How to Use Self-Leveling Concrete on Garage Floor? Comprehensive Guide 2024!
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Why Use Self-Leveling Concrete to Fix Your Garage Floor?
If you’re wondering how to use self-leveling concrete to fix your garage floor, this post is for you.
Self-leveling concrete is ideal for repairing low spots, resurfacing worn-out floors, and correcting leveling errors.
Before diving into these three applications, let me explain the basics of self-leveling concrete.
What Is Self-Leveling Concrete?
Self-leveling concrete is made from a polymer-modified cement. The special polymer additive, known as superfluidifying additive, reduces the viscosity of cement. As a result at the time of pouring, self-leveling concrete has a fluidity similar to a pancake batter or honey.
Self-leveling concrete flows out and forms a smooth, level surface when poured. As a result, even a novice can get an even & level surface once the self-leveling concrete cures and sets.
Key Difference Between Self-Leveling and Regular Concrete
The key difference between self-leveling concrete and regular concrete is the amount of water required to get the desired fluidity. Regular concrete needs large quantities of water whereas very little water is necessary to make self-leveling concrete fluid for a pour.
Comparing Self Leveling vs Regular Concrete
The table below compares some important parameters of self-leveling concrete and regular concrete.
| Feature | Self-Leveling Concrete | Regular Concrete |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Polymer-modified cement with fine aggregates and polymer additives | Portland cement, water, and aggregates (sand, gravel, or crushed stone) |
| Application | Flows and spreads out evenly without extensive manual leveling | Requires manual leveling and smoothing |
| Setting Time | Sets faster, ready for use within a few hours | Takes longer to set and cure, often several days |
| Thickness | Can be poured as thin as a quarter of an inch or up to several inches thick | Typically poured in thicker layers, often several inches thick |
| Application | Very little skill required | Some Experience & Skill required |
| Uses | Interior floor coverings, underlayments, and toppings | Foundations, driveways, sidewalks, and structural elements |
| Cost | Expensive | Affordable |
When Can You Use Self-Leveling Concrete on a Garage Floor?
There are three situations when you can use self-leveling concrete on a garage floor:
1. Self-Leveling Concrete to Fix Low Spots in Garage Floor
Low spots usually become visible shortly after pouring a new concrete garage floor (typically within 1 to 3 years)
Sometimes the low spots are because the base below the slab-on-grade was not compacted properly. Other times the low spots may be the result of unexpected soil movement or grade subsidence.
Shallow depressions with cracks that are not too wide can be patched up. Self-leveling concrete is ideal for fixing the low spots on the garage floor.
Even a person with little DIY experience can execute such a project provided they have a detailed & helpful guide!
However, if the concrete garage floor has sunk or heaved significantly then you may have to resort to mud jacking or polyurethane injections. This can only be done by professionals with expertise & equipment.
2. Self-Leveling Concrete to Resurface an Extensively Damaged Garage Floor
After 10 – 15 years of use your concrete garage floor will start showing signs of degradation and wear & tear.
Concrete garage floors can develop pitting, cracking, delamination, and splitting with age. Scratches, gouges, and holes will start to add up as storage racks are dragged, power tools are dropped and chemicals are spilled.
You will want to give your battered garage floor a new lease of life. Resurfacing with self-leveling concrete is a great option!
3. Self-Leveling Concrete as a Finishing on New Garage Floor
Though not very common, it is possible to use self-leveling concrete on top of a new concrete garage floor as finishing. Self-leveling concrete can be a substitute for other types of coverings such as tiles, epoxy coatings or concrete acid etching.
Self-leveling concrete can be colored using colorants. With creativity, you could end up with a pretty interesting & unique-looking garage floor.
How To Use Self-Leveling Concrete to Fix Low Spots in Garage Floor
Clean the Slab
You need to find all the low spots first. To do this you must thoroughly sweep and vacuum the entire garage floor. Use ordinary dish soap mixed with water to clean the floor to remove stains. For stubborn oil & grease stains, you may need to use a degreaser.
Mark the Low Spots
Now it is time to find all the low spots and mark them. Move an 8’ long 2 X 4 stud along the floor looking for gaps between the stud and the floor. Mark the boundary of the low spot with a bright-colored (orange or yellow) crayon.
NOTE: Look for only low spots that are deeper than ¼”. Minor undulations in the concrete are normal and not a cause for concern.
Get Rid of Ridges
Use a concrete grinder to level off any high ridges that may have been caused by large cracks or uneven sinking & heaving of the concrete garage floor. In case the degreaser has failed to remove some of the stains then you should grind that area as well.
Clean up the dust created, by using a shop vac.
Repair Deep Cracks
Repair any deep and large cracks by filling them up with a non-shrinking concrete patch. You may use a caulking gun if the patch is in a tube or a trowel if the patch is in a tub.
NOTE: This process is required because self-leveling concrete is great for large shallow depressions but not so good when it comes to filling deeper cracks.
Let the patch dry up for at least 24 hours.
Mix the Self-Leveling Concrete
Self-leveling concrete is usually available in powder form and needs to be mixed with water to a pancake batter-like consistency. Follow the specific instructions on the product packaging.
Fill a 5-gallon bucket with the recommended quantity of water. Pour the powder into the bucket gradually. Keep mixing with a drill & paddle mixer continuously.
Pour the Self-Leveling Concrete
Slowly pour the self-leveling concrete over the depressed area and let it flow on its own. Make sure that you do not pour too much. The self-leveling concrete should remain within the area that you have marked out for the depression.
Self-leveling concrete flows freely and evenly, so you may not need to use the trowel at all. However, use the 2X4 stud to screed and spread the self-leveling concrete over the depressed area.
Allow to Dry.
How To Use Self-Leveling Concrete to Resurface an Old Garage Floor
If your garage floor has seen better days and you want to resurface it to look like new, follow these steps:
Clean the Old Garage Floor
Remove all items from the garage that are not securely fixed to the floor. Use a broom to clean out all the debris on the floor. Follow it up by vacuuming the floor to remove dust.
Look for spots that have stains. Remove them by using a bristle brush dipped in soap water. Use a commercial-grade degreaser for stubborn oil & grease stains.
Pressure Wash the Garage Floor
Pressure wash to ensure good bonding between the self-leveling concrete resurfacer and the existing concrete garage floor.
Repair Floor Imperfections.
Before proceeding with resurfacing you must repair all surface imperfections such as large cracks, holes, pitting, and spalling. You can do this by preparing the self-leveling concrete resurfacer at a consistency that can be troweled. (1 part water to 7 parts resurfacer by volume is recommended by Quikrete).
Let the patched-up area dry and harden before resurfacing the entire garage floor.
Prime the Surface
Prime the clean dry floor surface using a mix of 1 part QUIKRETE® Self-Leveling Primer to 4 parts water. You can apply this with a brush.
NOTE: Apply 1 coat of diluted primer to new and precast concrete surfaces and 2 coats to old concrete surfaces.
Allow the primer to dry for 1 to 2 hours.
Mixing of Quikrete Resurfacer
Mix the self-leveling concrete resurfacer in a 5-gallon empty bucket. Use 4 1/2 quarts of water for each 50-pound bag.
NOTE: The powder should be added gradually to the water in the bucket. DO NOT ADD WATER TO THE POWDER.
Keep mixing with a drill and paddle mixer, as you pour the powder in the water.
You will achieve the correct consistency when one cup (9 oz) of the mixture spreads 8 inches when poured on a flat glass surface.
Pouring of the Resurfacer
You must maintain the contraction & expansion joints on the existing concrete garage floor. Block them by using weatherstripping or duct tape. Self-leveling concrete resurfacing should not be allowed to get in.
Work in small sections at a time and stay within the contraction & expansion joints. Wet the existing concrete with water but remove any standing water with a squeegee.
Pour the resurfacer on the floor and spread it around with a squeegee but with minimal downward pressure. Keep blending the new pour with the old pour as you move.
Easy Calculator
(Approximate # of 50 lb bags of QUIKRETE® SelfLeveling Floor Resurfacer required)
| Resurfacing Thickness | Standard 1-car Garage 288 sq. ft (12’X24’) | Standard 2-car Garage 480 sq. ft (20’X24’) |
| 1/16” | 3 | 5 |
| ⅛” | 7 | 12 |
| ¼” | 14 | 23 |
| ⅜” | 21 | 34 |
How To Use Self-Leveling Concrete as a Finishing on a New Garage Floor
The method of application is pretty much the same as that for resurfacing an old garage floor. Some differences will be:
- Make sure that the new concrete has fully cured (4 weeks from pour)
- Surface cleaning requirements will be minimal
- Repairing floor imperfections will not be necessary
- 1 coat of primer will be enough
- You can color the self-leveling concrete resurfacer to give your garage floor a unique look
FAQ
How Does Self-Leveling Concrete Work?
Self-leveling concrete is formulated using cement as the main component. Polymeric binders, fillers (usually sand), and fluidizing agents are added to create the self-leveling concrete powder.
A very small quantity of water is required to convert the powder into a mixture that has the consistency of honey or maple syrup. This consistency allows self-leveling concrete to flow, spread, and level out. The binders ensure quick setting.
Is Self-Leveling Concrete as Strong as Regular Concrete?
The main active component in self-leveling concrete is cement, just as in regular concrete. The special polymeric binders give self-leveling concrete compressive strength that is equal to or higher than regular concrete.
Is Self-Leveling Concrete Durable?
Self-leveling concrete is quite durable and can be used as finishing on a garage floor. It will stand up to everyday wear and tear for quite a few years.
How Thick Can Self-Leveling Concrete Be Poured?
The thickness that you can achieve with self-leveling concrete depends on the brand and the product. Thickness as low as 1/16” is possible. Most resurfacing jobs require the thickness to be between ⅛” – ⅝”.
Most brands recommend building up the thickness in stages. This gives better bonding and strength to the concrete.
Thank you very much for reading the post. I do hope you found it informative and useful.
