Going to pour garage floor soon....need advice!!

[up4speed]

I am eventually getting a 4 post lift for my garage. The instructions say that you should not install it in a grade more than 3 degrees. I'm not sure what 3 degrees looks like, but with my limited geometry, I came up with .6 inches per foot. I'm not sure if it is correct, but if it is, I should be well within the limits. I think the standard rise for a garage floor is 1/4" per foot, but I'm not sure. The question is:
- Should I leave it perfectly level, or should I let them slope it the standard amount to allow for runoff?
- Should I do minimal slope like 1/8" per foot (instead of the standard)?
- Does it look like I did my math correct on the 3 degree rise?
Thanks in advance!!,
Chris

 

[boiler7904]

I am eventually getting a 4 post lift for my garage. The instructions say that you should not install it in a grade more than 3 degrees. I'm not sure what 3 degrees looks like, but with my limited geometry, I came up with .6 inches per foot. I'm not sure if it is correct, but if it is, I should be well within the limits. I think the standard rise for a garage floor is 1/4" per foot, but I'm not sure. The question is:
- Should I leave it perfectly level, or should I let them slope it the standard amount to allow for runoff?
- Should I do minimal slope like 1/8" per foot (instead of the standard)?
- Does it look like I did my math correct on the 3 degree rise?
Thanks in advance!!,
Chris

It's too late to do trig to figure a floor pitch so I drew a 3 degree line in AutoCAD and came up with a pitch of .6289" per foot which is right at 5/8" per foot and entirely too much for any kind of garage floor. When our office (architectural firm) designs a garage floor, we ususally spec a pitch of about 1/4" per foot. Unless you have floor drains, I would pitch the slab at about 1/8" to 1/4" per foot to the overhead door(s) to allow water to flow and be swept out.

 

[The Money Pit]

My county won't let us do any less than 1/8" per foot. My finisher sort of rushed through it and now I have some flat spots instead of it running off.

 

[Morrisman]

I am eventually getting a 4 post lift for my garage. The instructions say that you should not install it in a grade more than 3 degrees. I'm not sure what 3 degrees looks like, but with my limited geometry, I came up with .6 inches per foot. I'm not sure if it is correct, but if it is, I should be well within the limits. I think the standard rise for a garage floor is 1/4" per foot, but I'm not sure. The question is:
- Should I leave it perfectly level, or should I let them slope it the standard amount to allow for runoff?
- Should I do minimal slope like 1/8" per foot (instead of the standard)?
- Does it look like I did my math correct on the 3 degree rise?
Thanks in advance!!,
Chris

I'd be inclined (see what I did ) to try and keep the floor as flat as possible, rather than have any angle to it. I don't see why you have to have 'runoff' in a private garage. I shall be pouring mine soon, and I'm doing my best to keep it flat and level, as I want to be able to fabricate off the floor, and the closer to level it is the better.

 

[ersatzs2]

If it is more shop than garage I'd also argue for making if flat. I got some flack from my contractor and architect who said code required a pitch. I spoke with the building official who basically told me it's an antiquated requirement, marginally appropriate for an attached garage (where spilled fluids theoretically run away from the living area) and irrelevant in a detached garage. He wasn't going to put it in writing but basically signaled he wouldn't make an issue of it. You really want a flat floor for a workshop IMHO. Otherwise things are rolling away. I bought a heavy duty 36" squeegee broom at home depot for $25, figuring that'll be the way I wash the floor...

 

[rworkman98]

The standard 1/4" pitch is pretty mild, and should work for most things. I have a lift and a workshop in my garage, and haven't noticed any problems because of the pitch. It's not noticable at all, unless I'm washing my car, and then you can see the water very slowly running toward the front of the garage.

 

[URY914]

IMHO, I would go flat. It doesn't rain inside your shop and any spills you will clean up before it can run out the door, so why pitch it.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Go flat. Then you will never have to worry about whether you can do something or not because it has some slope. Few people hose out a place like this, usually sweep it. You could wet mop it if needed, or hose and squeege it if needed also.

Charles

 

[cloper91]

When installing a 4-post lift it will have to be shimmed so that everything is perfectly level. So the more floor slope you have the more shimming will need to be done.