A professional garage floor coating goes down quickly once the crew arrives, but a little preparation on your end makes installation day go smoothly. Here’s what to do in the days before your installer arrives.
One week before
- Confirm your color and flake blend. Your installer will bring samples to the estimate, but if you’re torn between two blends, ask to see larger samples in your garage’s lighting.
- Plan where everything will go. Everything on the floor has to come out, including cars, bikes, shelving, tool chests, and storage bins. Line up driveway, side-yard, or basement space now.
- Ask about stem walls and steps. Coating the short concrete walls around the perimeter and any steps into the house gives a finished look. Make sure they’re in your quote if you want them.
The day before
- Empty the garage completely. Wall-mounted items can usually stay, but anything less than about 12 inches off the floor should be raised or removed.
- Park outside. Plan to park on the driveway or street for the install day and the cure time afterward.
- Sweep out loose debris. Your installer will grind and vacuum the floor, but clearing leaves and dirt helps.
- Check power access. Grinders and vacuums need power, so let your installer know if outlets are on a shared or GFCI circuit.
Installation day
Expect your installer to:
- Diamond-grind the concrete and vacuum the dust with HEPA dust collection
- Repair cracks, spalls, and pitting
- Apply the basecoat, broadcast the flakes, scrape and vacuum the excess, and apply the clear polyaspartic topcoat
Grinding is loud for a few hours. Keep pets and kids inside, and close the door between the house and the garage.
After installation
- Foot traffic and vehicles: your installer will tell you exactly when the floor is ready for each, since cure times depend on the system, temperature, and humidity
- Cleaning: wait a few days before mopping. After that, mild soap and water is all you need.
Want a floor like this? Get a free estimate and a certified local installer will walk you through every step.