Why Does My Garage Floor Crack During The Winter?

It's winter time again. There's snow all over the place, icicles in the trees, and the garage floor is beginning to crack. It's not just your garage, either; concrete of all types begin to show lines and crack when the freezing temperatures hit.  Garage floors everywhere just go to pieces.

A Concrete Garage Floor Will Absorb Any Liquid

Your concrete garage floor acts like a very, very slow sponge. Any liquid that comes in contact with it will be soaked up, albeit slowly. Those of us who have changed their own oil know this as the smallest bit of motor oil will create a tiny, but permanent stain. All concrete garage floors are the same, so you're not alone here, either. Any garage flooring that has no cover will absorb water as well. Water doesn't sound very threatening, I know, as it would be a clear stain, right? Unfortunately, when the temperature gets low enough, water does something that many other chemicals don't do...

A Frigid Saboteur

In most parts of the world, it will get cold enough for water to freeze at some point in the year. Materials contract when they get cold, but water becomes solid. Although ice is no match for concrete when it comes to durability, tiny bits of solidified water added to your concrete will definitely create an unwanted solidity. As the concrete begins to contract, this solidity can become quite destructive.

Moisture Is Always Incredibly Tenacious

"But I keep my garage door closed!" you say. Well, that doesn't always matter. Humidity in the air can still get to your garage floor, even if your garage has been kept closed up. No garage is waterproof, so any garage floor is susceptible to the effects of moisture, even those protected by doors and walls. Not only that, but moisture can also creep in to the concrete from the sides and underneath, though that depends largely on your area, just how much rain you've had, how long water sat against your garage, and how high your water table is.

A Garage Floor Covering Could Have Prevented This Problem!

Garage floor coverings, such as mats and tiles, can help protect your concrete and keep it from cracking. Although there is really nothing you can do about the moisture that comes in from the sides and bottom of your concrete, that is really only a small portion of what you need to worry about. The majority comes from above. An epoxy garage floor coating will seal the top of your garage floor against moisture, keeping it out almost entirely. Even a garage floor covering such as a mat or tiles will help as they will absorb much of the moisture themselves.

Will A Garage Floor Covering Help If I'm Sure That Moisture Wasn't To Blame?

You will still see benefits, yes. With the exception of the big fireball in the sky, which has little effect on a covered garage, the majority of your garage floor's warmth is going to come from the ground. Using a covering or coating can help contain this warmth, which will make the garage floor stay warmer, and hopefully not crack.