Garage makeovers that create additional liveable space are a rapidly growing home improvement market segment. Two-car garages in single-family homes typically measure 450 square feet in area and feature lofty cathedral ceilings. Wall space is usually abundant and underutilized in garages. Whether you want to store gardening equipment, golf clubs, skis, or anything else, you can hang it all with wall panels.
There is a lot of wasted space up there because it is rarely used. Numerous businesses provide customers with pulley systems and adjustable shelving. Shelving options range from inexpensive plastic bins to heavy-duty, movable steel cabinets. Whether you need a small amount of extra storage or want to build the perfect garage for your collection of classic cars, there is a storage solution for you.
Regardless of budget, the garage floor presents the most significant difficulty for all garage owners. The justifications are as follows.
Concrete absorbs water slowly, making moisture vapor the number one enemy of any floor coating. You can’t see the moisture vapor in a basement or garage, but you can feel it. Unlike other materials, concrete can absorb water. Concrete is often compared to granite’s hardness, although the two are pretty different. Concrete is a moist substance when it is poured. Moisture rises and evaporates as it dries and cures. The humidity rises, permeating the porous track it leaves behind. Your concrete floor has microscopic pores that allow moisture vapor to rise to the surface. Paints and coatings may peel or flake as a result of this.
Oil and grease are two examples of bond breakers that can seep through the pores of a concrete floor after being spilled from a vehicle. Failure’s possible if you don’t remove this before painting or coating your garage floor with an epoxy shield.
Efflorescence is the cause of the seemingly endless accumulation of dust on the floor. The calcium in the concrete is driven to the surface by the moisture vapor. In severe situations, white, chalky dust will appear on the ground.
The problem can be solved by first etching the surface to increase the surface area onto which the epoxy shield coating can cling. The adhesion and sealing-off process is enhanced with increased surface area.
If you discover any grease or oil, a degreaser that can extract oils from the floor will be required. Liquid etching solutions are not degreasers and should not be used for etching.
Using a mechanical grinder or a shot blasting machine to abraid the surface is one of the best cures for preparing the surface first. Compared to using a liquid etching solution, the results from these devices are much more reliable. This stuff is commonly available at hardware and tool rental places. It typically takes a few hours to grind or shoot blast a two-car garage with minimal cleanup and no water.
The floor must be given a few days to dry after being prepared with an acid solution. Epoxy paints and coatings should not be applied to a damp surface. This will retain moisture and speed up the process by which any floor will chip and peel, no matter how well made.
Epoxy paint or coating is easily applied with a roller or squeegee after the floor has been adequately prepared. The standard number of coats for a garage is 2. The first is a sealer, while the second is a primer.
Despite the manufacturer’s claims, you should let the new coating dry for seven days after application. A fresh layer may feel dry to the touch or underfoot, but it will still need at least 6-7 days to cure thoroughly. If you take your time and thoroughly prepare the surface and apply the epoxy shield coating or paint, it will last for years and maintain a shiny, easy-to-clean appearance.
Rustoleum Epoxy Shield’s website is an excellent resource for learning more about the company and the products they offer.
Read also: How to Overcome Changes During Your Home Restoration Project
