When you think of concrete floors, you probably consider them incredibly durable. This durability is what makes them such a popular choice for a variety of residential and commercial spaces. However, while concrete is strong, untreated concrete floors are prone to various types of damage over time. 

Understanding these common problems, from cracking and staining to moisture-related issues, is essential for ensuring the longevity of your floors. If you’ve recently installed a new concrete floor in your space and want to learn about the most common damage and how to avoid it, keep reading to see what our team recommends. 

The Most Common Damage to Untreated Concrete Floors

Cracking

One of the most common problems with untreated concrete floors is cracking. Concrete naturally expands and contracts with temperature changes, leading to hairline or even significant cracks over time. These cracks can worsen due to heavy loads, impact, or further temperature fluctuations, making the floor unsightly and less structurally sound. In addition to impacting the appearance of your floors, cracks can also create a tripping hazard.

Prevention Tip: While reinforcement during installation can help, a high-quality concrete floor coating adds an extra layer of protection. This coating can act as a barrier that minimizes the effects of temperature changes and impact, reducing the risk of cracks.

Staining and Discoloration

Untreated concrete floors are highly porous, which means they absorb liquids quickly. If you use a garage as a parking spot or workshop, it is more likely to be exposed to abrasive chemicals. Spills from oil, chemicals, or other substances can lead to permanent stains and discoloration, which not only affects the floor’s appearance but can also weaken its structure over time.

Prevention Tip: Concrete floor coatings create a non-porous surface that resists staining and makes it easy to clean up spills before they can seep in. To ensure your floors don’t discolor over time, you should avoid epoxy coatings, as excessive UV exposure causes these coatings to yellow over time. 

Moisture Damage

Moisture is another major problem for untreated concrete floors. Whether from a leaky pipe, high humidity, or ground moisture seeping up through the slab, water can penetrate concrete and cause long-term damage. This can lead to mold and mildew growth, which may cause health concerns and further floor deterioration. This moisture damage is especially common in the lower parts of a building, including basements and garages. 

Prevention Tip: Applying a moisture-resistant concrete coating can seal the surface, preventing water from infiltrating and causing damage. This is especially critical in areas prone to high moisture levels or where the floor is exposed to water frequently. If you’ve dealt with flooding in the past, it is essential that you consider investing in a concrete coating. 

Surface Erosion and Dusting

Over time, untreated concrete floors may erode or show signs of dusting—when fine particles rise to the surface and create a powdery residue. This can make the floor slippery and contribute to poor indoor air quality, as concrete dust can become airborne. Additionally, concrete floor dusting can lead to long-term and, in some cases, irreversible respiratory illness, like silicosis. 

Prevention Tip: A durable concrete coating strengthens the surface and prevents erosion and dusting, creating a safer and cleaner environment. Installing a floor coating is especially important if this is a high-traffic space, like an entryway to your home, as it prevents damage from constant friction. 

Avoiding Damage with Concrete Floor Coatings

If you’re tired of dealing with damage to your untreated concrete floors, investing in a floor coating from a reliable coating company is the best investment you can make in the space. An increasingly popular floor coating among homeowners and businesses is Polyaspartic. These coatings are the strongest coating on the market, resistant to chemical damage, sun exposure, and constant friction. There are many benefits to investing in these coatings, including: 

• Enhanced Durability: Coatings make concrete more resistant to wear and tear from heavy foot traffic and equipment. These coatings have an expected lifespan of up to 20 years, ensuring your floors look their best for decades. 
• Aesthetic Appeal: Concrete coatings come in various finishes and colors, allowing you to customize the look of your space. No matter what your home or business looks like, you can trust that there is a floor coating that matches the space. 
• Long-Term Savings: A concrete coating prevents damage, helping you avoid costly repairs or replacements down the line. With concrete costing $4 to $8 per square foot, you’ll want to avoid replacing this for as long as possible. 
• Easy Maintenance: Coated floors are easier to clean and maintain, saving time and effort. To keep them looking their best, you should sweep and mop them once a week and spot-treat any chemical spills. 

Protecting Untreated Concrete Floors Across Denver

While concrete is sturdy, untreated concrete floors are vulnerable to cracking, staining, moisture damage, and surface erosion. Applying a concrete floor coating is a proactive step that ensures lasting protection, improved appearance, and peace of mind. Investing in this solution will safeguard your floors from common damages and keep them looking great for years.

If you’re looking for a team in the Denver area to help you care for your untreated concrete floors, turn to our team at Solid Garage Floor Coatings of Colorado. For years, we’ve provided reliable floor coatings to residential and commercial spaces across the area. With this experience, you can trust that we have the perfect coating for your space as well.

If you want to learn more about our floor coatings or are ready to schedule an installation, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

Your garage is probably a popular go-to spot for storing everything from unused holiday decorations to sporting equipment. While this can be convenient, using your garage as a storage space can have a significant impact on your concrete floors. Over time, you may notice cracks, stains, and other costly forms of damage.

At Solid Custom Floor Coatings, we understand how impactful these stored items can be on your concrete floors. While they may seem infallible, your concrete is susceptible to substantial wear and tear. If you want to learn more about how using your garage as a storage space can impact your untreated concrete floors and what you can do to protect them, keep reading. 

How Storing Heavy Items Can Damage Your Floors

Your garage may be home to heavy items like toolboxes, unused appliances, and rarely used vehicles. While these items sit on your untreated concrete floors, they can exert pressure on the material that can cause your concrete to crack or chip over time. As these go unchecked, even minor cracks can grow larger, leading to expensive repairs or complete replacement. 

Additionally, some items in this storage space can leak fluids or chemicals. For example, your old lawn equipment, car parts, or paint cans may slowly drip oil, gasoline, and other harsh chemicals onto the floor. Because untreated concrete is porous, these substances can seep into the surface, causing unsightly stains and weakening of your floor. 

The Impact of Temperature Changes

The floors in your garage are often exposed to fluctuating temperatures, especially if they are not temperature-controlled. This constant fluctuation can lead to the concrete floors expanding and contracting, which weakens it over time. If you use your garage as a storage space piled high with boxes and other items, they can trap moisture underneath, which may lead to mold growth or even further degradation of the floor. 

Friction Damage from Moving Boxes

Moving stored boxes and other heavy items across your garage floor can create significant wear and tear. A box dragging or sliding across untreated concrete creates friction that can slowly grind away the floor’s surface layer. This friction leads to small scratches and abrasions, dulling and weakening the concrete over time. 

The friction from moving boxes through this storage space can also cause micro-cracks to form. While these minuscule cracks might not seem like a problem initially, they can grow larger with repeated stress, leading to more extensive damage. As these cracks expand, more dirt, moisture, and chemicals can seep into the concrete, leading to even more structural issues. 

How Polyaspartic Coatings Can Protect Your Floors

If you choose to use your garage as a storage space, applying a Polyaspartic floor coating is the best way to protect your concrete floors. These coatings are durable and high-performing, acting as a protective layer between your concrete and the items on top of it. When installing a Polyaspartic coating in your garage, you can avoid cracks, chips, crumbles, and stains.

Benefits of Polyaspartic Floor Coatings

• Durability: Polyaspartic coatings are incredibly strong, protecting your garage floor from heavy objects and reducing the risk of chipping and cracking. If you use this room as a storage space, installing a Polyaspartic coating is essential. 
• Stain Resistance: Whether you use your garage as a storage space, parking for your car, or a place to enjoy your favorite hobbies, these floors are exposed to a variety of chemicals. By investing in a Polyaspartic floor coating, you can avoid the stains these chemicals may cause, keeping your floors looking clean and polished. 
• Fast Curing Time: If you’ve ever considered installing a floor coating in your garage, you’re probably worried about prolonged curing time. Some floor coating options, like epoxy, require several weeks to cure properly. Unlike other coatings on the market, Polyaspartic floor coatings cure in 24 hours, allowing you to return to using the room as a storage space. 
• Moisture Barrier: Whether your garage or basement is your storage space, both of these rooms can be prone to flooding. If your floors are untreated, this flooding can cause expansion, efflorescence, and other damage. By investing in a Polyaspartic coating, you form a seamless, waterproof barrier that prevents moisture from seeping into your concrete. 
• Customizable: If you use your garage as a storage space, you probably do everything in your power to keep the space looking its best. This may include frequent cleaning and restacking to keep everything looking fresh. When you choose to install a Polyaspartic coating, you can select a color that helps hide any potential debris, allowing the space to look nicer between cleanings. 
• Easy to Clean: As we mentioned above, you probably spend a good amount of time keeping your storage space clean. When you install a Polyaspartic coating in your garage, you can trust that this floor is easy to clean. Once it’s installed, you can sweep these floors and mop once a week to keep them looking fresh. 

Protect Your Storage Space with Solid Custom Floor Coatings

Using your garage as a storage space might seem convenient, but it can wreak havoc on your floors over time. Heavy objects can cause cracks, and leaks from stored items can lead to unsightly stains. Protect your garage floors with a Polyaspartic coating, a long-lasting solution that shields your concrete from damage while enhancing its appearance. This protective layer allows you to confidently store items in your garage without worrying about ruining your floors.

If you are ready to install a Polyaspartic floor coating in your home, turn to our team at Solid Custom Floor Coatings. With years of expert experience installing floor coatings for garages, basements, commercial spaces, and more, we’re confident that we have the most reliable floor coating solutions for you. From Polyaspartic to epoxy and everything in between, we have the perfect coating for you.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team or have any questions about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us today.