In Michigan, garages are exposed to constant moisture pressure. Snow and ice melt into the slab, groundwater pushes upward, and seasonal humidity swings never really stop. Over time, those conditions test every layer of a garage floor coating.
That’s why the warranty matters as much as the coating itself. But in this industry, most warranties aren’t built to protect homeowners. They’re built to protect the installer.
Here are the quiet exclusions to look for before signing anything.
How Moisture Clauses Undercut Garage Floor Warranties
One of the most deceptive tactics in the garage floor coating industry is the use of arbitrary moisture limits. Warranty exclusions often reference thresholds such as 3 lbs MVER, 6 lbs MVER, or specific Tramex readings. These numbers are presented as technical safeguards, but they primarily exist as warranty escape clauses. The moment moisture contributes to a failure, coverage disappears.
Moisture vapor transmission through concrete is constant in Michigan slabs. When a warranty relies on exclusions instead of moisture mitigation, failure is not a possibility, it is a matter of time.
The Install-Day Moisture Trap
Another common tactic appears on installation day. After diamond grinding the slab, contractors suddenly claim they have discovered moisture and pressure homeowners into unexpected moisture-mitigation fees. These last-minute charges can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the project.
The reality is simple. Moisture in concrete slabs is inevitable. These surprise fees are not technical necessities. They are upsells designed to increase revenue while creating a future warranty loophole for the installer.
We include a moisture-mitigating vapor barrier primer as part of every professional garage floor coating system, without surprise charges.
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What Michigan Homeowners Should Demand From a Warranty
Before signing any contract, homeowners should demand clear answers to these questions:
- Does your warranty cover all moisture-related issues, yes or no?
- Do you use a moisture-mitigating primer, yes or no?
- Is plasticizer migration included, yes or no?
- Is your warranty full coverage including materials and labor, yes or no?
- Can you provide Technical Data Sheets for every product you install, yes or no?
If the installer cannot answer yes to all five, it is time to keep looking.
To learn more about coatings designed for real-world Michigan conditions, contact Garage Floor Coating of Michigan today to schedule a consultation and protect your investment with a warranty that actually means something.