Snow. Ice. Road salt. Freezing temperatures. Winter can be rough on any surface, even your garage floor. Though usually made from hardy concrete, garage floors are still susceptible to damage from the elements. Thus, it’s important to winter-proof your garage floor in order to protect it from the cold.
Some of the problems that can come from winter are floor cracking, road salt damage, erosion, slippery surfaces, mold, and difficult cleaning. In order to keep your garage in pristine condition through the winter, here are some good ways to winter-proof the space.
1. Seal Up Cracks
If your garage floor is old or has already developed some cracking, it’s best to seal these up as soon as possible. Cracking can come from a variety of problems: improper installation, incorrect curing, temperature changes, or shifting ground, to name a few.
Cracks or grooves in joints provide space for moisture and dirt to get caught. This leads to further cracking as the moisture freezes and expands and can create grounds for mold. Cleaning out and sealing up the cracks prevents further damage.
2. Protective Coating
Another great option for winter-proofing your garage is laying a protective coating over your concrete base. There are two main materials that people choose for coatings:
- Polyaspartic: Both fast-drying and flexible, this coating is a good choice for colder climates.
- Epoxy: Very durable, resistant to chemicals and moisture, and easy to clean.
It’s best to hire a professional, like Garage Floor Masters, who specializes in certain types of garage floor coatings to get an even and long-lasting result.
3. Water-Repelling Mats
Many people invest in different kinds of mats to contain or resist moisture. Garage floor mats tend to be made of materials like vinyl or rubber that don’t trap moisture, allowing for water to fully dry without seeping into pores and causing damage.
Containment mats are similar in function but have raised edges that keep any water from snow or ice inside the mat. These are good for laying under the spot where your car is parked so any water melting from your tires can safely stay inside the mat.
4. Add Floor Tiles
A non-permanent solution for winter-proofing your garage is installing interlocking floor tiles, which can be added or removed as the seasons change. These tiles tend to be made from PVC or polypropylene and are raised off of the ground. They are slip-resistant and provide enough room for any moisture to fully dry out, preventing ice formation.
5. Ensure Proper Drainage & Sloping
To help your garage be in ideal condition for the winter season, you should check that your garage has proper drainage and slopes to help prevent damage. If your garage floor is too level or has uneven spots, you may notice pooling on the floor. This can lead to staining and water damage.
Check that your garage slopes down toward the door to help usher water out of the garage. Or you may want to consider installing a floor or trench drain to help winter-proof your garage.
6. In-Floor Heating
A less common way that people winter-proof their garage is by installing a heating system to their garage floors. This is a beneficial investment if you are concerned about ice formation on your floor. The heating will help to melt ice and snow that’s tracked in and ensure that no moisture freezes.
You can heat your floors by either installing radiant floor heating or heated mats. This can also help with keeping your garage a comfortable temperature during the colder months.
7. Cleaning & Maintenance
Another way to help winter-proof your garage is by staying on top of regular cleaning and maintenance. Make sure you check your flooring for cracks, pooling, or damage regularly to see if any problems need to be fixed. Remove salt and snow frequently by sweeping or mopping, which will minimize moisture and risk of erosion.
Another way to treat your floor is by putting a mild degreaser or baking soda solution on your floor to minimize damage made by road salt.
Let Us Help You Winter-Proof
Garage Floor Masters in Alpharetta, Georgia can provide you with high quality, weather-resistant epoxy floor coating for your garage. Minimize problems like cracking and damage from salt and moisture with our scratch and water resistant coatings.
Epoxy is easy to clean, slip-resistant, and easily customizable, making it the perfect upgrade to your garage not only in the winter, but year-round. Reach out today to schedule your appointment today!
