Cracks in Garage Floor Near Door. Worry?
Hello. My garage is below grade and I had been getting lots of rain under my garage door the past few months. I replaced the weather seal at the bottom and (more effectively) rerouted my drainage spout. Today I found that the garage floor in the corner under the door has thin crack. My garage floor IS my foundation (my house is built on top). Can I clean and patch this crack or is it panic time? Thank you so much for any advice.
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Hi Bob
Here is some info that may help you out. I would consider getting several free estimates from foundation companies that can answer your questions after inspecting your garage.
https://buyersask.com/structural/concrete-slab/cracks-in-a-concrete-garage-floor-when-to-worry/
http://www.montrealgazette.com/mike+holmes+cracking+wise+garage+floors/3452424/story.html
I would consult a licensed contractor for the best advice.
Is there living space under your garage? Is so, worry! Is this near an interior wall? Also not good. If not it’s not that huge of a deal.
I don’t think it’s panic time but you definitely want to bring in a pro to examine it and stop any further issues.
Hi Bob, I'd have at least a couple of contractors come out and take a look at your issue. My concern would be where the crack is located and that it might affect the garage door vertical hardware since the crack is so close. You did the best thing possible by rerouting the the drainage but it still may not have been enough. Many contractors will take a look for free and each one may have a different "take" on what needs done, but you'll learn and one of the solutions or their advice will make sense to you.
Bring in contractors to evaluate the crack, it kind of looks like there was maybe some erosion under that corner causing a crack. They could give you free opinions-advice, and you can go from there.
All excellent suggestions here. Glad you did reroute drainage. Another option is to install a drainage ditch across the entire entry into the garage so water will never intrude into the garage and /or home itself. Not knowing the grading of your property, that water needs to go somewhere, but if you get a few free estimates from licensed professionals, you can make an educated and well informed decision.
Here is how to hire any contractor you will ever need.
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0242-hiring-contractor
It should be settling cracks, but if you feel its getting worse contact a structure engineer.
I would clean and seal the crack. If it comes back then I would call in a concrete contractor.
Hello Bob,
Rake out and dry out the crack, then fill it with an Epoxy Resin. The Drive level is running into the garage, so the best bet would be to do what we have done, and that is to fit a " Seal" to the garage floor that will run across the width of the garage, sloping down at the front and back of the bump! This is made of a sort of Black Rubber, I think.
Sorry can't remember where I bought it from, It's been a while now and I have moved Home since, but it worked and looked smart and cheaper than the other alternative. The other Alternative would be to fit a Half Drain and Cover across front of drive.
A trench drain grate can catch the water and direct it to a dry well or other location. They are usually about 4" wide and you can drive over them. The cracks can be fixed. Clean out and refill with a concrete filler.
Here's a post that might help - https://buyersask.com/structural/concrete-slab/cracks-in-a-concrete-garage-floor-when-to-worry/
You definitely can patch it. Check into a product called SIKA. Watch some of the videos. I think it would be a good solution for you. Good thing you are proactive.
Since I live in the PNW, we have these big bulbous rubber gaskets at the base of our garage doors. https://www.amazon.com/M-D-Building-Products-87668-Universal/dp/B0006VAM1K/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=seal+for+garage+door&qid=1607559744&sr=8-8
Yes I would patch it.
And yes I would add an extender to the base of the downspout to move the water farther away from the building.https://www.amazon.com/s?k=downspout+extension&crid=2CR6GFOD1I5P3&sprefix=downspout%2Caps%2C258&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-a-p_1_9
I saw a you tube on using wood stove ash to fill in cracks. It hardens like cement. Good in potholes. I’ve dumped ash out (being lazy) & eventually it hardened & I had to pick axe it out. Google uses for wood stove ash-lots of uses.