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on Jul 18, 2012

How do I repair my crumbling garage floor pad?

Our 15 year old garage floor has cracked and crumbled away at the very edge where the garage door sits and where the pad meets the driveway. What product should I use to build up the concrete now that it seems to be happening across the entire length of the pad where the door sits?

3 Comments

Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

Jacquie, this is a common issue when the garage threshold is exposed to the elements and salts during the winter months. This deterioration can also be the result of a poor mix of cement. In any case the repair may be a bit harder then you would like it to be.
The issue with repairing cement slabs, whether it is a patio or garage floor is that cement does not bond well when doing repairs. There are several products that you paint on the older cement ...»
that is supposed to give the new cement some grip, but these are short lived and often fail quite quickly. Add to the fact that the edge where you speak of is exposed to the heat and cool of the seasons as well as the elements and auto tires that come into contact with the cement every day.
So what can you do?
A good quality repair will take some doing. The existing cement must be removed to allow for a thick new cement pour. This will require you to remove a good portion of the slab where its deteriorated to allow for a new cement pour to be several inches thick. This is not a simple DIY project and requires the use of some very heavy tools. In any case the damaged area must be removed and the old cement floor or apron must be pinned using a drill and steel rods to the existing slab that is left behind. This will provide for the new cement pour to attach to the old floor effectively making them act as one.
If the floor only has what is called spalling. This is where the surface peels away in thin layers. An epoxy coating could be applied to seal the surface and slow or stop this deterioration from occurring. But this will not really change the appearance of the damaged cement only to help prevent it from additional decay in the short term.
If water sits on this area for prolonged periods of time after a rain or car wash this should be addressed prior or during the repairs being made. Standing water can destroy cement in short order. This is a good time to install a driveway drain and cement it into the new repair. This of course assumes water is the cause of the issue that your speaking about.
While patching the cement may make the surface look ok for a while, it will soon deteriorate to a point that you will need to do it all over again.
No matter what you decide to do, its not going to be a fun project and it may be a bit harder then you would like to accomplish on your own.

on Jul 19, 2012 · Like 0
Jacquie D

thank you so much for the advice...it is just as I expected! I will budget for a professional repair.

on Jul 19, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

I have to agree with many of the points woodbridge made...this is not a DIY fun project like tiling your bath...concrete demo is WORK...and that is only the first necessary part...drilling...rebar...forms...the pour...
you are wise to save your money for a pro job.

on Jul 19, 2012 · Like 0