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Concrete shrinkage cracks are very common and should be expected. Even professionals end up with shrinkage cracks on newly poured concrete slabs. Remember that these cracks are not harmful to the slab's strength, though some homeowners do prefer to fill in the cracks for aesthetics. When installing concrete, you can avoid ample concrete shrinkage cracks by avoiding hot, sunny, or windy days.

The concrete that likely already makes up your garage floor is the longest-lasting garage floor material, although you can treat it with a variety of coverings to improve its durability. Epoxy is one of the most popular options, as it’s relatively affordable, adds strength to the floor, helps prevent staining and physical damage, and even improves the resistance to water intrusion. Other popular options for durable floor coverings include rubber, an aspartic coating, and vinyl.

Vinegar has become popular because it’s wallet-friendly, easy to find, and sounds like a great alternative to harsh chemicals and expensive machinery. However, vinegar isn’t strong enough to remove concrete sealant. Sealants can resist acid, and vinegar is a much weaker acid than chemical removal agents. And worse, vinegar can damage concrete by dulling it and causing pitting.

Most of the time, you or your contractor will spray the concrete form and framework with a release agent or oil to prevent sticking. This is common practice with wood and steel forms. For insulated concrete forms, the styrofoam formwork often remains in place after construction, so you don’t need to treat it beforehand. Foam concrete forms made out of melamine also may not need treatment beforehand, as the material naturally won’t stick to the concrete after it’s cured.