Garage floor repairs start from $500 to $1,750, and patching starts from $1,000. The parking garage isn’t only meant for small cars. Many heavy vehicles and equipment pass through and are stored on it too. This eats away at the surface of the parking garage and requires constant fixes.
Parking garages are an important component of the American urban landscape. Most of them are also directly exposed to nature’s elements which can sometimes destroy the parking garage. Generally, we’ve seen a laxer attitude regarding maintenance and care for the parking garage. Unfortunately, this lax attitude can make the damage worse. Here are some tips, from adding garage floor coatings to regular checks that can prolong its life.
Tip #1: Construct It Right
If you have yet to build your parking garage or are redoing it completely, ensure the materials are right. This will ensure durability and prolong the life of the parking garage. Check the recommendations of the American Concrete Institute in their ACI 362. They explain how to design a durable parking structure and lay out all design fundamentals to follow. Any contractors you hire for the job should adhere to the regulations and recommendations to start it off right.
Tip #2: Use A Garage Floor Coating
The best practice is to design a parking garage with durability, but if you’re looking for ways to improve an existing parking garage, you’ll need floor coating. Garage floor coating is an excellent option for extending the life of the garage and can help in heat retention as well. However, regular floor paint will also peel and lift. A coating, on the other hand, protects against it. It’s also impact resistant, covers cracks on the concrete below, and is easy to clean. It can also hold up to 10,000 psi (pounds per square inch) of weight.
Tip #3: Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
You can’t underestimate the value of regular cleaning and maintenance. Remove any harmful chemicals from the garage surface quickly and ensure regular maintenance checks. Of course, it’s best to keep chemicals out of the garage altogether, but if it’s also a workspace with professional and hobbyist mechanics, try an epoxy floor coating. We already discussed how much weight an epoxy floor coating can hold, but it’s also a fantastic way to stop chemicals or oil spills from reaching the concrete.
There should be frequent washdowns. A parking garage will endure a lot of road salt in cold climates to de-ice the floors. The combination of salt and water can ruin the surface by causing concrete spalling. Parking garages need regular washdowns. This will also help identify leaking and deterioration.
Tip #4: Deal With Structural Problems
Whether you add an epoxy floor coating or not, checking for structural problems frequently helps. A significant problem with parking structures is the concrete cracks, which allow chemicals and dirt to settle in the cracks. To prolong the life of the parking garage, you must deal with structural problems and seal all the cracks. In addition, check the seals frequently to confirm they’re still effective. Garage owners should also hire professionals to inspect cracks, water leakage, and other structural problems. An inspection should also include the sounding of the structural elements. For example, a chain drag test can help identify problems inside the concrete. Through this test, any hollow sounds will become more audible.
Tip #5:Address Cosmetic Needs
A properly maintained parking garage doesn’t only mean making the floor strong; you’ll also need to address the cosmetic needs. Stairwells and windows need frequent cleaning and inspection for possible damage. Remember that exposure to natural elements like UV rays can damage the surface. If there are windows in the parking structure that allow sunlight, a UV film on top of it can help prevent problems.
Moreover, any signs, handrails, and metal parts need protection, so they don’t deteriorate. Always check for rust. If there is rust, it will indicate that there is moisture intrusion. Anything related to parking and revenue control in a parking garage needs checks and upkeep regularly as well as sprucing up if there is any damage. Finally, don’t embed any electrical conduit in the cast-in-place concrete portions of the parking structure.
Tip #6: Manage the Load on Asphalt
Concrete can manage heavy loads to a certain extent. Anything above that will damage it. All loading docks and large trash containers should be located a few ways off the parking garage so that heavy commercial vehicles don’t pass over the asphalt or park on it, especially if the parking lot is only meant for pickup trucks and SUVs.
Tip #7: Protective Concrete Over Reinforcing Steel
Increase the protective concrete over the reinforcing steel to improve the durability of the parking garage. Professionals recommend having at least a 2-inch thick surface if the concrete is frequently exposed to de-icing chemicals. In addition, you can add an epoxy floor coating to increase the durability even more.
Need a Garage Floor Coating for Your Parking Garage?
There’s a lot that can cause that damage to a parking garage. Luckily, there are just as many things we can use to protect it. A garage floor coating will do the trick, and Steel Coated Epoxy Floors can help with that. Compared to regular garage floor paints that can only make the garage look good, we provide epoxy floor coating made of resin and hardener, which makes the garage look amazing and increases its durability.
We offer residential and commercial epoxy floor coating in Layton, Draper, Las Vegas, and Prescott. So whether it’s a garage, shop, basement, patio, or warehouse, we can transform the space that lasts long and looks amazing. Get the exact floor you want with our multiple shades and flake options.
Contact us today to request a quote!
