There are a number of reasons why you might need to replace your garage floor. The concrete slab may be crumbling or heaving, the plumbing underneath could be outdated, you might need more insulation, or you may want to upgrade to a heated floor. At Akton Injection in Montreal, we specialize in concrete foundations and related projects, including garage floor replacement jobs. Here’s an overview of what you need to know about the process.
1. Choose the right concrete The first step is to choose the right type of concrete. According to the Association of Construction and Housing Professionals of Quebec (APCHQ), there are different types of concrete for specific applications. The concrete you use on your garage floor should have a strength of 32 MPa and an air content between five and eight per cent. 2. Follow the correct procedure The experts at Akton Injection have put together a short 12-step guide on how to replace your garage floor:
Remove everything from the garage floor
Break up the existing concrete
Excavate the area to a depth of at least 30 centimetres
Install a new reinforced PVC drain pan or box
Backfill the area at least 18 centimetres with 1.9-centimetre net gravel
Add another layer of gravel and compact it
Install a 6 mil vapour barrier over the entire area
Install a 4.76-millimetre wire mesh to reinforce the concrete
Pour 12 to 13 centimetres of concrete
Smooth the surface
Cut the expansion joints
Clean the surface
These steps are just a general guideline. 3. Apply a protective coating Once the concrete has been poured, we recommend covering it with a protective coating. It’s best to use polyurea or epoxy on garage floors as these coatings are known for their durability. Polyurea is more expensive than epoxy. However, it’s more flexible and is highly resistant to sunlight, tire marks and temperature changes. 4. Check for pyrite If your garage floor is cracked, heaving or covered in a white powder, it may be because it was built on soil containing pyrite. Pyrite is a mineral that expands when it comes into contact with water or oxygen, which can cause your concrete floor to swell. That’s why it’s important to always replace the gravel underneath your concrete slab before repouring it. At Akton Injection, we offer comprehensive pyrite removal services. Before replacing your garage floor, we’ll remove any existing gravel that’s been contaminated with pyrite and replace it with certified DB gravel. Contact us today to schedule your concrete replacement.
CONTACT AKTON INJECTION, YOUR GARAGE FLOOR SPECIALIST
Call us today for garage floor replacement and repair in Montreal, the West Island, Laval and the South Shore.
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