Floor Drains

[Rokjhn]

In the planning stages for a 40x60x14 building and am considering putting in a floor drain in the foundation. Anybody have any suggestions as to type of drain and output configuration?

John

 

[matt_i]

Biggest single issue is what your locality requires as far as the output.

I would make sure to reinforce around any drains you put in the center of a floor. There are 4 internal corners there which are prone to cracks.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Where do you intend to have the drain lead to ? sanitary sewer, septic or to daylight ?

 

[HoosierMark]

Drain placement in my opinion is key. Layout how you plan to use the bldg and where the water will come from. I put drains under my cars here in IN as the snow melts off and the water runs to the center under the car. Last garage, the drain was in between two cars and you walked over the grit and wet area. I personally would like a long trough for a drain in a shop, just sweep all the grit up and let the water drain away. Sure some grit will get in but it will still let the water pass by. I have an 8 inch round now that the grit plugs the edges and I need to clean it often. I think the trough would allow more time between cleaning.

 

[joes169]

The first thing you need to do is figure out how big of an area you want to be pitched to the drain, and then work from there. For square(ish) areas, single round drains work fine. For rectangluar areas, trench drains tend to work best, as the distance in every direction can be pitched at minimal pitch. As mentioned, you'll have to check what code requirements are as well.

HERE, in my shop, the building inspector (also a lifelong plumber) wanted my trench drain attached to a 24" diameter catch basin to allow settlement of any sand/gravel/etc.... in the line. I needed about 16" of capacity below the outlet pipe IIRC, which made the catch basin about 36" deep. That catch basin is alos used as a large additional drain on the other end of the shop.

 

[Rokjhn]

Where do you intend to have the drain lead to ? sanitary sewer, septic or to daylight ?

I'm outside of city limits with private septic system and am thinking I can just run it to daylight and\or into a french drain out the back of the building. Will need to check with my plumber friend to see what the code says I guess.

 

[Rokjhn]

Drain placement in my opinion is key. Layout how you plan to use the bldg and where the water will come from. I put drains under my cars here in IN as the snow melts off and the water runs to the center under the car. Last garage, the drain was in between two cars and you walked over the grit and wet area. I personally would like a long trough for a drain in a shop, just sweep all the grit up and let the water drain away. Sure some grit will get in but it will still let the water pass by. I have an 8 inch round now that the grit plugs the edges and I need to clean it often. I think the trough would allow more time between cleaning.

Good advice, however we don't get much snow melt off vehicles here in the Gulf Coast. I really just want to be able to rinse my home brew kettles, wash the occasional car, and be able to hose down the garage occasionally.

 

[boomer12831]

I was told by a building inspector that the 2 things that are problems with drains are pollution and flammable fumes that can get in them and be a fire hazard. I know they are very strict around here with drains,Ed

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you can run them to daylight, that's where I would take them. If you have any issues, it's alot easier to get them cleared. Just make sure to do something at the end to prevent anything from crawling up inside the tile.

 

[JOHN 86GT]

Long trench drain is good if going to daylight because it will collect a lot of dirt and will be easy to keep flushed out

A round drain will have a screen and will have to be cleaned out more often due to size .

I have a round in center and it go's to septic (not best idea ) and traps a lot of dirt and sand from winter.