We’ve blogged about garage flooring a number of times over the last few years, but fall is a good time to revisit the topic. Many of the problems that concrete garage flooring is prone to in the Lower Mainland region begin to creep in at this time of year, and may not stop again until the following summer if left untreated.
Even though the greater Vancouver area does not experience the same intensity of freeze-thaw cycles as the rest of Canada (last winter being the only possible exception to that generality) which tend to wreak havoc on concrete garage floors, driveways and patios, we have our own unique challenges here. Rainfall and overall moisture levels are the most notable ones we face. Those who live in close proximity to the ocean face an extra threat by way of salt, which accelerates corrosion in concrete. Just because we have mild winters and warm dry summers doesn’t mean we don’t have to worry about concrete problems.
We always advise customers to seal concrete flooring in the garage for several reasons, including:
1) It eliminates concrete dust: Have you ever walked into your garage in your socks and noticed when you came back inside that they were covered in chalky dust? This is a fairly common issue with concrete flooring that hasn’t been sealed. It happens when the surface of a concrete garage floor disintegrates due to weakness of the layers underneath. One contributing factor to weak concrete is excess moisture. Even the best efforts at laying concrete only when it’s not raining outside can be thwarted by an unexpected rainfall while concrete is curing, or simply an excess of moisture in the environment even when it’s not actively raining. Sound familiar? Processing and sealing of a concrete garage floor eliminates that annoying concrete dust and keeps it from happening for the lifetime of the coating.
2) It eliminates other problems common to concrete floors: This includes spalling, which happens when moisture within the floor pushing upward and causing the surface to crack, flake or peel.
3) It preserves the overall life of the floor: Coating it with a hybrid polymer product like Tailored Living’s PremierOne® flooring products will extend its life exponentially.
4) It will be easier to clean: If you’ve ever tried sweeping a floor made of concrete, you’ve probably noticed that, no matter how meticulously you sweep, it seems like the floor is still dusty afterward. That’s because all concrete is porous. Depending on setting conditions, it may be more or less porous, but even the most densely-hardened concrete has microscopic holes and cracks. Dust and dirt settles into those cracks, that when you sweep, often all you are doing is moving dirt out of one crack and depositing it into another one. Mopping isn’t much better because you just end up creating mud. A floor sealed with a coating like PremierOne® evens out the surface by filling in those pores and cracks.
The smooth surface ensures all dirt and debris can be swept away, and you won’t make a muddy mess if you want to mop. Spot-cleaning is just as simple, too. If you get an oil spill or other type of stain, wipe away with a clean, dry cloth (shop towels work just fine). If any trace remains, clean with a clean damp rag and mild soap.
5) It is resistant to mold and mildew: Most everyone who has lived here for any length of time has probably had experience with mold and mildew growing in various places throughout the house.
6) It’s more than a mere coating: PremierOne® doesn’t just sit on the concrete’s surface like a skin. It actually bonds chemically with the floor so instead of floating like a skin, it becomes a part of the concrete itself.
7) It is stain resistant: PremierOne® coatings repel stains, including those common to the garage, like motor oil.
8) It’s resistant to mold and mildew: It’s not just bad for walls: mold and mildew can damage concrete to and generally shorten its lifespan. A PremierOne® coating will prevent mold and mildew from finding its way into concrete pores and causing long-term damage.
9) It’s fade resistant: The color will stay vibrant and not get washed dull by UV light.
10) It is available in a variety of finishes: PremierOne® coatings are more than just practical. They make your floor, and your whole garage, look amazing. Your floor will stand out much more than it would if merely polished. PremierOne® floor coatings come in a variety of styles (solid colors, textured, stone-look and more) and will add curb appeal to your home. Just make sure you leave the garage door open so all of your neighbours can see what they’re missing out on.
11) It’s backed by a generous guarantee: If you have any problems with your floor, we’ll fix it.
Don’t let your garage floor become a casualty of the wet weather of the Lower Mainland. Tailored Living (which also owns the Premier Garage brand). We would be happy to come in and give you a free estimate on the cost of coating your garage floor. In fact, we can treat any concrete floor, whether it’s a patio, basement or utility room. Tailored Living does all of the work, from prepping and sanding the floor to the final coat. Best of all, PremierOne®