Remodel Your Garage !

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Sealing a garage floor

The floor of your garage is exposed to intense corrosion and deterioration due to road salt, oils and other auto fluids. Sealing your garage floor reduces dust and makes cleaning and sweeping easier. A clear acrylic concrete sealer protects the concrete from damage and stains. Also the same sealers can be used on concrete walks and driveways or as a primer under acrylic or polyurethane floor paints. You should take care when and where you apply a sealer because they cannot be applied over paint or other coatings.

In order to do the sealing yourself you need several materials and tools: protective clothing, neoprene rubber gloves, goggles, a stiff brush and a bucket, a paintbrush, a cartridge-style respirator with organic-vapor and small-particle filters, paint roller with extension handle and tray, medium nap roller cover, a concrete degreaser and of course some concrete sealer. Usually ½ gallon of sealer is used for approximately 100 square feet.

Before sealing you have to clean the floor because it has to be free of dirt, grease and oil. To do this you should use a stiff scrub brush to apply the cleaner and concrete degreaser according to the instructions. Allow the solution to lay on the floor for 15 to 20 minutes more for stubborn stains after scrubbing. After his you should rinse thoroughly with clear water. You may need several applications. Many concrete sealers contain hazardous chemicals that may be harmful to skin and eyes and the vapors are not safe to breathe but the vast majority are acrylic. The best way to avoid damages to your skin, eyes and lungs is to wear the protective equipment made of neoprene rubber gloves, goggles and a respirator with both organic-vapor and solid-particle filter cartridges. During the process of sealing the floor you should continuously ventilate the garage by opening all doors and windows and also using a fan would be a great idea.

After cleaning and drying the concrete, the sealer has to be applied. The sealer should be tested in an inconspicuous area before applying. Some uneven density in the concrete may result in light/dark appearance that may be objectionable. By using the medium-nap paint roller with extension handle is the easiest way to apply the sealer. Start in a rear corner continuing to work your way out of the garage. Before doing anything else you should allow the sealer to dry as indicated on the sealer bottle, usually for a few hours. For a driveway the procedure is essentially the same but it would be quicker to use a garden sprayer to apply the sealer to a large driveway. You should act with caution not to over spray on other material due to the high risk of staining.

What would your dream garage look like? Some people want to have it fitted for the car, others dream for a really nice workshop, a laundry room, a gym or a rehearsal studio for their own musical band. Some other people only want it to expand their living space and improve their lifestyle.

How much money do you have to work with? Even if you want only to remodel, rebuild or only reorganize a small area of your garage you must have a budget. It is imperative to have in mind a specific target and a realistic and finite budget for it.

The first step is to carefully evaluate your needs regarding the space and your needs. Even if it is a small garage, you can find plenty of space to use for your work area.

Making the decision regarding whether to do the project yourself or to hire a contractor depends on several factors, including your skills and the magnitude of the project. Having only basic skills you can produce a great reorganization project.

You can buy the needed furniture yourself according to your needs and your available space. Cabinets, shelves, pegs and hooks are a must have in order to turn your garage into usable space over a weekend. If you have a greater project in mind, maybe you should consult a plumber or an electrician.

If you are planning to convert your garage into a living area you’d better be a professional or you’ll be risking decreasing the safety and value of your own home.

If you opt for a contractor, and this is the choice that we recommend regardless of the project’s magnitude or your skills, get one whose work you’ve seen and if you have the chance, get some recommendations. It is better to see with your own eyes the skills and some relevant work of the contractor so you can decide whether you could be satisfied with his work or not.

Costs and construction times vary with the scope and the magnitude of the project. If there are no structural issues, finishing and enclosing a garage and turning it into useable room would take less than two weeks. The costs depend on the materials that you decide to use, but keep in mind that expensive does not necessary mean quality and that cheap does not grant you reliability every time.

Your garage can be a place to spend many happy hours for a long time to come if you plan it right according to your needs and dreams.


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