When you’re prepping your garage for a garage floor coating installation, you’re setting the stage for an excellent renovation. Before any new flooring can be installed, you have to clear the space and make sure everything is ready for the pros to do their job. In Toledo, where weather can range from humid summers to freezing winters, getting the details right is crucial to ensure the coating performs optimally. The steps are easy — here’s how you can prep your garage floor for a pro epoxy flooring installation.
Garage Floor: Clear It Out!
To get started, all items must be removed from the garage. Here are some popular methods:
- Move items into the house: Small belongings, like boxes, tools, and sports equipment, can be temporarily stored in a spare room, basement, or attic.
- Use a storage unit: For larger items like shelving units, lawnmowers, or bikes, consider renting a storage unit or portable pod. These offer a safe and secure place to keep your belongings during the installation process.
- Neighbor’s garage: If you have friendly neighbors, moving items across the street for a few days can be a convenient option. Just make sure you keep track of what’s where to avoid confusion.
- Store items outside under a tarp: Large appliances, such as freezers or refrigerators, can be placed outside under a tarp. Just make sure they’re securely locked to prevent children from accessing them and that they are well-covered to avoid damage from Toledo’s ever-changing weather.
- Be sure to wrap any electronics that cannot be removed from the garage.
- Don’t remove wall-mounted items unless they are within 3 feet of the floor. If they’re above 3 feet, leave ‘em where they’re at!
Just like clearing out furniture before installing new flooring in your house, you’ll want the space completely cleared before the garage floor coating process begins.
Switch Off the HVAC System
During the installation, it’s important to turn off any HVAC systems located in the garage. This prevents dust and odors from circulating through your home, much like covering vents when doing home renovations. Keep the system off until the top coat has fully cured. This step ensures a dust-free, clean installation environment, allowing your new garage epoxy floor to set properly.
Yard Work and Home Projects: Break Time
While your garage floor is getting its fresh new look, it’s best to pause on any yard work or home maintenance projects near the garage. Whether it’s mowing the lawn, working with power tools, or doing small repairs, these activities can kick up dust and debris that might settle on the freshly applied coating. Give your new floor the clean environment it needs to cure properly by holding off on those tasks until the installation is complete.
No Need for Surface/Concrete Prep
You don’t need to worry about prepping the floor yourself. Much like when installing hardwood floors, where the professionals handle leveling the subfloor, the coating experts will do all the surface prep:
- Grinding the concrete: The crew will grind down the surface to remove any old coatings, paint, or stains. This process also opens the pores of the concrete, ensuring the new coating will bond well.
- Filling cracks: Any cracks or joints will be filled and smoothed, ensuring a solid, even surface for the coating to adhere to. This is particularly important in Toledo, where seasonal temperature fluctuations and moisture can cause untreated concrete to crack over time.
Just clear the garage out, hit that HVAC button, and take a quick break from other large projects. All this prep stuff is best left to us (we live for this stuff anyway). It’s as easy as that!
Why Toledo Garages Benefit From Epoxy Floor Coatings
In Toledo, weather fluctuations can cause damage to untreated concrete floors. A properly installed residential epoxy floor coating acts like insulation for your garage floor, protecting it from moisture, temperature changes, and general wear and tear, much like you’d insulate your home to protect it from the elements. These coatings offer both durability and aesthetic appeal, making your garage floor stronger and more attractive.