Maximum Slope?

[omowright]

Should garage floors be really flat and level? I've read here in GJ of floors with slopes for draining off fluids during cleaning etc.

What woud be the maximum suggested (safe) gradient for this, so that cars on lifts, support stands etc. don't begin to slide off? Would it be better to have the slant longitudinal to the lifts or transverse?

Thanks guys, a novice still planning his garage (16' X 55').

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

One of my previous posts-

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5832111&postcount=5

 

[Onewolf]

1" drop per 8 ft seems to be common.

 

[Falcon67]

For me personally, if I could have a floor flat in all directions with less than 1/8" variance I'd be pretty happy.

 

[Smoker]

Mine is totally flat. Last thing I need is stuff randomly rolling away on me. I also had it power trowelled really smooth and the control joints saw cut while the concrete was green and sikaflexed them. Its a billiard table in there, if I want to clean up, a large squeegee works just fine to move the water to the door.

 

[Cyberbear]

If you are only going to use the space for parking, then slope it, otherwise, a flat floor surface is best.

 

[maxpower_hd]

1/8" per foot is pretty standard. That is what mine is and nothing really moves except things like ball bearings or marbles. Jacks stay put.

 

[Trey T]

There's not a really good reason to slope your garage floor because primarily, it's design to store car, cabinet, or table. Therefore, draining fluid is at the bottom of the design criteria. Sure it's a good idea but having a flat floor is more beneficial to store stuff than draining fluid (aka runoff).

If you design your garage to be a wash bay, then it make sense to consider the slope as the primary design criteria.

 

[larry_g]

Mine is totally flat. Last thing I need is stuff randomly rolling away on me.

Don't confuse flat with level. My walls are flat...

Slope on a floor is sometimes dictated by the AHJ and sometimes no. For me (and Smoker) we want flat and level so that it is a good work surface if need be. So the decision is yours but it sounds to me like your building a workshop where flat and level works better.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[hh76]

There's not a really good reason to slope your garage floor because primarily, it's design to store car, cabinet, or table. Therefore, draining fluid is at the bottom of the design criteria. Sure it's a good idea but having a flat floor is more beneficial to store stuff than draining fluid (aka runoff).

If you design your garage to be a wash bay, then it make sense to consider the slope as the primary design criteria.

snow melt in the winter is a good reason. You don't want puddles of salty water hanging out on a smooth floor.

I think 1/4" per ft is typical

 

[pattenp]

If used for parking vehicles the building code here in Virginia requires the floor to be sloped.

 

[BadDriver_GoodCar]

Should garage floors be really flat and level? I've read here in GJ of floors with slopes for draining off fluids during cleaning etc.

What woud be the maximum suggested (safe) gradient for this, so that cars on lifts, support stands etc. don't begin to slide off? Would it be better to have the slant longitudinal to the lifts or transverse?

Thanks guys, a novice still planning his garage (16' X 55').

I've been reading about installing a car lift, a so-called portable one, not a big two-post honker and I've seen that anything more than a 3 degree lateral slope is a no-no.

Took me a minute to dig up where I found it:
https://www.quickjack.com/explore/frequently-asked-questions.html

 

[rburke65]

I'll take my level floor any day over one with a slope.

 

[BadDriver_GoodCar]

I'll take my level floor any day over one with a slope.

Hard to see sloped floor as anything but sloppy design, imo... or sinking foundation!!!

 

[oldironfarmer]

I like my car or tractor to stay where I push it, without worrying about a slope. But it is not a "drive in and park" garage in an area that gets lots of ice and snow.

A level floor also assists in layout and fitting for fabrication with a level.

 

[MrBalll]

I have 2 degree slope and wish I would have just gone level.
Would be much easier to clean up a small puddle of fluid then a three foot run of fluid.

 

[nitro3421]

I went with a 1" drop in 24' and am very happy with it. No noticeable slope but enough to get the water out on its own. I also have a car lift and have no issues.

 

[sublimate]

Don't confuse flat with level. My walls are flat...

When you're flat on your back are you standing up?

 

[03ranger]

Check with the building department. In the county that I live in all garage floors are required to have a slope. My two car garage has 1/8” per foot slope (standard) and my workshop/garage has a slope of ½” per 26 feet.

 

[smalltown]

No codes here, but I had my floor sloped toward two in floor drains

 

[nadogail]

Working with a sloped garage floor, I had to add adjusting feet to the workbench for leveling.

The cabinets and refrigerator that stand on the floor sit on a sheet of of plywood under them that has been shimmed to provide a level platform.