How to drain off winter snow melt?

[Garyl53]

Well I have been thinking about finishing my garage floor this spring with VCT but I am wondering how to handle the water from the snow melt off the cars in the winter. Yesterday morning there was a bit of snow on the cars and as expected it melted off into puddles on the concrete floor. The floor is pitched toward the garage door as most are however the garage door is acting as a damn so the water collects in a large puddle. When opening the door it is quite a mess dripping off of the door onto the cars. What have people done to control this a bit with or without finished garage floors? There are no floor drains in the garage and it looks like it would be difficult to add them after the fact. Is it possible to create drain holes under the garage door without letting in too much cold air? any suggestions appreciated.
Gary

 

[Garyl53]

I thought I would add that I always try to brush off the cars before putting them into the garage to minimize the water. I was thinking that perhaps the best way to handle this would be to cut or modify the seal at the bottom of the garage door to create a small outlet area for the water to flow. I am concerned about the VCT standing up to water sitting on it over night though since many times I wouldn't be able to sweep the water out until the next morning. Will the VCT withstand some water sittting on it without damage? Any opinions from those with VCT would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Mark-in-NH]

You could always use something like this mat that you park your car on. There may well be better ones then this, this is just the first one that popped up in a random search.

http://www.elite-xpressions.com/flooring_parksmart_cleanpark.htm

 

[nate379]

Cut slots in the slab under the door.

 

[Fish-man]

I bought some BLT mats this fall... it takes forever to dry the water from rain run-off, and I think snow/cold will make it worse. However, I didn't have much of a choice, since my concrete is disintegrating due to road salt... so I'll see what happens when the snow starts to fly.

 

[sledmods]

My situation is that my garage isn't pitched enough so water just pools and flows everywhere. I'd like to do VCT also but i don't know how it will hold up. Epoxy is probably my only solution right now. I may look into one of those parking mats.

 

[thelews]

Here's what I did. Cut a trench before the door, connected outside to the underground gutter drain system. Works well, but I have to run hot water down the drain when it really gets cold to keep the pipe to the gutter drain open.

 

[Garyl53]

Here's what I did. Cut a trench before the door, connected outside to the underground gutter drain system. Works well, but I have to run hot water down the drain when it really gets cold to keep the pipe to the gutter drain open.

Does the trench go all the way through the garage concrete floor or is it just a ground out area of concrete? Also was this installed when the garage was built or was it a retrofit? This would work really well for me since the pitch of the floor would drive the water into the drain.

 

[thelews]

Does the trench go all the way through the garage concrete floor or is it just a ground out area of concrete? Also was this installed when the garage was built or was it a retrofit? This would work really well for me since the pitch of the floor would drive the water into the drain.

It was a retrofit. We sawed out a channel about a foot wide and 6 or so in. deep and then set a plastic drain channel (most landscapers have them) in fresh concrete with some rebar. The drain exits the front of the garage via buried PVC and connects to the underground gutter drain system right around the corner. I did this before some brick work was done in front of the garage door and before the floor was shot blasted and epoxy slurried. Works well, but I have to keep the PVC drain tube from freezing. It's not buried 4 ft. going out of the garage.

This type of drain http://www.plastictrenchdrain.com/

 

[Bojans]

Since I have installed the ceiling fan in my garage the floor has always been dry by morning.

 

[Garyl53]

Since I have installed the ceiling fan in my garage the floor has always been dry by morning.

In winter with temps arround 30* to 40*?

 

[MNMuskie]

The water in my garage also pools at the threshold. "thelews" drain looks to be the ideal solution.

I'd love some type of drain, but for now I just use the trusted floor squeegee. It's sometimes a pain, but it works great. Like you, I try to kick or brush off as much ice and snow in my driveway. I usually let the cars thaw out for a while and then just crack the door and squeegee out the water. If I do this just before going to bed, it's usually bone dry by morning.

Since I have installed the ceiling fan in my garage the floor has always been dry by morning.

I'm not sure where you are from, but you may be underestimating the amount of snow and slush that comes into the garage in the northern climates. In fact, I'd be willing to bet I had about a gallon of water come from the ice buildup of just one wheel well after our last storm.

 

[35mastr]

Here's what I did. Cut a trench before the door, connected outside to the underground gutter drain system. Works well, but I have to run hot water down the drain when it really gets cold to keep the pipe to the gutter drain open.

This is you best bet. They also sell them in metal that are about 4 to 5 inches deep.

 

[Garyl53]

I have conlcluded that I need to have some drain mechanism before I do anything to the floor. I just don't see me taking the time to squeegee the floor every time. I like what"thelews" did although the way the floor is sloped I may only need a single drain (round) toward the door area near each car. Thanks for all the input.

 

[nate379]

The easy fix is just to cut some slots under the door.

I'm too lazy to get some pics but I just cut a 1/4" wide, 1" deep "trench" with my angle grinder that runs about 3" before the door to outside. I did it every 4-5 feet I believe.

It's not as effective as an actual drain like the pics on here show, but I wasn't ready to cut up my slab and figure out a way to drain it outside and not have it freeze when it's -20* outside. Not to mention I was worried about hitting the pex lines which I'm not exactly sure how deep they run or where they are.

 

[t. jones]

I just drilled a hole in a low spot near the door. It was just temporary 7 years ago, works good.
Thanx Trevor

 

[Garyl53]

The easy fix is just to cut some slots under the door.

I'm too lazy to get some pics but I just cut a 1/4" wide, 1" deep "trench" with my angle grinder that runs about 3" before the door to outside. I did it every 4-5 feet I believe.

It's not as effective as an actual drain like the pics on here show, but I wasn't ready to cut up my slab and figure out a way to drain it outside and not have it freeze when it's -20* outside. Not to mention I was worried about hitting the pex lines which I'm not exactly sure how deep they run or where they are.

Thanks Nate379, I think I will try your recommendation now so I can see how it works out. It will be a lot easier than adding an actual drain and if it works out it would be easy to just cut arround the slots when laying VCT. The slots could actually run under any threshold that is needed to protect the edge of the VCT.

 

[Treeman]

Wouldn't the slots freeze and back up during the winter, when you want them the most?

 

[t. jones]

Treeman yes it will especially if the door faces north ( south for our Austrailian friends)
Thanx Trevor

 

[Dodge]

I had the same problem with standing water in my garage from melting snow and rain water off vehicles. I had no floor drain. What I did was put in a drain. The low spot in the garage where the water would sit, I cut the concrete with a cement saw. I cut a square 3'X3'. Dug it down about 3'. Filled it with river rock. Bought a 9" catch basin at Menards. Placed it in the opening, before completely filled with rock of course. The one I bought had 2 holes on the side, I put a 90 degree elbow on each one, keeps the rocks out and lets the water flow out. Serves as kind of a sludge catcher. I kept the top of the basin slightly below grade for flow, finished off with sakrete. I still have to squeezee to the drain some. Better than opening the door and pushing the water to the driveway to freeze. Drain works great, have had it about 10 years, well worth it. Good Luck

 

[nate379]

The slab is warm enough to keep it from freezing for the most part. Yeah it's not perfect, but it's better than nothing and sure is alot easier than cutting up the slab.

Had I spec'd the garage, I would have put a drain before the door.. but you know how it is... woulda, shoulda, coulda... there is always something you'd like to do after the fact

Wouldn't the slots freeze and back up during the winter, when you want them the most?

Dodge that drain you have just drains to under the slab?? I would not think that it's a good idea to do that, but I guess it has been working for you??

 

[Dodge]

I considered that with a 3'X3'X3' hole filled with rock, that it would have to fill up to actually cause any problem with heaving under the slab. Also, when I was digging the hole, it was all sand, good for soaking up water. I do not wash in that garage, the drain is used just for run off. Actually, last year I helped my neighbor put one in his garage, he is real glad he did. It is just idea thought I would pass along.

 

[ManCave]

Has anyone seen some kind of containment system that would trap snow and water in the area where the car sat? If I could keep the snow melt from spreading all over the floor at the very least I could **** up the water with my shop vac. Right now, my entire floor has standing water.

I envision something like a long tube filled with sand that you could lay out in a "U" shape with the open end at the garage door.

Next summer I'll probably cut-in a trench drain. Too cold to do that now.

 

[Bojans]

I live in the Chicago area so we do deal with large snowfalls, just not as frequently as some more northern areas. I keep my garage heated to 50 and like I said, by morning it is dry with the exception of the area directly under the tires.

 

[ManCave]

I live in the Chicago area so we do deal with large snowfalls, just not as frequently as some more northern areas. I keep my garage heated to 50 and like I said, by morning it is dry with the exception of the area directly under the tires.

You have the same climate as us. I'm installing a heater in the garage within the next 2 weeks and will keep it at 60 degrees. I was envisioning that the additional snow melt from vehicles, caused by the heated garage, would make matters worse. Sounds like it may be just the opposite. Thanks for the info.

 

[Bojans]

You have the same climate as us. I'm installing a heater in the garage within the next 2 weeks and will keep it at 60 degrees. I was envisioning that the additional snow melt from vehicles, caused by the heated garage, would make matters worse. Sounds like it may be just the opposite. Thanks for the info.

Add a ceiling fan, my dad has a heated garage w/o a fan and the floor stays wet for a long time after a snow. The fan doesn't need to be running on high, just med speed to distribute the air.

 

[ManCave]

Add a ceiling fan, my dad has a heated garage w/o a fan and the floor stays wet for a long time after a snow. The fan doesn't need to be running on high, just med speed to distribute the air.

I can see where that would help. But....ah....man....I get enough **** about my garage already. The garage has a textured ceiling, two hanging chandeliers and a flowered wall paper border. I kid you not.

If you're done laughing now, I'd like to point out it was that way when I bought the house.

 

[ManCave]

Add a ceiling fan, my dad has a heated garage w/o a fan and the floor stays wet for a long time after a snow. The fan doesn't need to be running on high, just med speed to distribute the air.

I can see where that would help. But....ah....man....I get enough **** about my garage already. The garage has a textured ceiling, two hanging chandeliers and a flowered wall paper border. I kid you not.

If you're done laughing now, I'd like to point out it was that way when I bought the house.

 

[nate379]

Throw a box fan in the corner going across the floor.

My Dad's shop has a flat floor with no drain. All he does is put a fan near the woodstove and it will dry out the floor overnight.

 

[viper86]

Has anyone seen some kind of containment system that would trap snow and water in the area where the car sat? If I could keep the snow melt from spreading all over the floor at the very least I could **** up the water with my shop vac. Right now, my entire floor has standing water.

I envision something like a long tube filled with sand that you could lay out in a "U" shape with the open end at the garage door.

Next summer I'll probably cut-in a trench drain. Too cold to do that now.

this is the idea I was thinking as well, but I haven't had time to look into it. I'm almost ready to just throw sandbags down...

 

[clydesdale]

Dodge, what kind of piping and where did it run from your basin? Does it tie into an existing drain system?

 

[Dodge]

I do not have any piping in my drain. I just placed the catch basin in the rocks slightly below grade for flow. The catch basin is a 9" square box, with a grate on top, a 2" exit hole on 2 sides, which I put a 90 degree elbow on to keep the rocks from coming into the basin. The water just flows from the catch basin thru the rock bed. The grate on top comes off for cleaning out sludge, if need be.

 

[51rider]

Ok we don't get snow as bad ay you guys over here in Blighty, but my solution to water pooling, was to get hold of rubber backed entrance matting, you can usually find it at the entrance to most stores emblazoned with their logo.

Park your vehicle on it & let the rain, snow, ice do it's worst. My old garage was heated via a radiator connected into the main house heating and the mat would be dry in the morning.
If you have underfloor/slab heating then this would be a no-no.

Once the mat gets dirty, you can clean it the same way as normal carpet. As a bonus, in the summer it keeps you insulated from the cold of the floor when having to get down & dirty.

I only used it for my motorcycles, but you can buy larger sizes. Several butted together should be sufficient for most cars.

 

[R1chy]

Has anyone seen some kind of containment system that would trap snow and water in the area where the car sat? If I could keep the snow melt from spreading all over the floor at the very least I could **** up the water with my shop vac. Right now, my entire floor has standing water.

I envision something like a long tube filled with sand that you could lay out in a "U" shape with the open end at the garage door.

Next summer I'll probably cut-in a trench drain. Too cold to do that now.

They sell large, whole car, mats with a lip on the edge that might do the same thing for you. But from what I've seen they appear open at one end (presumably at the end closest to the door). Through a google search I found the following, but you might want to search for others to compare with what you need -->http://www.stacksandstacks.com/drymate-garage-floor-mat?id=176&sku=118283&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase

R1chy

 

[AlphaGarage]

I can see where that would help. But....ah....man....I get enough **** about my garage already. The garage has a textured ceiling, two hanging chandeliers and a flowered wall paper border. I kid you not.

If you're done laughing now, I'd like to point out it was that way when I bought the house.

You can't just come here and post something that unbelievable without support pictures!

 

[tcianci]

I got the hot setup for the runoff problem. I put my project truck in the garage 11 years ago, and convinced my wife that no one really puts their car in a garage during the winter. So far my floor has stayed nice and dry.

 

[twangin6]

I am having a snow melt/standing water problem too. Too much moist air condenses on the window and runs down to bottom of the doors and freezes the door gasket to the slab. I broom it out the door and freezes on the driveway...bad. I **** it up with the shop vac...big pain I dumped 20 gallons today!

I cut hole where it puddles the most. I was thinking I could cut a hole in the wall footing in the back of the garage where it is exposed and work a piece of pipe to my hole in the floor. What do you think?

 

[twangin6]

I got the hot setup for the runoff problem. I put my project truck in the garage 11 years ago, and convinced my wife that no one really puts their car in a garage during the winter. So far my floor has stayed nice and dry.

i did that about 15 years ago. It only lasted a year.

 

[rshadd]

I just crack the garage door a bit, then use the leaf blower and floor squegee to push the water out. My floor is epoxy and it's slooped towards the garage door. I try not go out in the snow if I can help it.

 

[jjsound]

I considered that with a 3'X3'X3' hole filled with rock, that it would have to fill up to actually cause any problem with heaving under the slab. Also, when I was digging the hole, it was all sand, good for soaking up water. I do not wash in that garage, the drain is used just for run off. Actually, last year I helped my neighbor put one in his garage, he is real glad he did. It is just idea thought I would pass along.

with the exception of the stone displacement, that's like 22 gallons...