My garage floor is crumbling or flaking. Who do I call?
Usually, start with
Concrete repair / resurfacing professional
If the garage floor surface is flaking, scaling, or breaking apart while the slab remains generally in place, a concrete repair or resurfacing professional commonly evaluates the extent of surface deterioration and whether repair or replacement should be considered.
Change course if
The slab is also sinking, heaving, or badly displaced
Concrete leveling or structural expertise may also be relevant when deterioration is accompanied by movement.
The damage is concentrated where deicing salts or vehicles are used
A concrete professional can evaluate the deterioration pattern and surface condition.
Moisture repeatedly appears through the floor
Moisture-testing, drainage, or waterproofing expertise may also be relevant before a new finish is applied.
Who handles what
Concrete repair / resurfacing
Evaluates scaling, spalling, flaking, and other surface deterioration and the feasibility of repair.
Concrete replacement
Evaluates slabs whose deterioration is too extensive for a surface repair approach.
Moisture testing
Evaluates moisture conditions that may affect the performance of coatings or resurfacing materials.
What might be happening
Surface deterioration can affect only the upper portion of the concrete or can accompany deeper damage. Freeze-thaw exposure, salts, moisture, finishing conditions, wear, and other factors can produce similar-looking symptoms, so the visible surface alone does not establish the cause.
Useful things to notice
How deep the damaged areas appear
Loose surface flakes differ from deeper broken or missing concrete.
Where the damage is concentrated
Tire paths, door areas, edges, or widespread deterioration can be useful patterns to document.
Whether moisture is also present
Recurring dampness is useful information before resurfacing or coating work is considered.
Before you call
Photograph both the overall floor and close views of the deteriorated areas. Note whether loose material can be brushed away and whether the damage appears to be expanding.
Before you fix the visible symptom
A coating or thin surface treatment depends on the condition of the concrete beneath it. Covering loose or deteriorated concrete before the substrate is evaluated can hide the extent of the problem and may shorten the life of the new finish.
References
American Concrete Institute, Committee E706. RAP-7, Spall Repair of Horizontal Concrete Surfaces.
American Concrete Institute. ACI 201.1R-08, Guide for Conducting a Visual Inspection of Concrete in Service.
Jana, Dipayan. Concrete, Construction, or Salt—Which Causes Scaling? Concrete International, 2004.