floor drains

[jsmith6752]

planning for floor drains......even though I may never need them I have decided to install 2 floor drains in my 44 x 30 garage. What would be a reasonable size pipe to run under the slab? Also, can I tie them together or run as 2 singles?

 

[dlewis]

Most places don't allow floor drains in garages anymore,if your getting it inspected best to check before you put them in.

 

[Jeffksf]

4" PVC should be plenty and you could tie them in together. Floor drains are always a good idea.

 

[willymakeit]

Dont forget traps and clean outs. Use mineral oil in traps to keep wayer from evaporating.

 

[kb2tha]

I used 3" pipe on a single drain. Are you using these for washing vehicles or snow melt or ??? Can't see how you could overload two drains even hooked to a 3" setup. (Unless you are running a car wash).

 

[trbomax]

4" is the only way and DO NOT put traps in them. Once they get clogged with dirt or debris, you will never get them to work correctly again. If you are not useing trench drains,put a minimum 5 gal crock under the drain to catch the junk. In mi. you cannot put a floor drain in a shop or garage unless the drain field is contained within the footing/ratwall. I ran my trench drains into a 55 gal crock,set up with a baffel for oil,then laid a drain field under the slab in the 15x 72 area that I do not drive on because its the "clean room and machine shop" part. The crock and the 2 - 72' passes of drainfield tile are all set in drain rock which was then compacted and covered with plastic ,sand,and foam prior to the pour.
In my old shop I had traps,one day I go out in the shop and my 3 yr old son is dropping sockets in the drain and listening to the splash! That drain never did work after that.

edit) I have another 12" drain directly above the crock that serves as both a cleanout and a floor drain for my "clean room".Any muck can be pumped out of the crock, thru the 12"dia pipe,but after a year,there is no measurable sludge in it,just water.

 

[willymakeit]

If you are connecting to the sewer system you will want traps to avoid sewer gas.

 

[tc2000]

I used 3" pipe on a single drain. Are you using these for washing vehicles or snow melt or ??? Can't see how you could overload two drains even hooked to a 3" setup. (Unless you are running a car wash).

Or heavy machinery like the John Deere tractor pictured above. I did 3" to collect winter snow/salt/sand. Never any mud. I put a trap in, down in my basement where I can clean it out if I ever need to.

 

[jsmith6752]

I am sorry but I laughed out loud on the sockets comment. I doubt these drains will ever see water. The best chance would be from snow melt. I appreciate every ones thoughts.

 

[chevelle64]

4" is the only way and DO NOT put traps in them. Once they get clogged with dirt or debris, you will never get them to work correctly again. If you are not useing trench drains,put a minimum 5 gal crock under the drain to catch the junk. In mi. you cannot put a floor drain in a shop or garage unless the drain field is contained within the footing/ratwall. I ran my trench drains into a 55 gal crock,set up with a baffel for oil,then laid a drain field under the slab in the 15x 72 area that I cannot drive on. The crock and the 2 - 72' passes of drainfield tile are all set in drain rock which was then compacted and covered with plastic ,sand,and foam prior to the pour.
In my old shop I had traps,one day I go out in the shop and my 3 yr old son is dropping sockets in the drain and listening to the splash! That drain never did work after that.

edit) I have another 12" drain directly above the crock that serves as both a cleanout and a floor drain for my "clean room".Any muck can be pumped out of the crock, thru the 12"dia pipe,but after a year,there is no measurable sludge in it,just water.

I did my trench floor drains with 3" and tied them together. I'm in Michigan and I got approval to run the drain pipe outside through the footing and into a 55 gallon drum, for a dry well. I didn't put in traps, cleanouts or baffles. I hear a lot of people say that you can't put in floor drains, but it depends on your area. The county drain commission where I live, said no to the drains, but also said the township building inspector has the final say. Since the plumbing inspector approved my plans, the township inspector said yes. Who am I to argue? Mine are just inside the overhead doors and they are only for water, from rain and melted snow. No car washing or anything else. Good luck.

 

[trbomax]

I did my trench floor drains with 3" and tied them together. I'm in Michigan and I got approval to run the drain pipe outside through the footing and into a 55 gallon drum, for a dry well. I didn't put in traps, cleanouts or baffles. I hear a lot of people say that you can't put in floor drains, but it depends on your area. The county drain commission where I live, said no to the drains, but also said the township building inspector has the final say. Since the plumbing inspector approved my plans, the township inspector said yes. Who am I to argue? Mine are just inside the overhead doors and they are only for water, from rain and melted snow. No car washing or anything else. Good luck.

I'm glad you got it through,but I have 2 friends that are excavator/contracter,they do this for a liveing,and they both say "no way"

Re post #7,I dont know anywhere they would let you connect a garage floor drain into a sanitaryor septic system,something about oil???


I could have done anything I wanted,where I live there isnt anyone to know about it anyway,and my building is classified as ag,so its not inspected or does it require permits,but EVERYTHING I do either meets or exceeds code requirements,because sooner or later it may have to.