How To Seal A Garage Floor

Sealing a garage floor is not a difficult task but requires some skills and additional equipment. All you need to do is clean the floor surface of dust, apply sealant and wait for it to dry completely.

For most homeowners, garage floors are just something to walk on, and that’s pretty much it. They’re rarely given much thought beyond a quick sweep to collect any stray bits of paper or a puff of air to eliminate any dust bunnies.

Moreover, if you live in a climate with freezing winters and warm summers, it might be time to think about sealing your garage floor. Sealing a concrete floor will reduce oil and grease stains, protect against moisture and the elements, and make your garage floor easier to clean.

If you have never done it before, don’t worry, you are not alone. It can be a tricky process, but that is what we are here for. In this article, we will be going over the process of sealing a garage floor step by step.

After you have finished reading this article, you will be able to start your floor sealing project with ease, so make sure to pay attention. But before we start, please check my list of things you may need to do the job correctly.

✶

What You May Need To Seal A Garage Floor

Garage floor sealer
Concrete cleaner
Paint remover
Scrubbing brush
Paint roll or brush

How To Seal A Garage Floor: Step By Step Guide

1. Choose A Sealant

Today’s market offers four different sealant types. Let’s explore all of them with their pros and cons:
1. Epoxy sealant: Epoxy sealant is an excellent choice for your garage because it can withstand the most abuse, last for years, and can be easily cleaned. It is made of a chemical compound usually, epoxy, mixed with a solvent.
2. Polyurethane sealant: One of the most popular products for garage floors is polyurethane sealant. This sealer has many excellent features that make it stand among the competition. It is a very resilient product that can easily withstand vehicles’ weight, including those that weigh up to five tons. Another feature that makes it stand out is that it acts as a moisture barrier, meaning that moisture will not penetrate the garage flooring.
3. Acrylic: Although epoxy and polyurethane have been the traditional choices for sealing garage floors, both have drawbacks. Epoxy doesn’t have much choice when it comes to color, and polyurethane can yellow with age. Acrylic sealant, on the other hand, offers many advantages. It’s available in a wide range of colors, it’s easy to apply, and it’s less expensive than either epoxy or polyurethane. In addition, it can be used in a single coat, extending the life of the floor and making it much easier to maintain.
4. Silane/Siloxane: This sealant typically consists of a thixotropic liquid rubber applied using a garden-type sprayer. It cures to a hard surface that is water-resistant and stain-resistant. Most silane/siloxane sealants come in various colors, although the most common color is gray.

2. Decluttering The Garage

You know that feeling when you look around and see your garage floor cluttered with old bicycles, paint cans, and boxes of old laundry detergent bottles? Before you start painting the garage floor, you need to declutter the area. Try to fully clean all the space in your garage if many objects need to be moved.

3. Clean And Repair The Floor

As you may have heard me say before, sealing a garage floor takes a lot of work. In addition to the prep work and the sealing process, sealing a floor also requires a significant amount of cleaning. In fact, one of the most time-consuming parts of sealing a garage floor is removing all of the dirt, grime, and debris that has built up over time.
It is so important to take care of this before sealing the floor because once the garage floor is sealed, you will not be able to clean it. So, if you have not already done so, get on out to the garage and get to work!

4. Gently Apply Sealant

Applying sealant is not hard. All you need is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on the sealant package. It is also essential to use the right tool to spread the sealant to be evenly distributed across the floor’s surface. Make sure that you also follow the recommended drying time for the sealant before using the garage again.
While applying the sealant on a garage floor, you also need to prepare the right things before applying it. One of the things you need to do is to make sure that you have adequate ventilation.
The reason why ventilation is necessary is because of the off-gassing of the sealants. If the sealant you are going to use is water-based, it is important to point out that the product will release moisture during the drying process.

✶

FAQ

Will Sealing Work For An Old Concrete Floor?

You have an old concrete floor that’s dull and stained, and you want to know what will work with it. Epoxy sealant is the best for your old concrete floor. But before sealing, you need to repair the surface because sealing will not fix cracks that have developed into holes.

What Should I Use To Seal My Garage Floor?

Several types of garage floor sealants are available, but the most valuable are epoxy and polyurethane sealants.

What Is The Best Garage Floor Coating?

There are many different products and processes to seal a garage floor to stay looking great year after year. A garage floor sealer is the best product to cover the concrete surface. It is easy to apply, durable and offers protection against harsh chemicals, water, and other garage hazards.