Long before Wisconsin’s winter road conditions are a distant memory its leftovers are causing garage floor damage. Road salt residue is deposited on the concrete floor every time you come in from the cold. That corrosive liquid seeps into even the smallest cracks. After months of repeated exposure, it’s deep within the concrete. When temperatures drop inside your Madison WI garage the residue refreezes and expands. The repeated stress damages concrete floor from within.
In addition to cracks and chips on the concrete floor, there’s another curse from road salt: sub-florescence. That’s a fancy term for those white stains left behind when the slush falling off your car evaporates in the garage. The water goes away leaving a stain of crystalized salts bonded to the pores in concrete. Eventually concrete in these stained areas will flake off or spall.
Repair Winter Garage Floor Damage
The No. 1 protection for your garage floor is keeping it clean. Reducing exposure to corrosives limits the risk. Unfortunately, in and around Madison it is almost impossible to keep up during a normal winter.
Once stains get a foothold it will take more than a broom and shovel to clean the garage floor. There are commercial products and age-old remedies – ranging from mixing vinegar with water to using hydrochloric acid. Any do-it-yourself attempt has limited results. Not even modern pressure washers get the stains off. In fact, high-pressure washing can do more harm than good – driving salts deeper into cracks and promoting chipping.
Once the stains are removed pitting and spalling has to be patched. There are several options for products that will bond to existing concrete. Regular cement patch material is a poor choice – it will chip and break away.
Prevent Concrete Damage In Your Garage
If you’re lucky and your garage floor doesn’t need repairs, protection makes sense. There are assorted coatings to do the job. An epoxy floor coating is an excellent choice. It provides concrete floor protection with a flair for style and color.
Epoxy floor coatings are sensible solutions to protect everything from a commercial setup to your family’s garage. Once properly installed an epoxy surface can be cleaned with a broom and mop.
What leads to the appeal of this specialized surface covering? Consider three basics:
- Durability – an epoxy coating is tough. It’s rugged enough to last long time with minimal maintenance. The coating is a thin protective barrier between the environment and concrete. It withstands the weight of heavy cars and high traffic. In addition it withstands the impact of dropped tools.
- Resists stains – the surface withstands chemical and oil spills. It doesn’t stain and is easier to clean than sealed concrete. Wash out the garage with your garden hose to remove road salt residue and any spills. Simple soap and water applied with a mop manages basic cleanup chores all year long.
- Surface protection – after installing one of these high=performance floors you can be assured it will stand up to heavy vehicles, equipment and tools. Roll a pro-sized toolbox around the garage without scratches of scuffs of any kind.
Another aspect of an epoxy surface that impacts daily use is its contribution to your safety. A smooth, level floor reduces the chance of slips, trips and falls. It wipes clean with soap and water to remove slip potential.
In addition to these features, a new garage floor is more comfortable to walk on and looks sharp.
A Garage Floor To Be Proud Of
There’s only one word for a cracked and stained garage floor: ugly. An epoxy floor coating provides a smooth, polished appearance. With added colors and design you create your own custom room for your cars. You can add custom colors, logos and designs for a truly custom look. A bright, colorful garage is an addition you’ll be proud of. And a place you’ll like to visit. Glossy floor reflect light for better overall illumination in the garage – and added perk.
Because epoxy lasts, is durable and practically maintenance-free, it is one of the most cost-effective additions you can make. It’s easy to clean and protects the garage floor so you won’t have major repair or maintenance costs in the future. It adds to the resale value of your property, too.
Guard Against Garage Floor Damage
After a harsh Wisconsin winter, even the best coating of concrete sealant doesn’t protect your garage floor from the corrosive impact of road salt. Your vehicles pull in a concentrated mixture of salt, dirty water and ice melting chemicals. The more you drive, the more of this mixture is deposited on the concrete floor. The right floor covering protects your garage. An epoxy floor provides a smooth, level surface. Done right, it is easy to keep clean all year-round with a mop and broom. In addition epoxy provides a really custom look with dynamic designs and colors.
Experience, proper surface preparation and the right tools are critical to a successful installation. Garage Flooring Solutions is a professional epoxy coatings company serving Madison and the surrounding area with an extensive selection of coatings for all concrete surfaces.
Put the Garage Flooring Solutions team to work in your home, call 608-630-8855. Protect your investment and reduce garage floor damage anywhere in Madison WI.
