Restore a pitted concrete garage floor with an easy-to-apply resurfacing product. It'll make the floor look fresh and new again at a modest price.
By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine:March 2011
A spalled (pitted) garage floor looks horrible. And patches will just pop out eventually. But you can resurface the concrete yourself, usually in less than a day, and for less than $300. You'll need a pressure washer, concrete cleaner (such as Quikrete Concrete & Stucco Wash No. 8601-15; at home centers), a push broom and a floor squeegee. Buy enough concrete resurfacer material (such as Quikrete Concrete Resurfacer; 40-lb. bags) to coat the entire floor. Refer to the coverage specs on the bag to determine how many bags you need.
The resurfacing material won't bond to loose concrete, paint, grease, algae or mildew. So pressure-wash the entire floor with concrete cleaner and a clean-water rinse.
Make a mark 1/4 in. from the tip of a pencil. Use it as a depth gauge to locate pits that need filling.
Apply tape to each side of the crack or joint and fill with crack sealer. Then level the sealer with a trowel and remove the tape.
Next, prefill any cracks and pits that are more than 1/4 in. deep (Photos 1 and 2).
Spread from the middle of the puddle and apply moderate squeegee pressure to force the resurfacer into the pores and pits. Then drag the squeegee backward to eliminate the edge ridges. Continue spreading until you get even coverage.
Saturate the concrete with water and then use a broom to push out any puddles from the pitted areas or low spots. Follow the mixing directions on the resurfacer bag. Then pour out a puddle and spread it (Photo 3). If the pits still show, let the material set up and apply a second coat later in the day. But you can stop with one coat if it provides good coverage. To apply a nonslip texture, lightly drag a clean push broom in one direction across the still-wet material (allow no more than five minutes of setting time before applying the broom finish).
Let the new floor dry for at least 24 hours before you drive on it. Follow the manufacturer's directions for additional hot-weather misting procedures or extra drying time for cool weather.
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
You'll also need a pressure washer, a power mixer, a push broom and a floor squeegee.
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.
