Garage Floor Slabs
New and replacement concrete garage floors in Ottawa, with what the 2024 Building Code says about strength, thickness, base and drainage.
Only one published Ottawa price for a new garage floor, so we do not quote a range. Ask whether removal, base work and disposal are included.
Find a Concrete ProAbout Garage Floor Slabs
A garage floor is a floor-on-ground, and the 2024 Ontario Building Code has specific rules for it. The concrete must reach at least 32 MPa at 28 days with a water-to-cement ratio no higher than 0.45 (Div. B, 9.3.1.6. and 9.3.1.7.). A floor slab must be at least 75 mm thick (9.16.4.3.). The 100 mm granular layer the Code wants under other floors-on-ground need not be installed under garage slabs (9.16.2.1.), and fill that changes volume when it freezes must not be used under a floor that will freeze.
In an attached garage the floor must slope to drain liquids to the outdoors (9.35.2.2.), and a construction joint is required between the house slab and the garage slab (9.35.3.2.). A bond-breaking material goes between the slab and the footings. Adding dry cement to soak up surface water is not allowed (9.16.4.1.).
We found no City of Ottawa statement on whether replacing an existing garage floor needs a building permit; structural repairs do. If the slab carries the walls, it is designed under Part 4. Ask the City before the old floor comes out.
Coatings such as epoxy are a different job; this service is the slab itself. The City of Ottawa hardscaping contractor licence covers hard landscaping features such as concrete pads, steps, walkways and patios; we found no City statement that it covers a floor inside a garage, so ask whether it applies to your job.
What This Work Covers
- Breaking out and removing the old floor
- Base and fill to the contractor's spec (no frost-susceptible fill)
- A garage floor slab at least 75 mm thick, 32 MPa concrete
- Slope to drain to the outdoors in an attached garage
- Construction joint at the house slab
Popular For
What this work costs
Common questions about garage floor slabs
- My Stittsville garage floor slopes toward the house: what now?
- What concrete strength does Ontario's Code set for a garage floor?
- Sunken garage floor in Riverside South: who do I call?
- Who should break out an old garage floor in Gloucester?
- What is the strength rule for Ontario garage floors versus patios?
- How thick should a concrete front walk be in Kanata?
- Garage-to-house concrete step in an Ottawa home: Code rules?
- Concrete heaved under my Barrhaven back steps: repair options?
Other Concrete Services
Concrete Patios & Pads
New poured concrete patios, pads and shed bases on Ottawa properties: base, mix, finish and what the City and the 2024 Building Code say.
Concrete Walkways
Poured concrete front and side walkways in Ottawa, including the zoning width limit and the City rules where a walk meets the sidewalk.
Concrete Steps
Poured and precast concrete front steps and stoops in Ottawa, with the 2024 Building Code rules for footings, risers, handrails and guards.
Stamped Concrete
Stamped and coloured concrete patios, walkways and steps in Ottawa: published price envelope, sealing and the same Code standard as plain flatwork.
Exposed Aggregate
Exposed aggregate concrete patios, walks and steps in Ottawa: the published price range, the finish and the Code standard underneath.
Concrete Repair
Cracked, scaling, spalling or sunken concrete patios, walks and steps in Ottawa: what the symptom points to and when replacement is the answer.
Concrete Resurfacing
Resurfacing worn Ottawa patios, walks and steps with a bonded overlay, and when the slab underneath rules it out.
Ready to Get Started?
Tell us about your garage floor slabs job and we'll send it to local concrete contractors in Ottawa. They reply by email.