Preparing your garage for a garage floor coating is much like laying the foundation for a sturdy home—it all starts with proper prep. Just as you wouldn’t build a house on an unstable foundation, garage epoxy flooring ensures the final result will be strong and durable. Good thing it’s a lot easier than installing a foundation! Let’s review key steps for preparing your garage for a floor coating.
Clearing the Space for Installation
Before the professionals arrive, it’s essential to empty the garage floor completely:
- Move all items out: From tools to bikes and furniture, everything needs to go. Here are some options:
- Storage units: Renting a short-term storage unit can be a convenient way to store larger items like lawnmowers and bikes.
- Basement or extra room: Smaller items like boxes of tools or seasonal decorations can be temporarily stored inside your home.
- Outdoor storage: For appliances like refrigerators or freezers, they can be placed outside under a secure tarp, with the doors locked to prevent accidents. Be mindful of Colorado’s unpredictable weather and make sure items stored outdoors are well-covered.
- Any electronics that cannot be removed must be wrapped.
- No need to remove wall-mounted items unless they are within 36 inches of the floor.
Your garage floor needs to be fully accessible for the concrete coating crew to work efficiently and effectively.
Shut Off HVAC Units
During the epoxy floor installation (or other residential epoxy flooring installations, like waterproofing basements), it’s important to turn off any HVAC systems located in the garage. Just as you wouldn’t want dust blowing through your home while renovating, this step keeps dust and odors from entering your home. Make sure the system stays off until the top coat is applied and fully cured. This ensures a cleaner, dust-free installation environment.
Pause Home Maintenance, Work in the Yard
It’s crucial to pause any yard work or home maintenance around the time of your garage floor installation. Mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, or even working on a DIY home project near the garage can send dust and debris into the air, which could impact the coating process. To ensure your new epoxy flooring sets perfectly, hold off on those projects until the top coat has fully cured.
Zero Concrete Surface Prep Required
You don’t need to worry about prepping the floor yourself. Leave the hard work to the professionals. They’ll ensure the surface is ready for the coating:
- Grinding the floor: The garage floor coating team will grind down the existing concrete, removing old coatings, paint, and other debris. This process opens the pores of the concrete, allowing the new coating to bond properly.
- Filling cracks: Any cracks or imperfections in the floor will be filled and smoothed, ensuring an even surface for the new coating to adhere to. The goal is to create a seamless surface that can withstand the extreme temperature shifts in Colorado Springs.
Why Colorado Springs Garages Need Epoxy Coating
In Colorado Springs, weather can be unpredictable, with cold winters and hot summers. A residential epoxy floor coating provides your garage with protection against temperature changes, moisture, and wear. These coatings are also easy to clean and maintain, making them perfect for high-traffic areas like your garage.