How to smooth a concrete garage floor

[bogie]

My garage floor was the same as Lewisco above

just got a couple of bags of self levelling compound and 24 hours later it was all done

then laid plastic tiles. Been great ever since - over 6 years now, no issues

[8Ace]

bogie said:

My garage floor was the same as Lewisco above

just got a couple of bags of self levelling compound and 24 hours later it was all done

then laid plastic tiles. Been great ever since - over 6 years now, no issues

Mine too. It's a piece of cake and the finish is lovely.

[lewisco]

DaveCWK said:

Thanks all, lots to think about.
I was going to take pictures but the surface is exactly as those posted above by lewisco!

I did think about tiling, but surely if the floor is covered in ridges, when I jack on the tiles it is likely they will sag/crack as they will not be uniformly supported from underneath?

I think I'm leaning towards a screed/stopgap/levelling compound - especially as the floor appears completely level with the tarmac outside so raising it slightly wouldn't be a bad idea.

Lewisco - have you used a jack on that surface - is it as hard as the original concrete?

I've not jacked anything up on it yet but it feels like it could take it. When I do use a jack it will only be the Westfield so not a huge amount of weight.

The only mistake I made was doing it in 3 goes so its not actually perfectly flat but good enough for me.

I have some Halfords foam tiles to go on it at some point.

[smn159]

lewisco said:

Wow - looks tight getting the Aston in through that door!

[blueST]

I did my garage floor with this after another PHer recommended it.

http://www.bostik.co.uk/diy/product/cementone/Cemp...

It was knackering, used 20ish bags I think, but two of us did a large double garage in a day. Mixed in a big plastic bucket using a hand held electric mixer. It's largely self levelling, but you have to work quick so you always have a wet edge. The only problem I had was self inflicted, I put it down it quite a lot thicker than recommended in a few places and a couple of hairline cracks have formed from those areas, but apart it doesn't bother me as out's not there for looks.

I didn't bother painting it, and it's been fine with big trolley jacks, axle stands etc etc.

[lewisco]

smn159 said:

Wow - looks tight getting the Aston in through that door!

Very tight. A new roller door is being installed in a couple of weeks so hoping I get a bit more clearance.

[KenAS]

lewisco said:

I had a similar problem. Went from this



to this using Stopgap 200.


(sorry no pic of the garage empty)

Sorry a bit late to the topic,

I'm trying to do something similar in my garage.

1) Did you use a primer before using the levelling compound?
2) Did you put down a liquid damp proof membrane prior to using the levelling compound?

Thanks!

[Magooagain]

KenAS said:

Sorry a bit late to the topic,

I'm trying to do something similar in my garage.

1) Did you use a primer before using the levelling compound?
2) Did you put down a liquid damp proof membrane prior to using the levelling compound?

Thanks!

A primer should be used once the surface is cleaned. A liquid dpm would be ok under self leveling compound.
A liquid dpm would need at least 48 hours to cure,longer the better and will work better.
You don't want to walk on it when still sticky and pull it up with your feet.

[biggiles]

I did this a few weeks ago - used Mapei SLC from Screwfix, and the Mapei primer. Worked well.

I should have bought a cheap mixer and paddle, as my big drill with paint mixing paddle left lots of lumps. But the floor looks pretty good now.

[imck]

I have done a rough and dropped internal Concrete Floor recently
Primer from Wickes as I couldn't see any in Screwfix.
Needed about 25mm in some places and used 7 Bags of Mapei 3240 (3-40mm with fibres in)

First time and was a bit nervous about getting the depth right, so screwed Plasterboard Screws into the Floor every metre set at the finished height.
Mixed with a Plaster Paddle on my Titan SDS in a flexi-tub. Bucket Trowel to pickup any unmixed compound from the edges of the Bucket
A few small lumps became visible when it was settling but they can be broken up with the Trowel.

Buy more than you think you need. You can always take to excess back.

Mine didn't end up quite high enough. I will be priming again and adding a few mm of Mapei 1210 (1-10mm)