If
your garage floor is like most of them, it has seen better days. It mainly
covers oil stains and paint stains, and it may have cracked or pitted over time
if it is older. Other issues, such as mold from continual wetness, may be
present that you are unaware of.
When
you have so many other home improvement projects on your "to-do"
list, updating the garage flooring may
not be a top priority. Here are the top four most convincing reasons you should
consider upgrading your garage floors sooner rather than later.
Because Your Garage Floor Isn't As Long-Lasting As You Think It Is
For
many years, poured concrete was the preferred material for garage and basement
floor construction. While the material will survive for many decades, it will
also require maintenance to assure its safety and durability. Because concrete is a porous surface, it
absorbs spills such as oils and hazardous liquids such as gasoline, antifreeze,
and paint thinner. It produces an ugly mess over time, but it can also be
detrimental to the health and well-being of your family and pets.
Coating
your concrete garage floor can help, but it is only a short-term solution. The
coating or paint can soon wear away, mainly if you use tools and heavy
equipment or park your automobile there. You'll have to regularly refinish
floors with a highly unpleasant chemical sealer, which can be hazardous
to your health and the environment. Furthermore, failure to vigorously coat
your floors might result in wetness and dampness, an ideal breeding ground for
dangerous mold.
Because Cracks Indicate Structural Damage
Some
cracks are unsightly, but others are dangerous. According to Inspectapedia, there
are many types of foundation cracks, their patterns,
the foundation materials utilized, and site conditions are significant in
separating cosmetic and low-risk from those that are more likely to be
structural damage and costly to repair. Garage floor cracks can be classified
into three forms and happen to three different factors.
- Shrinkage cracks are unlikely
to be structurally significant. They may become a source of water or even
radon gas entrance and a safety issue due to the resultant uneven surface.
- Cracks formed by settling
show that they did not adequately prepare the site, but they are most
likely cosmetic or superficial. These will continue to gather dirt,
liquids, and other debris and must fill and kept shut.
- Frost heaves, and expanded
soil can cause cracks in your basement, crawl spaces, and garage.
A
trained concrete contractor can
assist you in determining which of these sorts of cracks you have and advise
you on how to continue.
Because It Will Save Money In Multiple Ways
Regularly filling gaps and covering your flooring with chemical sealants can be a time-consuming and costly task. However, that is not the only place where they might find cost savings. Traditional garage floors are not energy efficient. Because concrete has no give, when your house settles, spaces create that allow the elements to enter. It can result in various issues ranging from flooding to increased energy bills. Weatherproofing is merely a short-term solution. However, by replacing your garage floor, you may prevent the inconvenience while also improving the beauty of the floor and saving money.
Because Updating Is Not Always Necessarily Necessary
Replacing
garage floors has only recently been a realistic choice. The industry responded
because homeowners demanded a more cost-effective way to maintain, repair, and
update their garage floors.
You
may be able to refresh and update your floors without the price of removal,
thanks to advances in technology utilized to create more challenging,
longer-lasting polymer and epoxy resins. After it is clean, mended, and etched,
it can use this flooring to coat an existing concrete floor. Can add colors to
the epoxy to fit any decor and add metallic dots for added interest.
If
the surface is level, interlocking tiles made of industrial quality vinyl and
rubber are excellent for concealing cosmetic gaps in your garage floor.
Your contractor can
design patterns or borders by combining different colored tiles.
Of
course, the solutions available depending on your existing floor's state, so
you'll need to consult with a professional contractors to
learn more about your possibilities.