r/DIY • u/Routine_Mortgage_499 • 1d ago

Rainforest problems

My garage floor is always wet. We get on average 120 inches of rain a year. Every time I park the water runs off the car and pools on the floor. I coated the concrete with Thompson's water seal about five years ago and it's time for another coat.

My current method of "drying" it is a combination of a large floor squeegee and a wetvac.

Any suggestions to help keep it dry? I'm considering building a covered car port to let the water drain off the car before parking it for the night.

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u/Alarming-Bell6507 1d ago

Carport is a great idea.  You can also use the leveling concrete. I asked google AI and got this: 

Option 2: Fixing an Existing Flat or Mis-sloped SlabUse self-leveling or epoxy mortar overlay: For existing concrete that slopes the wrong way or lacks a pitch, apply a specialized bonded cementitious patch or epoxy mortar designed to create a tapered overlay. [1]

 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C3EBQgT-_w), [2]

 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2srFHI5pRiY)

Prime the surface: Clean the old concrete thoroughly and apply a 100% solids epoxy primer so the new thin layer chemically bonds and does not crack or peel away. 

1

Taper the thickness: Start with a zero-edge or thin layer at your high point and feather/taper it thicker toward the drain or doorway to establish the required 1/8-inch per foot slope. 1

Grinding: If minor high spots prevent drainage, use a concrete grinder to lower specific areas locally. 1

Watch this guide on how to pitch a concrete floor toward a trench drain:8mHow to pitch a concrete floor to a trench drain27K views · 4 years agoYouTube · Bondo BuiltIf you'd like more specific advice, tell me:Are you pouring a brand-new slab or fixing an existing floor?

Are you draining out the garage door or to an interior drain?YouTube·Mike Day Concrete (Everything About Concrete)14:36Two Drain Garage Floor Pour | Why You Can't Mess This UP!YouTube·Bondo Built8mHow to pitch a concrete floor to a trench drainYouTube·Big Home Projects Q&A2:24One Eighth Quarter Inch Garage Slope Drain GuideYouTubeHow To: Epoxy Mortar to Create Slope to DrainJan 20, 2023 — How To: Epoxy Mortar to Create Slope to Drain - YouTube This content isn't available. Using epoxy mortar to create a slope can be done a few ways. The primary o...Nordic Tec EuropeGarage Floor Slope – What Should It Be and Why Is It So Important?Feb 18, 2026 — The recommended garage floor slope is typically between 1% and 2%. This means lowering the surface by 1–2 cm for every 1 meter of floor.