In upstate New York, your garage floor faces everything from snowy winters to rainy springs and hot summers. If you’re getting ready to install a garage floor coating, here’s how to prepare for your garage floor coating to ensure a durable, long-lasting transformation.
TO DO: Clear Out the Garage
Garages out here often serve as more than just a spot for your car—they’re storage spaces for snowblowers, garden tools, and seasonal gear. Before the coating crew arrives, your garage needs to be completely cleared out. Here’s how you can make that happen:
- Move items indoors: Smaller items like tools, boxes, and yard equipment can be stored in your basement or an extra room. Make sure you’ve got a place set aside before moving everything out.
- Temporary storage units: If your garage has larger items like a riding mower, shelving, or outdoor furniture, renting a temporary storage unit could be a great option. It keeps things safe and protected during the installation process.
- Outdoor storage: For large appliances like refrigerators or freezers, they can be temporarily moved outside. Be sure to cover them with a sturdy tarp and secure them to avoid issues with New York’s unpredictable weather, and don’t forget to lock them to prevent accidents.
Wall-mounted items more than 3 feet above the floor don’t need to be removed. And don’t forget about your electronics! If you store electronics in your garage, either move them out of the space or wrap them securely. Dust and debris stirred up during the coating process can damage sensitive electronics, so protecting them is key.
TO DO: Turn Off HVAC
If your home has an HVAC system that extends into the garage, it’s important to turn it off during the installation. Shutting it down ensures that dust and odors won’t get drawn into your home during the floor coating process. Leave the HVAC off until the top coat has been applied and fully cured.
WHAT NOT TO DO: Worry About the Floor Prep
Good news: you don’t have to do any concrete preparation yourself! The epoxy floor installation professionals will handle everything from start to finish:
- Grinding the concrete: The team will grind down the surface to remove any old concrete paint, stains, or coatings. This process creates a clean surface that ensures the new coating will bond properly to the concrete.
- Filling cracks: In upstate New York, where cold winters can cause cracks in untreated concrete, the crew will fill in any cracks or imperfections. This step helps create a smooth, even surface for the coating to adhere to, ensuring your new floor is both durable and aesthetically pleasing.
WHAT NOT TO DO: Yard Work and Home Maintenance During Installation
While your residential epoxy floor is being installed, it’s best to take a break from yard work and home improvement projects. Mowing the lawn or running a leaf blower near the garage could stir up dust, which could settle on the fresh floor coating. For best results, wait until the coating has cured before getting back to those outdoor chores.
Why Garage Floor Coatings Work
Your garage floor faces a lot of challenges: from snow and ice in the winter to heavy rain and humidity in the warmer months. Epoxy flooring solutions are designed to handle these extremes. They protect your garage floor from moisture, salt, and temperature fluctuations, all while making it easier to clean and maintain.
With a properly installed garage floor coating, your garage will have a long-lasting, durable surface that can handle whatever the weather throws at it. Plus, it’ll look great while doing it, making your garage more functional and adding value to your home.