Floor drain or not?

[nemise]

Building a 26x32 garage. I thought of a drain before the walls were poured but didn't really have much time to research it, but apparently my town is okay with it.

The slab is not poured yet though, so I guess all I'm really set back is that I'd have to core a hole through my new foundation. Question is, is it worth it, or do I just have them slope it to the doors? I'm mostly worried about rain/snow dropping from the cars and pooling in the garage, although it might be nice to have the option of washing my car inside too.

My idea was to run a 2" drain from the center of the garage out the back of the foundation to a 5 gallon bucket filled with crushed stone placed in a hole with crushed stone at the bottom of the hole and bury it. Some of my concerns:

• The slab is on grade. If we got a lot of rain and the water table rose, would I ever have to worry about water in the garage through the drain? If this did happen, could I just fill the drain with cement?
• Will this be creating a way for cold air to enter my garage?

I'm sure there's stuff I'm missing. Thoughts?

 

[Chris_H]

If you have to have an inspection, make sure you are playing whatever your local rules are. I built a garage in Milwaukee and I would have had to tie into the city sewage system.

 

[Angelfire]

I opted to keep my floor level and no drain. Of course, it never rains here and only the odd snow shower so really no reason for one. For those in a wetter clime, I would think it would be handy.

 

[sirswank]

slight slope and edge drain?

 

[jd_77]

I have a drain in my 2 car side of my garage. It is a 4" drain in the middle and since I am in the country I have it draining to my ditch. In a year or two I am going to add a trench style drain to my 3rd car side and have it connected to the other drain. I like the drain because of winter salt on my garage floor, I can wash it off and have the water go down the drain

 

[bstein]

Run a trench drain full width ... mine I put in the center and really find there is no good place as it seams no matter where you park you have to walk thru the mess to get into your car. In front of garage door I pondered, but when washing down the salt would be allover the door. Also with car lifts I thought the center would be best. In winter its a Saturday deal to wash down and foam squeege the shop. Our drain is tied into the house system.
Good luck

 

[macgyver37]

I think it greatly depends on what you intend to do in the garage. If it is just for daily driver in/out and clean up after, then a floor drain is great. If you are going to be using it as a working garage where you are going to be running a jack, jackstands and creeper around it consistently then I would opt out on the floor drain. Nothing like working under a vehicle while you are rolling down the slope constantly, gets old in a hurry.
My shop I have now has a few floor drains in it and they are handy but thankfully I have enough room to work around them and the floor honestly doesn't slope really at all towards the drains, so it is not a big deal. I have to squegee the water to the drains to get it down it.
A buddy of mine wants one in his garage and I keep telling him not to worry about it.

 

[nemise]

Garage will be just mainly daily driver in/out. My main concern is with water buildup from rain/snow. I'd rather do some extra work now than have to pull in the driveway, get out in the snow, brush off the car as much as I can, get back in, dirty my car, then pull into the garage. Kind of defeats the purpose of being able to pull right in out of the bad weather.

There will be no lifts, just a regular 2 car garage.

Just trying to decide if I am better off putting it in the middle and having everything slope to it, or do without it, having everything slope to the doors, and just pop the doors open to let the water out. Is there an advantage to no drain? How about the questions I asked above about possible water backup into the drain, or letting cold air into the garage?

 

[Bondo]

How about the questions I asked above about possible water backup into the drain, or letting cold air into the garage?

Ayuh,.... Drain, or Not, when the local water level get's up to yer garage floor, it's gonna flood,.....

Cold air would be minimal, but you could always put a trap in it to stop all air movement,....

 

[jd_77]

for your application I would do a trench drain along the inside of the door and have the floor sloped to the door like they usually do. Also if you do put a drain it do a trap. I have one and it works perfect. No water back ups, keeps air drafts out, and keeps the animals out. I would not worry about the water back up if you get the drain pipe exiting to a location were flooding would not be an issue.

 

[nemise]

So for a trench drain at the door, where does the water go? Just evaporates over time? How deep do you make it? Problems will smell?

 

[jd_77]

A trench drain is pitched to one side and you run a drain pipe outside of the garage. No standing water at all. You will need to clean it out every so often like any other garage drain.

If you are having a contractor pouring the slab, they can pick out the correct one you need and get it install and plumbed before you get the concrete poured.

 

[Speedy!]

This is something my contractor asked if I wanted so I'm glad I came across this post. I was considering putting one in the dead center of the garage mainly so I could wash a car in it if I needed to. However, I live in the mid south and we don't get a lot of cold days or snow so I could technically still just wash the car outside. I have hot water at the hose so not a huge deal. If it's a low cost option I'll likely put one in just so I have options. My garage will strictly be a shop with parking secondary.

 

[Chris05gto]

I have 2 floor drains that allows me to wash my cars in a climate controlled garage. I vote yes!

 

[BTC]

I have two center drains in my three car garage. It's nice for snow melt and I could wash the cars if necessary. The slope on my floor seems hardly noticeable and hasn't interfered with any of my activities. I have no experience to advocate one type of drain vs another, but I can say I'm glad I have drains in the garage.

 

[BonzoHansen]

If you have to have an inspection, make sure you are playing whatever your local rules are. I built a garage in Milwaukee and I would have had to tie into the city sewage system.

This. Check local code first

 

[Bricen18]

Any product or brand recommendations on using something other than a standard drain like this. Maybe something a little more clean.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NUTTSGT]

The issue I'd be afraid of with sloping it to the doors is the possiblity of the door gasket freezing to the floor. If the garage is for parking, I'd prefer to have a center drain or trench drain inside if it's allowed.

When I poured the new floor in my garage (work garage) I deleted the floor drain as I wanted no slope or drain in the floor.

 

[BeachBoy]

Slope to door and put a trench along the door right inside.

 

[fnieto]

Shop floor drains in our area require a ton of extra "hoops". They want to prevent solvents and other chemicals from contaminating the ground water etc.

 

[BD1]

If you decide on floor drain, 4'' is the smallest. That what I did and NO TRAP either unless it is heated or you are in a warmer climate. If you go with a trench drain go BIG. They could fill up with anything.

 

[GreenScrew]

Is a floor drain like this difficult to do as a "remodel" to an existing garage?

I've got drainage issues (driveway slopes to the garage) and need to install one in the front of the garage and wondered about putting one on the inside of the garage mainly for winter use. I currently have a small floor drain in the middle and it seems to be on the high point of the garage - its as if the foundation perimeter settled since it was built making it almost useless. Wondering if the trench drain is a DYI project?

 

[Bondo]

Is a floor drain like this difficult to do as a "remodel" to an existing garage?

I've got drainage issues (driveway slopes to the garage) and need to install one in the front of the garage and wondered about putting one on the inside of the garage mainly for winter use. I currently have a small floor drain in the middle and it seems to be on the high point of the garage - its as if the foundation perimeter settled since it was built making it almost useless. Wondering if the trench drain is a DYI project?

Ayuh,... It depends on how Handy you are,......

I'd recommend ya put the drain Outside, along the doorway,...
'bout the same work, 'n it Belongs outside, if yer fightin' driveway water,...