Garage floor slope

[AKADriver]

As I mentioned in my introduction some time ago, I'm converting my carport into an enclosed garage. It's already enclosed on three sides and basically, to become a functional garage, would only 'need' some minimal framing on the overhead door side, and then hanging the doors.

However I may have run into a code snag. The Virginia code (taken straight from the IRC, section R309.3, so this is probably the same nationwide) states:

"The area of floor used for parking of automobiles or other vehicles shall be sloped to facilitate the movement of liquids to drain or toward the main vehicle entry doorway."

Currently the slab is very, very level. It's actually a really nicely done slab.. smooth and flat as glass. But level, except for the last four feet facing what would be the door, which is sloped at about 1/4-1/2" per foot.

So I guess my question is:
- Would an inspector allow the present configuration? I sent an e-mail to the local supervisor of residential inspections and she reiterated the code as written, only adding "it is my opinion that any area not used for vehicles, such as a workshop, etc., could be level." But I doubt it would be as simple as declaring the entire garage "workshop" space, considering it'd have an overhead door.
- The code doesn't actually define what slope to use. I assume zero is not what they intended, though.
- What could I do to correct this short of tearing the whole thing down?

 

[danfromsyr]

This sounds like enough for me.

except for the last four feet facing what would be the door, which is sloped at about 1/4-1/2" per foot

clean, etch and frame for a very thin "wedge" of tinset/concrete to sit ontop of your existing pad.
if you only want it for the initial approval/inspection paint the original floor so that you can peel off your approved floor. it'll be thin enough to chip up in large pieces.
if you are hoping to keep it there a variety of hopeful ways to help it grab & bond the lower layer. and use fiberglass mixed in to strenghtnen it.

don't tell them the slope is a facade.

just my $.02
but what do I know, I'd have just slapped a door on and never asked..

 

[NCCheesehead]

I am a contractor here in NC but VA is another ballpark all together. Just an FYI the IRC code is the baseline for many state building codes. States take the IRC and modify to fit local conditions.

Here in NC the work you are detailing would not require any type of permit or inspection. NC only requires permits on single family to alter: structural loads, electrical, HVAC, plumbing or anything over $5000. Either way I do not believe a building inspector would too concerned with the slop of your slab on a retrofit situation.

On a side note I had the same discussion with an inspectoras the code does not give a percentage of slope. My client wanted it to be as flat as possible as we ended up 2%, just enough to "shed water".

 

[NCCheesehead]

But level, except for the last four feet facing what would be the door, which is sloped at about 1/4-1/2" per foot.

I missed this the first time, you should be fine. My inspector "suggested" 8-10 feet into garage but there again NC does not spell out details.

 

[AKADriver]

Hmm, that's encouraging.

Virginia (at least Fairfax County) does require permit and inspection though they don't require explicit plans. Basically you just say "I agree to enclose my carport according to the Typical Carport Enclosure Details" on the permit application. That document basically just distills the building codes to a few simple rules. Gotta add outlets, block off the basement window, make sure the door going into the house is fire-rated, that sort of thing.

I would just hang a door and forget about it but I live in the suburbs, too many prying eyes!

 

[stingry]

local supervisor of residential inspections and she reiterated the code as written, only adding "it is my opinion that any area not used for vehicles, such as a workshop, etc., could be level."

Sounds like to me that she is hinting on a way to do what you want and still satisfy code

 

[isaac338]

Why don't you just call it a workshop and be done with it? Is there some kind of rule prohibiting a full sized overhead door in a workshop?

Plenty of woodworking shops have overhead doors and they never see cars.

 

[Ign]

Why don't you just call it a workshop and be done with it? Is there some kind of rule prohibiting a full sized overhead door in a workshop?

Plenty of woodworking shops have overhead doors and they never see cars.

Yeah, I'd try this route. Or talk to local fab shops and see what they did. A sloped floor in a fab shop (yes, including automotive fab) is the kiss of death. Will give you fits, headaches and nightmares as long as you work on there.

If you have a slab that was poured level count your blessings and fight in every way to keep it.

You might even be able to point out to the inspectors that you plan to do suspension, roll-cage, etc work on your vehicles and you NEED a level floor. See what their reply is. Be sure to specifiy it's YOUR vehicles for hobby use or they'll probably hear commercial use and try to deny a permit based on that.

 

[KGarage75]

Site was hung up. Not sure why his posted here...Disregard.

 

[rsa]

Apply for a variance to keep your level floor? Offer to use a short stem wall around the perimeter?

 

[bad_idea]

I further agree that the inspector was giving you an easy out. I would KILL (well, maybe mildly injure) for a level floor. I had to fit my workbench piece by piece in place to make it level to my sloped floor. I reiterate that many work shops have a roll up door. How else would you get large projects in and out.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

The floor slope would probably never had been checked if you hadn't made an issue out of the question.

 

[RTJ49]

Hi Driver,
Across the creek in PG county Maryland, the code wants one quater inch per foot! My inspector let me slide with one eigth inch per foot. In my garage, that's just about eight inches of drop in sixty foot! Looked real bad when building. Not bad after everything is done. Flat would be alright. But I sure like the slope when cleaning/washing any mess.
RTJ49