ᐅ Garage: Protection Against Road Salt in Winter

I have a question about garage planning. Our garage will have a smooth concrete slab floor, and the walls will be made of 24 cm (9.5 inches) brick. In our current garage, we have the problem that the paint and plaster are gradually peeling off in some areas near the floor. This is most likely caused by salt used in winter.

For the new garage, I would like to avoid this issue from the start. How could this be achieved?

By sealing the floor and creating a base plinth. This can be done using tiles or a coating (ideally two-component systems).

Depending on the construction, a barrier against rising damp may also be necessary.

You can find, for example, epoxy floor sealers on Amazon, two-component types. This stuff is extremely dense, durable, and resistant to almost everything. But be careful when working with it. I’ve done a lot of epoxy work on ships. Gloves are a must. Rollers need to be suitable for two-component systems. Those with short nap hold up well; foam rollers do not—they simply dissolve. Epoxy has little odor but is still quite toxic. Use a respirator and safety glasses. Tools and rollers cannot be cleaned afterward. Anything that gets on clothing is permanent. I accidentally touched my car with epoxy on my hand—left a permanent mark that does not wash off. But once cured, it is highly resistant to everything. Please no experiments with the resin-to-hardener ratio; epoxy requires much more precise mixing than polyester. Karsten

I want to apply a 1K garage sealant, including the baseboard. I am interested in how to best seal the joint between the wall and the screed (edge insulation strip). How did you do this?

Take Sika 221, for example. It has strong adhesion, is elastic, paintable, still affordable, proven, and resistant to the most common chemicals, including mineral oils. Karsten

I’m currently dealing with the same question. Are there any new experiences?

Somewhere I once read about a product from the marine sector that was recommended. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the name. Does anyone happen to have an idea or recommend other products that offer good value for money? I don’t really want to spend over 200€ just to seal a prefabricated garage.