How to guide: Take your garage to the next level with epoxy flooring

After a long day on the tools you’ve just finished your latest DIY project which means it’s time for your least favourite job – cleaning up!

Whether it’s an oil leak coming from your old car, paint splatter stains, or superglue from fixing your kid’s favourite toy cleaning your garage floor doesn’t need to be a dreaded task.

Giving your garage a much-needed refit is easier than you think. If you’re ready to turn your garage into the sleek and easy-to-clean workshop of your dreams, epoxy flooring could be for you.

Check out our guide below to help you install your new epoxy flooring yourself. With the right tools and a spare weekend, your garage will be ready to tackle the post-DIY mess in no time.

What is epoxy flooring?

Epoxy is a topical coating that seals and protects bare concrete.

If your garage floor has lived quite a productive life and has the marks to prove it, epoxy can help fill minor cracks and protect your floors from further stains, marks or damage.

What are the benefits?

A garage is a home for DIY projects, hobbies, and storage – so why not take the pressure off the clean-up by upgrading your garage floor with a protective coating?

By adding a sturdy epoxy sealant, you can create a chip, stain, and chemical-resistant layer on top of your existing garage floor that can make post-DIY project clean-ups quick and easy! It even works to reduce the dust in your garage, as bare concrete tends to break down into powder from regular foot traffic, tools being dropped or cars moving in and out of the garage.

With the options to pick colours and textures, epoxy is not only practical but can be customised to match your personal style.

Now you know the basics, here’s how to do it yourself!

Applying epoxy flooring can easily be done yourself with some supplies from your local hardware shop.

What you’ll need to succeed:

• Epoxy kit (with flakes if you would like that effect)
• Hydrochloric acid
• High-pressure gurney
• Painters’ tape
• Paint roller

To apply epoxy to your garage floor yourself, follow these seven steps:

1. Check whether your floor is sealed by sprinkling a small amount of water onto the concrete. If the water beads, a sealer has been used and your floors need to be stripped before applying the epoxy. If the water absorbs into the concrete, then it isn’t sealed and you are ready to move on to the next step
2. Clean your garage floor with a high-pressure gurney to remove any dirt and dust
3. Use hydrochloric acid as per the instructions to wash and scrub the floor, rinse when finished
4. Lay painters’ tape where the walls meet the floor to protect your walls from copping an unnecessary coating
5. Mix your epoxy. For this step, you must ensure that you follow the instructions on the kit very closely, and use the appropriate safety gear such as goggles, gloves and a ventilating face mask
6. Start with the corners and apply your epoxy. By using a paint roller, you can make the job quick and easy!
7. To ensure your epoxy has dried properly, we recommend leaving the floor undisturbed overnight before walking on it

Once your new epoxy coating is completely dry, your garage will have an impressive new chip, stain, and chemical-resistant layer ready to protect your floors.

This protective layer makes it easy to quickly pack up after your DIY projects and means time-consuming clean-ups are now a thing of the past!

For more information about Chamberlain’s range of garage door openers and accessories, visit our website or call 0800 653 667.