When your garage floor coating starts to wear out, it can make your garage look terrible and even affect its usefulness. Whether you park your car, store tools, or work on DIY projects, a cracked, peeling, or stained floor isn't just ugly—it can also be dangerous.
Garage floors endure a lot of damage—heavy cars, oil spills, dropped tools, and changing weather can all cause damage. If these problems aren't fixed, they can worsen and lead to expensive repairs or even concrete replacement.
At Roe Painting, we know that concrete coating doesn't just look good—it will protect and extend the life of your concrete. We've worked on over 1,000 garage floors, and we've seen it all. We know what to look for and how to help.
By the end of this article, you'll know the difference between major garage floor coating problems, the best steps to keep it in great shape, and discover your options for a beautiful new coating system.
1. Your Garage Floor is Cracking
Cracks are one of the biggest tell-tale signs that your garage floor might need a new coating.
The good news is that most concrete cracks don't indicate deeper issues. They can be caused by subtle shifting, settling, or even just heavy drops on the concrete.
The bad news is that when cracks start to exceed a certain width (⅛” or about the width of a dime), there may be cause for concern. Larger cracks can become tripping hazards and repairing them early on can save you from more costly repairs.
If you see cracks, a concrete coating might be a sound investment in protecting and preserving your concrete floor. Plus, you can turn a drab concrete surface into a smooth, easy-to-maintain surface for years to come.
2. Your Garage Floor Coating is Peeling or Flaking
Peeling or flaking coatings are unsightly and a sign that your floor is no longer protected. This often happens when the original coating isn’t applied correctly or when it has reached the end of its lifespan.
Moisture is usually the culprit here. As water seeps beneath the coating, it causes that coating to bubble up and eventually peel. This is very similar to what might happen to the clear coat on your car or the paint on your wooden deck when they start to peel (the chemical processes are slightly different, however).
Because this coating is what protects the physical structure of the concrete underneath, it’s crucial that when you notice peeling, flaking, or bubbling, you contact a licensed professional to survey the damage. Typically they will recommend a new coating for your concrete floor. A new coating will adhere properly to the surface and provide the long-term protection your concrete needs.
3. Stubborn Stains on Your Garage Floor Coating Prove a Weakened Barrier
We’ve all been there—you spill some oil or another chemical, and before you know it, there’s a stubborn stain that won’t budge. Stains on your garage floor look bad aesthetically, but they also indicate that your floor coating has failed. If your floor coating were intact, those stains wouldn’t have actually been able to ‘touch’ the concrete itself.
Think of it like putting Rain-X on your car windshield—the rain just beads right off as you're driving, right? An effective and intact garage floor coating should be able to provide a barrier to spills and stains, making clean-up as easy as wiping it off.
If you have deep stains that won't scrub off, it means that you need to replace the coating with a fresh, durable option—like epoxy or polyurea—to give you a clean, fresh surface to protect the porous concrete underneath.
4. Your Garage Floor is Slippery When Wet
If your garage floor is slippery when wet, it’s a clear sign the coating is worn out. A slick surface can be dangerous, especially in a garage where spills and heavy objects are common.
Not all garage coatings include a traction additive to prevent slips. Even if yours did, the additive may have worn away over time, leaving the floor less safe.
If your garage coating doesn’t have a traction additive or is worn smooth, professionals can still make it slip-resistant. This method works best on newer and in good shape coatings.
A professional evaluating your garage floor is the best way to determine whether you can add traction to your existing floor or need an entirely new coating system.
5. You Have Uneven Spots or Pitting in Your Garage
Pitting, spalling, or uneven spots are red flags that it’s time for a new garage floor coating. Pitting occurs when small holes form on the surface of the concrete, usually due to salt or chemical exposure. Spalling refers to larger, flaking areas where the concrete starts to break apart.
If you live in a colder climate where salting roads in the winter is common practice—you’re much more likely to run into this particular issue. Left untreated, these imperfections will worsen and create major structural issues.
The good news is that a new garage floor coating can not only cover these areas but also prevent future damage. By filling in the tiny holes and cracks and coating the concrete, you can prevent damage and protect it from being exposed to the salt that caused this issue in the first place.
Now, this doesn’t mean that a garage floor coating will protect your floor from blunt force trauma. If you have a working shop floor where you use heavy engine stands, heavy/sharp tools, or just generally drop things capable of chipping concrete, you’ll need a stronger solution, such as urethane cement.
6. Finding Signs of Aging or Discoloration
Concrete coatings don’t just protect your garage floor—they also improve its appearance. One clear sign of garage floor coating problems is that, over time, your garage floor may start to show signs of aging, like fading, discoloration, or even chalking.
If you’ve noticed patches of your garage floor that look like this garage below, it means that the protective layer has worn thin and may be susceptible to more damage. It’s a great time to refresh.
7. You’re Hurting Your Property Value with a Damaged Garage Floor
A well-maintained, coated garage floor can significantly boost the value of your home. If you’re considering selling your home, updating your garage floor is a simple and effective way to increase curb appeal and resale value.
Typically, a garage floor coating will increase your home value by $8 per square foot. For an average 2-car garage (22ft x 22ft), that is an increased home value of nearly $4,000.
Explore Your Options for a Stronger, Better Garage Floor
Having an existing concrete coating in your garage that starts flaking, cracking, or peeling is frustrating at best and hazardous at worst. Odds are you invested in your garage at some point, so you know that protecting the concrete is essential. Concrete coatings will protect your garage floor, improve its appearance, and increase your home’s value. If they start to fail, you can address these issues early on and avoid costly repairs or replacements in the future.
Next, discover more about the concrete coating installation process and how the Roe Paint team guarantees a quality application every time.
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