Is your garage floor pitted and covered with stains? Do you want it to look new again? If so, continue reading to find out how you can resurface your garage floor. This article will teach you about concrete resurfacing products and they can restore your garage floor.

Concrete Resurfacing Products

Concrete resurfacing products are quite a bit more expensive per bag than ordinary concrete; however, they allow you to make your floors look new again without completely removing the old concrete floor and pouring a new concrete garage floor. These products are different from ordinary concrete or mortar because the resurfacing products contain bonding agents to ensure a good adhesion to your concrete floor. Finally, resurfacing products are self-leveling and only need to be poured and smoothed with a squeegee.

Tools

• Pressure washer
• Push broom
• Resurfacing product
• Drill with concrete mixing paddle attachment
• Squeegee
• Plastic sheeting
• Protective gear
• Bucket

A Clean Floor is Key to a Successful Resurfacing Job

To begin this project, install the plastic sheeting 3 feet up each wall of the garage to protect your walls from damage. If your garage is unfinished, attach the plastic sheeting to each wall stud with a staple or nail. If your garage has finished drywall, hang the plastic sheeting with painter's tape. You will also want to secure the plastic sheeting at the bottom of the wall. This is best accomplished using painter's tape. Apply the painter's tape to the plastic sheeting and the garage floor. Then, take a razor blade and cut the tape an 1/8 of an inch away from the wall and remove the excess tape. Normally, the concrete at the base of a wall is in pristine shape and doesn't need resurfaced. Using this taping technique will totally protect your walls without ruining your finished project.

Once the plastic sheeting has been installed, scrub the floor using a concrete degreaser and a stiff broom to remove all old stains. Rinse the floor twice with a pressure washer to ensure all residue has been removed. Begin at the back of your garage and rinse toward the front of your garage to force the dirty water out of your garage. Allow the floor to dry completely, and then sweep to remove any fine particles that may remain.

Mix the Resurfacer

At this point, you will need a helper. Because the resurfacer sets up quickly, it is important to have one person mixing the resurfacing product while another person is spreading the resurfacing compound. With two people working together, all of the resurfacer can be spread out before it begins to set up.

For best results, you want the resurfacer to be smooth and lump-free. Pour the concrete resurfacing compound into a bucket and add the amount of water specified on the package instructions. Mix until the mixture appears smooth. Then, allow the resurfacer to rest, or slake, for a couple of minutes. Finally, mix again, ensuring any product on the sides of the bucket is incorporated into the mixture. This technique will create a mixture that is uniform and smooth.

Apply the Resurfacer

In order for the resurfacer to properly bond to the existing concrete, the concrete floor needs to be damp. Lightly mist water onto the floor. If puddles form in low-lying areas, use a broom to push the excess water out of the garage. Next, pour the resurfacer on the floor and spread it using a squeegee. Overlap each stroke for a uniform look, working as quickly as possible. Continue mixing, pouring and smoothing the resurfacer until you have completely overlaid the entire floor.

Once the resurfacing product has been applied, it will need to harden. If you are working on a hot, dry day, mist the floor every fifteen minutes to slow down the drying process. This will ensure that the resurfacer hardens correctly. Once the floor has dried for several hours, it can support foot traffic. Walk along and inspect the floor for any pitting. If pits can still be seen, apply a second coat of the resurfacer using the steps listed above. If no pits are found, allow the garage floor to cure for 24 to 48 hours before parking a car on it.

You can make your garage look like new again. Instead of completely removing the old garage floor and pouring a new floor, resurface your garage floor. If you have concrete in disrepair that needs more than just simple refinishing, consider hiring a company like Osco Mudjacking & Shotcreting Ltd concrete repair.