am into this for about $5K I am wondering if there is anything else I should consider doing to it while I am at it? I was thinking about colouring it, or perhaps even getting it stamped. This time I may even pin it to the foundation walls so the damn thing wont sink again.

You guys have any other idea's?

Leigh2

I'm anticipating building a new garage/shop in the future and have been looking at floor treatments. So far the most knowledgeable people I have talked to have recommended adding colorant to the concrete and having the floor sealed and polished. Apparently this is more durable than epoxy coatings and easy to maintain.

arjag

Check out The Garage Journal (www.garagejournal.com) specifically the flooring forum. Like Leigh, if I were doing this I would go with a stain/sealant and not worry about chipping, peeling, staining. Good luck!

ZR8ED

Another thing to consider is would you like a hoist in there eventually? If so prepare the floor now. ie type and thickness of the concrete. It would be minimal effort at this point.

I have had good success with some of the epoxy coatings, but if I was redoing the floor completely, I would have it coloured instead. I would also advise against "stamping" as a smooth floor surface is much easier to keep clean.
Simple epoxy floor. Now one year old, and has withstood oil and brakefluid spills, and dragging my floor jack and jackstands with no ill effects.

mjh1

What about radiant in floor heating?

Torontoworker

Ed, can I ask what you paid for your floor treament?

R6XTERRA

Do NOT get it stamped. My driveway is stamped concrete, It looks absolutley beautiful. However, any spill of water on the floor and it turns into an ice rink. Especially with slush coming off your car in the winter time. You are asking for an accident waiting to happen.

If you do decide to go stamped, please make sure they put sand in the sealer as to provide some sort of grip.

Jeff

Leigh2

The other thing I would consider a must is to slant the floor towards a drain...except the area a hoist might go. Makes it a cinch to hose down and keep clean especially in winter.

Turbodan

bury a loonie in the center
how about put some lights in the floor (maybe under the car)

ZR8ED

I thought that was what neon under car lighting was for?!

Torontoworker: Ed, can I ask what you paid for your floor treament?
Different kits are available at most hardware type stores.
Approx $100.00/kit 1kit per single car garage. (mine was just a bit over 2 kits so I bought 3 and had some left over.
Another $20-$50 for cleaning supplies/rollers etc.

Don't park a car on it too soon. 3-4 days, or you risk some delamination when hot tires are rolled on to it. (I learned the hard way on my first garage.)

theiceman

a pit?

although they may be against code

hopeforcash

An idea I had was if I could lower the floor of my garage by about 1 foot or two so I can fit a four post lift and put two cars in with ample clearance. I'm guessing I would have to re-grade my driveway as well. Does anyone know if this can be done at a reasonable cost and will it affect the structure of the house?

spcamno

X2 on Epoxy floor.

I did mine few years ago (learn from garage journal forum) my next door neighbour like it so much and I ended up give him a hand and did his as well.

This is my garage looks like:

Mark Lue

The floor look great... come on over and help me with mine

spcamno

Sure, not a problem.

If you are seriously consider doing it I can explain little more when I come back (leaving tomorrow for a week to Bahamas with the wife and kid).

I have done three and mine was the first one but after that I have done one more for my next door neighbour then my in-law said "if you can help George out why can't you do ours?"

That's how the problem starts

But seriously, I priced the cost to have someone do a basic one color for my two car garage was around $2k but I did my in grey base with color chips and clear top coat for under $800.

If you don't mind driving there is an ebay seller in Detroit area selling epoxy for cheap.

I use Devoe Coating's stuff (industrial grade solvent base) not the off the shelf product from Homedepot or Rona.