Garage floors are exposed to dirt and dust, grease and spills, and automotive fluids. With so many things capable of causing wear and tear to your garage floor, you should consider a concrete floor for your garage.
Concrete garage floors have become a great solution for many homeowners. They are affordable, durable, easy to clean, and provides a beautiful finish for your garage.
To ensure a long-lasting concrete garage floor, the right construction processes ought to be followed. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Prepare the Base
Firstly, you should prepare the ground for the concrete floor. It starts with removing the topsoil so that the soil beneath the slab does not shift, which can cause a cracked floor. You should add about a 4-inch layer of gravel to make the base strong.
2. Design of Formworks
It is crucial to ensure the formwork is designed well to withstand the pressure and weight of workers, machines, and construction loads. In this step, you should have a guide to formwork for concrete.
3. Reinforcement
For the concrete garage floor, you need to use reinforcement steel. Once the floor slap is rested on the ground, the steel is used to hold the slap in the right position to prevent cracks.
4. Placing of Concrete
The next step is to pour concrete on the floor. The best concrete slab should be about 4 to 5 inches thick. The concrete should be poured within 90 minutes after you mix with water. You can use a hand vibrator for proper compaction and remove excess water.
5. Finish and Cure
After pouring the concrete, it should be leveled and smoothed. Ensure you cut expansion grooves while the concrete is still wet. The tops surface should remain wet for the curing process to take place. Lastly, you can add floor finishes of your choice.
The Advantages of Concrete Floor for Your Garage
- They are durable: Concrete garage floors will last for a long with very little maintenance. They are resilient and will withstand anything.
- Easy maintenance: Wth concrete flooring for your garage, you do not have to worry about damages from scratches and cracks as they are extremely strong.
- Increase the value of yor pruoperty: If you plan to sell your home in the future, you will get more money from your garage has a concrete floor.
- Design options: Once you have constructed a concrete garage floor, you can add different finishing that will enhance the appearance of the floor. You can consider concrete garage ideas such as overlays, polish, dye, stamps, and geometric divisions.
Disadvantages
- Concrete floor is very hard: The strength and durability of concrete floors make the surface very hard. Falling on the concrete floors can cause injuries. Moreover, dropping items on the surface can cause them to crack.
- The concrete can collect moisture: If the top and bottom surfaces of the concrete floors are not properly sealed, moisture can easily penetrate. This leads to the growth of molds and mildew in the garage. Proper sealing helps prevent this problem.
Should You Hire a Professional or DIY for Your Concrete Garage Floor?
If you want a beautiful, long-lasting, and a tough concrete floor for your garage, you should hire a professional to do it. With DIY, you may not have the expertise and experience with the construction process. Looking for a concrete floor for my garage? Get in touch with us and have your garage floor designed to your preference and enjoy it for many years, or Contact Santa Ana Concrete Driveways.