How To Fix Cracks In Garage Floor Before Epoxy

There’s a lot to be said about how to fix cracks in a garage floor before epoxy​ because doing so is one of the crucial steps you should take before installation. 

Basically, if there are any cracks or debris on your floor before you install the epoxy, it will cause imperfections in the end result. 

That might mean an uneven surface or even an incomplete seal. 

And in the worst case, imperfections like that can cause you to have to do the whole process all over again. 

As with so many other things in life, if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. 

So, here are some pointers on how to fix cracks in garage floor before epoxy to guide you through the process of preparing your floor for an epoxy coating.

1. Clean Out The Cracks

If there are any objects (no matter how small) between the epoxy and the solid concrete of your floor, they will get in the way of the epoxy gripping onto the floor. 

That means little bits of plastic, flakes from dried leaves, and even dust or hair. 

It’s best to be as thorough with this as you can, so a microfiber brush, leaf blower, air compressor, or even a pressure washer can help. 

Take care not to damage your floor by being too rough, but do be meticulous, as anything that’s on your floor when you install the epoxy will get trapped under it. 

Just be sure to let everything dry fully before you install the epoxy coating. 

2. Clear Out Any Concrete Debris

This is part of what we just said, but we’re referring here specifically to concrete debris, not general debris. 

And by that, we mean those little pieces of concrete and concrete dust that have broken off from your floor and found their way into the cracks. 

Like plastic, leaves, or anything else, these little fragments of concrete will get in between the epoxy and your floor during installation, causing imperfections in the seal. 

If any fragment of concrete has entirely separated from the greater whole of your floor (or if it’s wobbly and barely hanging on), just pull it out and clean the space it used to be in.

3. Grind

Sometimes, you’ll get cracks that are particularly deep. 

In those cases, it can be beneficial to use a grinder on your floor to repair them. 

Essentially, the idea is to remove any uneven edges and create something like a V shape all the way along the length of the crack. 

And the reason you do this is to create a larger and more even surface for any filler or sealant to adhere to (more on that later). 

Aside from this, grinding your floor before installing your epoxy coating is also essential because the grinding removes any sealers, adhesives, or other things that might have gotten stuck to your floor ovre time. 

Additionally, it ensures that the surface of your concrete floor is sufficiently porous for the epoxy to adhere to.

4. Fill and Seal The Cracks

After making sure that they are completely dry, you can start preparing the cracks in your floor for filling and sealing. 

Any kind of moisture or liquid can prevent proper adhesion of the filler or sealer material. 

In other words, the filler or sealing material might not stick to the floor as well. 

So, once you’ve selected and prepped a filler that is designed to work well with epoxy, you can start filling the cracks with it and using a putty knife or similar tool to even it out so that the overall surface of your garage floor remains as flat and consistent as possible. 

Allow time for the filler to cure and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before moving on to the next step.

5. Seal The Cracks

You’re almost at the end. 

The next thing you need to do is apply a sealant to the cracks after the filler has completely dried and cured inside them. 

Be sure to use a sealant that is designed to work well with both epoxy and the filler that you’ve chosen. 

Once you’ve gotten it prepped, begin applying it on top of the crack. 

Be generous with it and don’t worry if it makes the surface a bit less flat. 

You’re supposed to apply enough to make a bit of a bump. 

That’s because, once it fully dries, you’ll sand it down until the whole surface of your floor is consistently level. 

Fortunately, much like concrete, filler generally contracts/shrinks as it dries. 

So even though you’re sanding the sealant down after it dries, there should still be a layer of it in the crack on top of the filler.

Don’t Feel Like You Have to Do It All By Yourself

If you’ve followed the steps in this guide on how to fix cracks in garage floor before epoxy, your floor should be adequately prepped for installing an epoxy coating. 

However, one last thing that’s worth mentioning here is that, as with the installation of the epoxy itself, you don’t necessarily need to DIY this. 

You certainly can and, as a homeowner, that’s your right. 

But you can save yourself a lot of time and effort by simply calling the professionals and having them do it for you. 

And then, you also won’t have to worry about whether or not you missed a spot or did something incorrectly just because this is your first time trying and you, like everyone else, are probably going to make a mistake your first time doing anything. 

Whichever way you decide to go, don’t be afraid to get in touch and ask us for any information or advice that might help you get the best result possible.