It’s winter time again. There’s snow all over the place, icicles in the trees, and the garage floor is beginning to crack. It’s not just your garage, either; concrete of all types begin to show lines and crack when the freezing temperatures hit.

Your Concrete Garage Floor Will Happily Absorb Any Liquid

Your concrete garage floor acts like a very, very slow sponge. Any liquid that comes in contact with it will be soaked up, albeit slowly. Those of us who have changed their own oil know this as the smallest bit of motor oil will create a tiny, but permanent stain. All concrete garage floors are the same, so you’re not alone here, either. Any garage flooring that has no cover will absorb water as well. Water doesn’t sound very threatening, I know, as it would be a clear stain, right? Unfortunately, when the temperature gets low enough, water does something that many other chemicals don’t do…

Water Is A Frigid Saboteur

Water, of course, freezes. Most people know that things usually contract as they become colder, and while water is no exception, it also becomes solid. No, ice itself is not stronger than concrete, but tiny pieces of solid ice peppered within the concrete will add solidness where it’s not supposed to be. This will result in a concrete garage floor that exhibits unusual rigidity. This can be a very destructive thing as the concrete contracts, which is what it will do as it gets cold.

Moisture Is Incredibly Tenacious

The first thing that comes to mind, I’m sure, is making sure you’re keeping your garage door down. That will help to a degree, but not always. Keep in mind, there is generally some moisture in the air as well, and it will find ways to get into your garage and your garage floor. Every garage floor can and will be affected by moisture to some degree, unless someone starts making waterproof garages. Water can also get to your concrete through the soil itself, from both the sides and the bottom, but that may or may not be a significant factor depending on the area you live in, if water stands against your garage when it rains, how often it rains, and where your area’s water table sits.

A Garage Floor Covering Can Prevent This!

Garage floor coverings, like tiles and mats, will help to protect the concrete, keeping cracks away. There really isn’t anything that can be done about moisture coming from the bottom and sides of the concrete slab, but generally that’s only a very small part of what needs to be addressed. For the most part, the moisture will come from above. If there’s not too much moisture coming from underneath, you can use an epoxy garage floor coating to seal the garage floor from moisture, which will almost completely keep it out. Although not as effective, a garage floor covering like tiles or a mat will also help since they can absorb a lot of moisture as well.

Will A Garage Floor Covering Help If I Know Moisture Wasn’t To Blame?

Yes, it sure will. Aside from the sun heating it from above, which isn’t very likely if your garage is kept closed up, your garage floor’s main source of warmth comes from underneath. With a covering or coating of any kind, this warmth will be retained far more effectively, and keeping your garage floor warmer means keeping it from contracting, and hopefully cracking.

Check out Sweet Garage Floor for more garage flooring information.

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