Cracks in garage floor/foundation
#1
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Cracks in garage floor/foundation
Hi all, I need some help with my garage. I have a detached garage, and there are some cracks in our floor/foundation of the garage. We get some heavy rains here in Houston and I get some water pooling in the low spots. It looks like it's just leaking in from the cracks, not alot, but when it's bad there will be about an inch of water.
We don't have the budget to completely rip out and replace the floor/foundation. We primarily just use the garage for parking, I just don't like water in my garage. Any tips/ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!
We don't have the budget to completely rip out and replace the floor/foundation. We primarily just use the garage for parking, I just don't like water in my garage. Any tips/ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!
#2
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You can get two part epoxy concrete patch kit at most home centers. I've used it successfully on basement foundation cracks. It's a little pricey but you won't be reworking the cracks. I read somewhere that thinset (bagged) mixed very thin also works but I have not tried it.
You may have to widen the cracks to get enough of the product in the joint to make an effective repair. I used a hammer and chisel to get the crack about 1/4" wide and a putty knife to force the epoxy into the crack.
You may have to widen the cracks to get enough of the product in the joint to make an effective repair. I used a hammer and chisel to get the crack about 1/4" wide and a putty knife to force the epoxy into the crack.
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Does the garage have gutters with downspouts that get the water away from the foundation?? And is the grading such that water rubs away from the foundation?? As to the slab, a fact of life is, concrete will crack. A good concrete guy will make it crack where he wants, not at random. But instead of epoxy, how about a urethane caulk that stays pliable and will allow movement of the two parts.
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No gutters and I know the grading takes the water right into the garage. Since we have a detached garage, the water runs away from the house (thankfully) but some of it goes into the garage.
I'm a novice at landscaping, but what is the best way to change grade? I thought I shoudn't just add more dirt around the garage, because I need several inches between the ground and my siding. do i remove material elsewhere in the backyard?
I'm a novice at landscaping, but what is the best way to change grade? I thought I shoudn't just add more dirt around the garage, because I need several inches between the ground and my siding. do i remove material elsewhere in the backyard?
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You need to add around the garage or remove from the center of the yard so water bypasses both the house and the garage. You do not want dirt up against siding. Sorry, but this is not light duty work, regardless of which needs to be done.