What to Know Before Pouring Your Garage or Basement Floor
A Checklist for Michigan Homeowners Planning a Concrete Floor Pour
Planning to pour a new concrete floor inside your home? Whether it’s your basement or garage, there’s more to it than just booking a crew and picking a finish. Homeowners across West Michigan are asking the same questions: What kind of prep is required? How do you handle moisture under a basement slab? And what’s the right thickness for a garage that sees daily use?
This guide is built for anyone getting serious about their slab—especially those in Michigan dealing with freeze-thaw cycles, moisture-prone soil, and older homes with questionable subfloors. Whether you’re updating a basement in Ada or starting from scratch on a garage build in Grandville, we’ll walk you through what matters.
This isn’t theory. It’s a practical checklist based on the real questions our customers ask—and what we’ve learned from hundreds of slab installs across West Michigan.
What Do I Need to Pour a Garage or Basement Floor?
If you’re pouring a new concrete floor inside, the prep matters as much as the pour itself. Whether it’s a garage slab in Caledonia or a basement floor in East Grand Rapids, the details you handle before the truck shows up make the biggest difference in how that floor holds up over time.
Here’s what needs to be in place:
On-Site Walkthrough
Every project should start with a walk-through. We look at how water moves across the site, how level the subfloor is, and what kind of access the crew has to get in and out. Older homes, especially in areas like Heritage Hill or Eastown, can have tricky layouts that need extra planning.
Permitting Review
Most residential floor pours in Michigan don’t require permits if there’s no structural work. But if the job includes plumbing tie-ins or foundation changes, we’ll confirm what your township expects before we pour.
Subgrade Prep
The ground beneath your slab needs to be compacted and leveled properly. If there are soft spots or old debris under a basement slab, it needs to come out. In garages, poor grading can cause puddling or frost damage later.
Vapor Barrier Installation
For any interior slab, a vapor barrier is essential. It keeps moisture from migrating up into the concrete, especially in basements or attached garages where snowmelt, humidity, and wet soil are common.
Reinforcement Selection
We choose the reinforcement based on how the slab will be used. Wire mesh is common in basements that will be finished with flooring. For garage slabs, we often use fiber mesh to help the surface hold up under vehicle weight and weather swings.
Concrete Mix Choice
The right mix depends on the job. Some floors will get an epoxy finish, some are left as broom finish, and others just need a clean, smooth surface. We spec the psi, additives, and air content based on what the floor will deal with after it’s poured.
Crew and Equipment Access
Good access makes the job smoother and faster. We plan for where the truck can park, how we’ll move material into tight spaces, and whether tools and finishing gear can get in cleanly. This matters a lot in older city lots and walkout basements.
Quick Checklist:
- Job walk completed and site conditions reviewed
- Subgrade compacted and leveled
- Moisture barrier included under slab
- Reinforcement type selected for use case
- Mix matched to finish and location
- Access points planned for pour and finish work
How Thick Should My Concrete Floor Be for Garage or Basement Use?
One of the first questions homeowners ask during a slab project is how thick the concrete needs to be. The answer depends on where it’s going and how it’s being used. A garage that holds daily vehicle traffic has very different needs than a finished basement with laminate flooring.
For most residential garage floors in Michigan, we recommend a minimum of 4 inches of concrete. In some cases, especially when heavier vehicles or equipment will be stored, we’ll go to 5 or even 6 inches. That extra depth adds load capacity and allows for more effective reinforcement.
Basement slabs are usually 4 inches thick. If the space will be finished with carpet, tile, or other flooring, we also consider foam insulation or a thermal break underneath to prevent cold floors and condensation. Homes in places like Kentwood or Forest Hills, where basements are being converted into year-round living spaces, benefit most from this added layer.
Drainage and slope are also part of the equation. In garages, we may add a slight pitch toward the door or drain to help manage snowmelt or water from vehicles. In basements, we aim for a perfectly level surface ready for flooring install.
Common questions
Yes, for most homes. We adjust thickness based on how the space is used and whether reinforcement will carry the expected load.
If you’re finishing the space for regular use, yes. Insulation helps keep the floor warmer and reduces the risk of surface moisture or mold.
Can You Pour Concrete Indoors Without Tearing Up Everything?
It’s a common concern, especially for homeowners living in the space during the project. If you’re redoing a basement floor in a home that’s already framed or partially finished, the last thing you want is a full-blown construction zone. The good news: interior concrete work can be done cleanly with the right prep and crew.
We’ve poured slabs in tight basements in Eastown, cleared out partial floors in Forest Hills, and handled garage slabs where access was limited to a side gate. Every site is different, but it’s possible to keep the disruption minimal if the plan is right from the start.
What we focus on:
- Protecting framing, utilities, and existing finishes
- Using compact equipment and tools suited for interior work
- Setting clear staging paths to keep dirt and debris contained
- Timing the pour and finish to reduce downtime or rework
If demo is involved—such as removing an old slab—we’ll cut, break, and haul out in sections to avoid damage to surrounding walls. This step makes the process a bit longer, but it’s necessary when the existing slab isn’t sound enough to pour over.
Garage floor replacements are typically faster and more straightforward. Once the old slab is out, we can regrade, reinforce, and pour the new one in a day or two, depending on finish and
When to Consider Full Removal
- The slab is holding moisture
- The surface is no longer level
- You need to run new plumbing or utilities underneath
REady to get started?
Will New Concrete Fix My Basement Moisture Problems?
This is one of the biggest misconceptions we see during basement floor projects. If your current slab is damp, musty, or showing signs of water damage, pouring new concrete on top won’t solve the issue unless the source of the moisture is addressed first.
Concrete is durable and dense, but it’s not a waterproofing system. Groundwater can still travel through soil, vapor barriers can fail if not installed correctly, and poor grading outside the home can funnel water straight back toward the foundation.
Before we pour any new basement floor, we assess the full site:
- Is there a working perimeter drain or sump system in place?
- Has the exterior grading been checked for proper slope?
- Are there signs of moisture coming through walls or joints?
- Was a vapor barrier included in the original slab?
If your basement is in a low-lying area like Wyoming or near the river plain in Grand Rapids, moisture control is even more critical. We’ve seen homes where water entered seasonally, and a slab was poured over without fixing the real issue. Within a year, the new floor was stained, damp, and starting to break down.
What we recommend:
We coordinate with basement waterproofing teams when needed, and we always include a proper vapor barrier and moisture-resistant mix in every basement slab we install. If needed, we’ll refer you to drainage contractors before we pour—so you’re not throwing good money after bad.
Common Questions:
No. That traps moisture inside, and it will rise through the new slab or damage it from below.
We use a dense, low-shrink mix with moisture additives, combined with a vapor barrier. But controlling the water outside the slab is step one.
Let’s get your garage on the schedule.
Best Time of Year to Pour a Garage or Basement Floor in Michigan
Timing matters more than most people think. While concrete can technically be poured any time of year, certain seasons make it easier to get a cleaner, more reliable finish—especially in Michigan where weather swings can hit hard and fast.
For most projects, spring and fall are the ideal windows. The temps are steady, moisture levels are manageable, and the curing process goes more smoothly. If you’re planning a garage floor, these seasons also reduce the risk of rain delays or extreme heat drying out the surface too fast.
Basement pours are a little more flexible since they’re indoors. We pour slabs all winter in homes across Kentwood and Byron Center, often while homeowners are prepping for finishing work or waterproofing upgrades. As long as the space is heated and protected, basement projects can run year-round.
What About Cold Weather?
Winter pours are possible. We use heated blankets, warm water mixes, and curing methods that allow concrete to set properly in the cold. That said, it takes more coordination and can limit finishing options.
Early spring can be tricky if the ground is still frozen or too soft from snowmelt. We always assess site conditions first and won’t recommend pouring if it could lead to settling or curing issues.
Common Questions:
Yes, with cold-weather techniques. But costs may increase slightly due to added prep and slower cure times.
Not necessarily. High summer temps can cause curing issues if not managed properly. Mild weather is ideal—but with the right prep, we can pour nearly any time of year.
Why Homeowners Trust Mitten for Slab Work in West Michigan
Pouring a basement or garage floor isn’t just about getting concrete in the ground—it’s about doing it right the first time. From Forest Hills to Grandville, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners walk into a finished space with confidence, knowing their slab was built to last.
We’re not just a flatwork crew—we’re your full-scope partner. That means real communication, proper site prep, and finishing details that match how the space will actually be used. Whether it’s a walkout basement you’re turning into a living area or a detached garage build on tight soil, we’ve seen it before and we’ll plan for it.
Here’s what you get when you work with Mitten Concrete:
- Local crews who understand Michigan soils and seasonal challenges
- Full walkthroughs before and after the job
- Honest recommendations and no upselling
- Moisture control, proper reinforcement, and site-specific slab specs
- Clean, professional finish work—broom, smooth, or epoxy-ready
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Garage And Basement Services
David
Founder and CEO of Mitten Concrete
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