Blog Details

How To Power Washing Your Garage Floor?

How To Power Washing Your Garage Floor?

We at Mehr’s Garage Doors know how important keeping the garage floor clean is. Power washing your garage floor is crucial in maintaining your space and protecting your investment, not just for aesthetic reasons.What you need to know before you start power washing your garage floor and the benefits of doing so. Let’s examine why this easy job can make a big difference in how your garage looks and works.

Why Power Wash Your Garage Floor: 

Benefits and Considerations:

At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we’ve seen how power washing can often change the look of a garage floor. This deep cleaning process has many benefits. Oil stains, grease spots, and built-up dirt that usual cleaning can’t get rid of are easily removed.

Power washing removes areas that could be dangerously slippery, making your garage safer. It can even make your concrete floor last longer by keeping dirt and chemicals from doing long-term damage.

But it’s crucial to consider factors like good drainage and protecting items that are kept before you start. To ensure power washing is the best option, we continually assess each garage’s unique layout.

Preparing Your Garage for Power Washing: 

Safety and Setup:

Getting ready is very important before we start power washing. You should clean out your garage. This gives us complete access to the floor and protects your belongings from water damage. At Mehr’s Garage Doors, safety is the most essential thing, so we always wear protective gear like masks and wet boots.

We block areas where water shouldn’t get in and cover electrical sources. Additionally, our team looks for any preexisting floor damage that might require extra care while cleaning. When set up correctly, a complete clean can happen without any problems.

Choosing the Right Pressure Washer:

Picking a suitable power washer is crucial for effective cleaning without harming your floor. At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we use a machine with at least 3000 PSI to remove tough garage stains. But the best choice for you will depend on your situation.

We consider the size of your garage, the type of stains you’re dealing with, and the condition of your concrete. We might opt for a lower-pressure setting for older or more fragile floor types. With our years of experience, we know how to find the best balance between cleaning power and surface safety.

Essential Supplies and Equipment:

We also bring a number of other important things for a full cleaning, including a pressure washer. For oil stains that won’t come out, we always use a heavy-duty cleaner. A stiff-bristle brush is crucial for cleaning before and during the wash.

We remember safety gear like gloves and eye protection. We also bring wet vacuums or squeegees to handle water flow if your garage doesn’t have a drain.

Mehr’s Garage Doors also has surface cleaners for more extensive areas and different tools for different cleaning needs. Thanks to our vast collection of tools, we’re ready for any cleaning task your garage floor might throw at us.

Step-by-Step Guide to Power Washing Your Garage Floor:

We’re very good at power washing garage floors here at Mehr’s Garage Doors. This is the method we’ve always used:

Clearing and Sweeping the Floor:

First, we get rid of everything. Everything goes, including cars, tools, and boxes. We give the garage a good cleaning once it’s empty. This initial clean-up removes loose dirt and makes the power washing more efficient. We pay extra attention to edges and corners, which are great places for hiding dirt.

Pre-treating Stains and Grease Spots:

Next, we’ll tackle those tough stains. We take extra care of oil spills and grease marks. A strong cleaner is used in these areas, and we wait about 15 minutes for it to dry. This first step loosens up the dirt, making it easier to blast off later.

Setting Up Your Pressure Washer:

It’s time to get our power washer ready. First, we test it outside the garage and ensure it’s hooked up to a steady water source. Second, safety. Before taking it into the garage, we always provide tight links.

Proper Technique for Power Washing Concrete:

This is where the magic takes place. We begin at the back of the garage and move to the door. It’s about 6 to 8 inches above the floor, and we move in steady, overlapped stripes. We may have to go over an area twice to get rid of tough stains, but we’re always careful not to damage the concrete.

Rinsing and Removing Wastewater:

After thoroughly cleaning the floor, we give it one last rinse to remove any dirt or cleaning solution that remains on it. If your garage doesn’t have a drain, the wastewater is removed with a wet vacuum or squeegee. We ensure this water is thrown away properly; it never goes down city drains or onto your yard.

We believe in cleaning everything well and responsibly for Mehr’s Garage Doors. This step-by-step guide will keep your garage floor clean and in good shape for years.

Protecting Walls and Belongings:

 During power washing, Mehr’s Garage Doors goes above and beyond to protect your garage’s walls and belongings. Heavy-duty plastic sheets cover the walls’ bottom parts, especially plywood ones.

We carefully wrap things that can’t be moved in waterproof covers. We also always check the power plugs and cover them with waterproof tape.

When cleaning up close to walls, our team uses low-pressure tools so water doesn’t get behind the corners. There is no damage to the areas around your floor that we want to clean thoroughly.

Dealing with Drainage Issues When Power Washing Indoors:

We at Mehr’s Garage Doors don’t care that some garages don’t have drains built-in. We use squeegees and wet vacuums to deal with water flow in places that don’t have good draining.

Rubber mats make a slight slope to move water toward the garage door. Sometimes, we suggest a temporary draining system to speed up cleaning. Our team has handled many drainage issues, ensuring your garage remains dry and clean.

Post-Washing Care: 

Drying and Sealing Your Garage Floor:

Proper drying is crucial after power washing. At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we use powerful fans to speed up the drying process. Once the floor is dry, it is checked for any areas that might need extra care.

A sealer is often suggested if the concrete is weak or shows signs of wear. This protects your floor and simplifies future cleanings. We use premium sealants for garage floors, offering long-lasting protection from stains and moisture.

Alternative Cleaning Methods:

Although power washing is best, we at Mehr’s Garage Doors understand it is not always possible. Other ways of cleaning are available for garages that don’t have suitable drains. These include cleaning small areas with a scrub brush and degreaser or using a steam cleaner to get a better clean without too much water.

We might also use a dry cleaning method with special chemicals to soak up the dirt. Our team adapts the cleaning strategy to your garage configuration, ensuring a clean floor regardless of restrictions. We’ll always be ready to find new ways to clean your garage floor.

Maintaining Your Garage Floor: 

At Mehr’s Garage Doors, maintaining your garage floor is just as important as keeping it clean. We suggest you sweep often after power washing to keep dirt from building up. If you spill oil, clean it immediately to keep it from coloring.

We recommend using a concrete finish every year to protect your floor from stains and moisture. This will keep your floor looking great and make it last longer. Remember that a clean and well-kept garage floor is safer and more welcoming.

Troubleshooting Common Issues:

Even with our experience, there are times when things go wrong during power washing. We regularly deal with stains that won’t come out. In these situations, we might use a special cleaner or slightly raise the pressure.

Don’t worry if you see water getting into cracks; we have answers for that, too. We can use less pressure or fill in these cracks before washing. At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we’re always ready to change how we clean to tackle any cleaning challenge.

Professional vs. DIY Garage Floor Power Washing: 

Pros and Cons:

Despite the temptation to do your own power washing, hiring professionals like us at Mehr’s Garage Doors has benefits. We know about different types of concrete and have professional-grade tools and experience.

Your floor will probably be cleaner without any damage. But we get why people like to do things themselves—it can save them money on small cleaning jobs. We’re happy to guide you through tool rentals and safety steps if you do it yourself. What you choose will depend on the condition of your garage and how comfortable you are with the job.

Conclusion: 

We want to help you keep your garage floor clean and safe here at Mehr’s Garage Doors. Power washing is an excellent way to make your garage look new again, but you must plan and do it right. Remember that a clean garage floor looks great and protects your investment for years to come, whether you choose our professional services or opt for a do-it-yourself method.

FAQ’s:

How often should I power wash my garage floor? 

If you notice major oil stains or dirt buildup, we advise power washing your garage floor at least once a year.

Can power washing damage my garage floor?

If you do it right, power washing shouldn’t damage your floor. We always use the right amount of pressure and methods to clean well without harming anything.

What if my garage doesn’t have a drain?

No drain? Not a problem. We can offer alternative ways of cleaning that use less water, or we can use wet vacuums and squeegees to remove water.

How long does a garage floor dry after power washing take?

The drying time varies, but it usually takes between 24 and 48 hours. Fans help speed up the process, and you should keep the garage well-ventilated.

Is it safe to power wash a painted garage floor?

The type of paint and its condition determine this. To prevent painted surfaces from peeling, we assess each floor separately and may suggest a soft cleaning method.