When a garage floor gets damaged, it can be an expensive repair. A reputable contractor will provide an estimate of the costs to fix the problem before starting any work. Some contractors will only work within certain service areas to reduce travel expenses and wear on their equipment, so it is important to understand what these factors are before hiring a company.
Most garage floor repairs garage floor repair near me are related to cracks, pitting or spalling, and divots in the concrete surface. These types of damage can be caused by many different reasons, and most of them are relatively easy to repair. A professional will use a commercial grade concrete patching material to fill and repair any damaged area of the garage floor. The patching product is available in a variety of different forms including epoxy, slurry, or polymer-modified cement. Using the correct concrete repair product will prevent any moisture intrusion into the cracked area and prevent future damage.
Cracks in garage floors are inevitable, as concrete is not a ductile material. As concrete contracts and expands it will create small fractures in the surface of the garage floor that can eventually lead to major structural problems for the home or business. The most common way to repair cracks in a concrete garage floor is to use an epoxy slurry or polymer-modified cement patching mix to fill and seal the fractures. The garage floor must be completely dry before the patching is applied, and a concrete resurfacer will be used to smooth and finish the repaired area of the garage floor.
Pitting or spalling of the concrete garage floor is usually a result of freeze-thaw water damages, which can create tiny holes in the surface. The water can then erode the softer aggregate underneath, making the hole larger over time. A contractor can repair this type of damage by using a commercial grade epoxy concrete repair mortar that is injected into the pitted area of the garage floor to restore the strength and integrity of the concrete.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that they can save a significant amount of money on a garage floor repair project by fixing surface cracks with a commercial grade epoxy coating instead of installing new tiles or concrete slabs. A good quality epoxy coating can also protect the garage floor from damage by oils and chemicals.
Another common problem with garage floors is heaving. Heaving is the movement of the concrete foundation or slab up through the soil and rising into a deflection point in the floor of the garage. Heaving is often caused by freezing and thawing cycles, but can be exacerbated by heavy equipment, plumbing leaks, or other environmental conditions.
Heaving in a garage can be repaired by a professional contractor using various methods including concrete grinding, chemical injection, or mudjacking. Mudjacking uses high-pressure pumps to raise and lift the sunken sections of the garage floor, while concrete leveling can be used to fill in sunken sections or even elevate them back up to their original position. If these repair options do not provide the desired results, slabjacking may be required.