r/GarageFlooring

I’ve got Duramat 12mm interlocking plastic PVC tiles - they used to be perfect laid on bare concrete for many years.

However to solve a condensation issue affecting only the floor, I installed a DPC, high strength XPS insulation, topped with OSB3 anchored though the XPS to the concrete. Which has totally solved the condensation issue And provided a great base for the cars (3 cars nose to tail).

I then relaid the plastic tiles as a nice finishing layer, but now they buckle up as you drive along them! I’m sure this is caused be either micro compression from the new floor, or, lack of friction between the tiles and the OSB.

As a test I screwed the first row of tiles down, it reduced the effect slightly but still a big problem.

Not sure what to do next:

1a) Glue down every interlocking tile!

1b) Install some sort of underlay to provide increased friction.

2. Install something like a commercial grade Alto or Polysafe PVC vinyl sheet flooring. - getting mixed ideas on how to prep and prime the OSB though for an adhesive.

3. Swap to more rigid PP interlocking plastic tiles. - feels a gamble as to if they’ll behave differently, plus they have gaps in the tile design which imo isn’t a great idea.

4. Install something like Watco Flexcoat polyaspartic coating. - they offer a few potential products and primers. Seems a high quality brand, def not cheap mind!

Obviously hindsight I’d have gone marine plywood rather than OSB, but the idea was to use the plastic tiles as the top layer, and never envisaged this buckling problem.

Advice very welcome, though I really don’t want to replace the OSB - going round in circles with AI!!

(Last image would be the rough goal)

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for advice on fixing my garage floor. I live in Canada, so we get harsh winters with freeze/thaw cycles. My garage floor is basically disintegrating, it’s got gravel potholes and exposed rebar. I use it in the winter to park my car, and in the summer, it’s my workshop space where I do mechanic work, so I need a smooth surface (especially to run a jack across).

I don’t have the budget to pour a whole new slab, but I’m hoping for something a bit more than just a temporary fix. What I’m wondering is, other then pouring a new slab what could I do? If it’s economical can I just pour 2 inches on top so have a new top coat? I’d really appreciate any suggestions from folks with experience.

I did have water issues (in the spring the thaw water would run down the driveway into the garage). I’m adding a grate drain in front and French drains to each side to combat the water issues.