Water leaks in the garage is a homeowner’s — and renter’s! — nightmare. Whether it’s a leak from your washer, air condensation, or heavy rain flowed in, don’t risk water damage. There are so many factors to consider when deciding between a repair or replacement. Know the dangers of water damage, find solutions, and use these tips to prevent damages. Here are some tips for you to restore your garage floors after the leak.
Damp Possibilities
You need to know how your floors got damp, so let’s start with where the water came from. If you didn’t experience a washer leak or heavy rain, there are other possibilities. When humid air hits cold concrete, water vapor in the air begins to condense on the surface of the concrete. This typically occurs in the spring and summer because the ground temperature is low and the air is humid. Another factor to consider is a vapor barrier not being installed under slabs before the concrete is placed. When this happens, moisture penetrates through the concrete and becomes damp. If there are cracks, the groundwater can come up through the cracks and leave puddles on the floor.
Risks of Water Damage
Once the water hits your floor, you are risking immediate damage. Don’t ignore any signs of moisture in your garage! Disregarding a leak could lead to structural damage, health issues, safety concerns, and financial disturbances.
Consider Your Floor’s Demand
Your garage floor has to take on a lot. Consider its endurance against the average weight of vehicles, which is approximately 4,000 pounds. Add in regular everyday foot traffic, especially because most homeowners use the garage as the main entrance. Your floor is exposed to all sorts of liquids and materials that attribute to the deterioration of the concrete. Throw in temperature shifts that stress your floor.
Installation Age and Quality
If it’s been a while, it may be time to replace your garage floor. Garage floor surfaces have a lifespan of up to 25 years. If yours is older than that or poorly installed, it’s time for it to go. Don’t DIY your floors; the conditions have to be perfect, mistakes happen, and it will save you money in the long run.
Choose New Floors
Once you identify the source of the problem, it’s time to get to work. Your garage floors take on so much abuse and doesn’t have a long life span. Don’t put a bandaid on it — replace it. Coat your floor with high-quality, chemical-resistant epoxy floor systems. There are so many benefits to epoxy floors, including durability, low maintenance, eco-friendly, and appearance. Be sure to ventilate and get rid of any mold or mildew stink left behind.
Moving forward, take extra precautions to extend the life of your new floors, keep them clean and safe with just routine maintenance and immediate damage control.
Don’t wait to contact a professional. At Garage Design Works, we offer Orlando garage floor solutions for every space. Contact us today for a free in-home consultation and to learn more about what we have to offer!