Hello
I have a patio concrete floor 7M X 3 M which is probably 40 years old. There's a few stains, chips and dents but nothing structural. There's also an area around a foot wide that is indented and feels a bit springy when you stand on it. So there may be minor subsidence just under this. I'd like to tackle this myself (female in 60s but I'm a fairly good handyperson). AI suggested a wire brush for loose debris, then pressure wash (I've got a small 1160 PSI, would that do?). Does it really need a pressure wash though? Or would an industrial vacuum be better? I'd prefer not to add extra water onto the slab if I don't have to. Then after completely dry, the primer then 2 top coats. It's the cleaning & prep I'm not too sure about. Can you please advise how you'd go about this and a list of what I need to buy. Thank you. (You can ignore the water in the photos; I was cleaning the cement board above). And for the paint, would a mid grey be good? Thank you guys!
Hello @LorenClayton
Cleaning the surface of the garage floor can be accomplished without using a pressure washer but it will still involve water. I suggest using https://www.bunnings.com.au/clr-750ml-grease-oil-remover_p1560041 in combination with an https://www.bunnings.com.au/oates-long-handle-deck-scrub-brush_p4460246 or similar. The CLR will remove any oil or grease stains on your garage floor.
However, I'm a little concerned about the springy section of your concrete floor. I would recommend having that section assessed by a professional to make sure that it is properly supported at the bottom. I would leave this job to the professionals as it needs to be secure, and the floor area must be able to support weight.
Your floor currently has an existing coating on it, if you know what it is then I suggest using the same coating to touch up the chipped or striped sections. Using a different coating is not advisable as they may not be compatible. If you want to recoat the garage floor, the standard practice is to strip the old coating off back to concrete and then apply the new sealer on top. Sealing on top of an old sealer is not advised as the new coating may not bind or anchor onto the old coating in the garage.
To remove the old coating on the garage floor you can use a grinder with a https://www.bunnings.com.au/josco-75mm-twistknot-cup-brush_p6326282 or a https://www.bunnings.com.au/flexovit-125-x-22-23mm-stripping-ripper-grinding-disc_p0116161 . Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask.
I suggest having a look at these discussions:
I also suggest having a look at this guide - How To Epoxy A Garage Floor
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @Noyade and @DIY4Knuckleheds for their recommendations.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Good Morning @LorenClayton
A couple of questions :)
In the title of your question you mention "level out" Do you want to make the surface level? Patios are generally slopped to take water away from the house so it may not be a good idea to level it up.
The spongyeness is the second question, can you show us a photo of where it is and also how much does it flex. (Does it sound hollow?)
If you are wanting to re-coat the patio surface then I would have a look at the type of paint you will be using. I bought some concrete paint and it has worked really well. Tho dosnt play well with existing paint (Lifts it like crazy) I have one small patch I thought I could get away with that has curled but the rest is solid as. Removal of old paint came down to physically removing it with a drill based wire brush (corded drill) and a high pressure water blaster.
Patio refresh with new paint is the project.
Still yet to do the handrails :) Life gets busy.
Dave
Hello Dave and Eric and thank you both for your answers.
Dave, your project looks nice! Re: level out - I just meant that the floor is level after using Rapidset repair mortar for some deep gauges etc.
Dulux says this is suitable for any existing coating:
Dulux Concrete & Paving Sealed Surface Primer … is formulated for use over any existing coating to reinforce the surface for optimal adhesion of subsequent coats of paint.
AI had recommended all of this: Concrete rubbing stone, the rapidset, the primer and with 2 topcoats of Dulux Concrete & Paving Coloured Sealer Matt.
Should this work OK do you think, if I give it a good clean first? I'll try Eric's suggestion of CLR and the oates long handle brush for the prep, which I already have.
My main concern is that the new paint sticks. Thank you guys.
The thing that worries me is the condition of the current coating. Parts of it are starting to chip away, not all of it but some it. This could be an indicator that the current coating is starting to deteriorate. Painting over it would probably reinforce the surface, but can you trust the coating at the bottom not to peel or chip off? It would be a shame to spend all that effort painting over a surface that is not totally secure. This is why the majority of floor surface sealers would rather have you remove the old seal before putting on the new one on. I still recommend starting fresh with old sealer taken off so that you are confident that the new seal will stay secure.
Good Evening @LorenClayton
I am not sure if a leveling compound should be used just yet, the spongyness you mentioned is why as that should be sorted first. As to a concern about the existing surface impacting a leveling compound ummmm id still prefer a blank state with no old paint ion it. Must note a patio is meant to have a slope so using a leveling compound could cause water to end up nearer the house then it should.
