Things people ask us
These come up at nearly every measure. If yours isn’t here, put it in the notes on the quote form.
Coatings and chips
Epoxy or polyaspartic: which one do you use?
Both, in different layers. Epoxy is thick and grabs concrete hard, so it goes down first. It has two weak spots: plenty of epoxies turn yellow in sun, and they slow to a crawl in the cold. Polyaspartic has neither problem, so it goes on top as the clear coat.
Why do some garage floors peel up under the tires?
That’s hot-tire pickup. A tire coming off a long drive is warm and soft. It sticks to the coating, and as it cools it can pull up anything that wasn’t properly bonded. Kits rolled onto etched concrete are the usual victims. Grinding the slab is the fix, so we grind every floor.
Which flake colour hides dirt best?
A busy mix in middle tones. It swallows sand and salt residue. Pale blends lighten a dark garage, but dirt shows on them sooner. We bring loose chips to the visit so you can judge them under your own lights.
Salt, cold and chinooks
Does road salt hurt a coated floor?
Bare concrete takes the damage, because brine soaks in and then freezes inside it. On a sealed floor the brine just sits there until you push it out the door. Give it a rinse during winter and a real wash once the streets are swept in spring.
What does a chinook do to concrete?
Warm wind, meltwater into the slab, then a hard freeze that night. Water expands as it freezes, which flakes the surface near the door and opens up cracks. Sealing keeps water out of the concrete, and fixing the cracks first takes away the starting points.
Will you install in January?
In an attached or heated garage, yes. At the measure we check how cold the slab is, and we might ask you to run the heater for a day or so around the install. A cold detached garage is better left until the weather turns.
Cracks, damp and curbs
What’s the moisture test for?
Water vapour can rise through a slab from the ground, and fresh concrete is full of water for a while. Trap enough of it under a coating and it blisters. A high reading gets a primer made for damp concrete, or we suggest waiting.
Can a cracked floor be coated?
Nearly always. We cut the crack open, fill it and grind it level. Control joints are left so they can still do their job. If a crack is moving or lifting, we’ll say so and tell you whether it should be fixed first.
Can you coat the low concrete curbs along the walls?
Those stem walls take a lot of salty spray. We can run the same coating up them so the floor looks finished edge to edge. It’s an add-on, priced by the linear foot.
The day we show up
How many days will you be here?
One, for most single and double garages. A big floor, a lot of repair or a moisture primer can stretch it to two. We’ll tell you which before we start.
When can I park inside again?
You can walk on it the next day. Give it a few days before the car goes back in, a bit longer if the garage is cold. We give you the dates before we pack up.
How do I get the garage ready?
Empty the floor. Wall-mounted cabinets can usually stay put. We need power and a way in for the day.
After it’s done
What should I clean it with?
Sweep or run a dust mop. In winter, squeegee the slush out. To wash it, use a pH-neutral cleaner, not vinegar or citrus degreaser. Kickstands and jack stands should sit on a pad.
Is it slick when it’s wet?
Flake has some texture built in. Want more bite? A fine grit can go into the clear coat. Try the samples at the measure and pick.
What does a coated garage floor cost?
Roughly $6–$10 a square foot. Where you land depends on the slab, repairs, stem walls and finish. A typical double comes in around $2,900 – $4,800 before tax. You get an exact written number after the free measure.
Get a number for your garage
We measure, test the slab for moisture and leave a written price. Free, and usually within the week.