Uneven concrete garage floors can be a source of frustration for homeowners. Fortunately, there are several ways to level out the floor and make it look smooth and even. The most common solution is to use a leveling compound or mortar to fill in small areas of unevenness. For larger cracks, epoxy or a mixture of polymerized concrete can be used.
Additionally, an epoxy layer can be added to the floor for extra protection and a smooth finish. Before beginning any repairs, it is important to understand why the floor is uneven in the first place. Most cracks in garage floors are common and not an indication of serious structural problems. However, some may indicate that maintenance is needed or that there may be a structural issue.
Cold joints, which are intentionally placed by concrete contractors when pouring the concrete, can cause problems if the sublayers are not well compacted. Additionally, too much water in the concrete mix, too little mortar, or forcing the concrete to dry too quickly or too slowly can all lead to unevenness. Once you have identified the cause of the unevenness, you can begin repairs. For small areas of unevenness, use a diamond blade on an angle grinder to grind down the high side until the surface is reasonably level.
Then apply an epoxy filler and cover the floor with an epoxy chip floor to cover any other imperfections. For larger cracks, use epoxy or a mixture of polymerized concrete. Polymer acts as a binder and helps adhere the filler to the rest of the original concrete on the floor. If you want to add an extra layer of protection and a smooth finish to your garage floor, consider adding an epoxy layer. “Concrete Coater” is a cement-based coating that forms a smooth new surface right on top of old concrete.
To apply it, use a squeegee to drive the respaver into the concrete and force it into the pores and pits. Finally, keep in mind that concrete needs some curing time before something heavy can be placed on it. Depending on the type of concrete, it usually takes 5-10 days and even up to 4 weeks before heavy equipment and loads can reach a concrete slab safely; most concrete reaches full strength in about 28 days.
