Getting Ready for a Garage Floor Coating

Last fall, we got our blacktop driveway re-sealed. We have a long driveway with woods on either side. We had to figure out where to park our vehicles for several days. Pre-planning where to stage the vehicles and lawnmower made those four days nearly painless.

This project reminded me how often our team at STRONGHOLD FLOORS encounters homeowners who want to have a garage floor coating installed, but don’t know what they should do before our crew arrives. Read on to learn what you need to do prior to a garage floor coatings installation.

Determine Where the Garage’s Stuff is Going

There are many options for moving the contents of your garage. You can:

• Move stuff to the back porch or basement.
• Donate useful items to charities or non-profit organizations.
• Throw away useless items.
• Sell items in a yard sale or community sale.
• Place items in rental storage (PODS, U-Haul, storage locker).
• Move items across the street to the neighbor’s garage.
• Place items in the driveway under the big blue tarps sold at hardware stores. (Just ensure that if you move a refrigerator or freezer outside, that the appliance is locked or secured so that no children can gain access.)

The following articles talk about this task more in-depth:

• Garage Makeovers: The Clean Out Before the Renovation
• When Garage Floor Coatings Require Serious Storage Solutions

Get New Drain Caps and Floor Cover Plates

If you have drains in your floor, ensure the caps are still serviceable. If they're cracked or rusted through, seek out replacement caps at a hardware store or construction supply.

If there are any cover plates and you would like them coated with epoxy, ensure the plates are clean and rust free. Large plates can often be sand or bead blasted at a local powder coating shop.

PVC caps can be stained or scratched. Our crews prepare the drain caps and coat them so that the drains are extremely hard to see, but still fully functional.

Update or Replace Garage Door Seals

If your garage has door seals attached to the floor, ensure they are still serviceable and are the correct look for your soon to be enhanced garage floor. Our crews can work around these seal strips. Seals can be added over the coatings if desired after the coatings are complete.

Remove Any Moveable Fixtures

It’s always best to ensure the coatings cover as much of the floor as possible. This often requires removal of:

• Deep Sinks: These usually have removable legs and can be quickly unhooked from the plumbing at the quick connects.
• Storage cabinets: If it’s not built into the wall, it's a good idea to get it out. When the time comes to throw out that cabinet, you don’t want a big, bare spot on the floor.

Ensure NO Yard or Home Maintenance Occurs During Coatings Installation Dates

The following activities must not occur during a garage coatings installation anywhere within 75 feet of the garage doors:

• Mowing the grass
• Application of mulch
• Use of leaf blowers
• Trimming of trees or bushes
• Sanding or painting
• Blacktop application or sealing
• Pressure spraying or cleaning of siding, brick, or stone

Even when the crew is gone, the garage door often remains slightly ajar. These activities should be avoided to allow the coatings to cure for at least 24 hours after the installation has completed.

Remove or Wrap Any Electronics That Cannot be Removed

If any electronics or sensitive items must stay in the garage, they should be wrapped in plastic to ensure they are protected from dust or chips.

Turn Off HVAC Units Located in the Garage

This needs to occur for the entire time of the installation, until the top coat has been applied. It ensures no dust or odors are pulled into the system and the home.

What Don’t You Need to Do

• Don't clean or scrub the floor. Just cleaning up any debris off the floor is sufficient.
• Don't fill the cracks or joints. Most repair materials available to homeowners will not allow proper bonding of the coating or hold up to the surface grinding employed to prepare the concrete.
• Don't sand off paint. The grinding process will remove any floor paints or epoxy paint kits.
• Don't remove sealers. The grinding process will remove any sealers or waxes.
• Don't remove wall-mounted items. This isn't required if you're not bothered by minor dust or decorative chips. It is required if the items are within 36” of the floor (as these may impede our grinders or crew members preparing the concrete along the wall).

Don't have a floor coatings project scheduled yet and are wondering how? You can start by requesting a free quote online! One of our experienced territory managers will get into contact with you shortly after submission.

Mike Mincemoyer is the President & Business Development Manager at STRONGHOLD FLOORS. He has worked with over 1,000 homeowners in central and southeastern Pennsylvania on garage coatings and complete garage enhancement projects.