New small garage - floor pit opinions

[Nashty]

Due to circumstances, I'm building a smallish garage. Can't be too high or it will look weird next to the existing home. So a lift isn't an option.

I understand the risks of having a service pit but am considering one anyway. Very handy and cheap when building from scratch.

I'm looking on opinions for width and depth of the pit. I'll install a small drain in the bottom with a bucket, then I'll clean it periodically. Water isn't an issue due to the location of it (on top of hill essentially). But I'll properly waterproof and seal it all.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Roger

 

[Kaizen]

Not allowed here. Might want to check with your code enforcement


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[kaymccampbell]

I've got 8' ceilings in my shop and a mid rise Atlas lift. It's much better than having a pit.

 

[ford33]

OP it would help if yo put your location in your profile.

You should rethink a pit. It takes up lots of room on the floor because you need to access it when a vehicle is over it. Plus climbing out of and into a 6 foot deep pit to get the 10 mm socket you left on the workbench is going to get old very fast. Plus as others have said it may be against code for multiple safety reasons.

 

[matt_i]

I agree that permitting (building dept) has the first and ultimate say. Then you need some sort of a grate or plate system that's up to the loads. I would think it would get tiring pulling that up and down.

I think its going to need constant cleaning as its going to be the lowest collection point for fluids and dirt/dust.

 

[MrBalll]

I'd avoid a pit. I'd much rather wiggle around on my back with a jack and jack stands.
Or like suggested get a mid rise lift.

If you're dead set on a pit then for the width just make sure you can fit whatever car you want over it without riding the safety rail when pulling in. Height is based fully off of you. If you're six foot tall then maybe do it 5'8 deep. Or go six foot with a stool to step on when needing to reach high up. It's all what makes you feel comfortable, we can only suggest things.

 

[kbs2244]

If this is new construction it is the perfect time to run a 4 inch PVC pipe fro close to the pit floor level over to a side wall and the up the wall as a fume vent.
You can put it at a good slant to drain any water.

A small wind turbine will provide no cost, continuous, venting.

 

[maxpat82]

Then you need some sort of a grate or plate system that's up to the loads. I would think it would get tiring pulling that up and down.

simple 2x4 or 2x6 are way enough to run over with a car.
My dad have a pit "hole" in is garage (which have a full size basement under it) and the pit have a notch so the 2x4 end flush with the floor (and a valley for water drainage).
He park is car over the wood everyday.
2x4 and 2x6 are screw together in 3 section for easy removing.

Pit isn't allowed in quebec either, but "hole" in the floor yes

still prefer a lift to a pit!

 

[dave_dj1]

Most insurance companies won't like a pit.

 

[RDeMeyer]

We are in the final stages of our garage conversion and garage expansion. We are going to put on of these in the floor.

http://tornadotoughshelters.com/storm-shelters/under-garage

The way I see it I can have a "PIT" that does a couple jobs.

 

[chinsk]

Most people seem to have a fear or hatred of pits, but I’m guessing most haven’t spent too much time in a good one. They are still the main go to in heavy truck shops, unless it’s a main dealer with wheel lifts. Personally I’ve never been happy under one of them. I ran a commercial truck shop for 15 years. We had a 60 ft pit. White tiled, drain, air, lights and electric plumbed in and rolling jacks. It was indispensable. Kept clean and tidy, it wasn’t a bad place to work. With two guys, one in the pit and one out you can do a wheels off service way quicker than up and down on a lift.

For cars, yeah….a 2 post or 4 post lift would probably be the first choice, but there is nothing wrong with a good pit. Yes, you can get asphyxiated or burned up in one if you don’t use some basic common sense, but google ‘car falling of jack/lift/hoist’ and see how many hits you get.

 

[finn]

Most people seem to have a fear or hatred of pits, but I’m guessing most haven’t spent too much time in a good one. They are still the main go to in heavy truck shops, unless it’s a main dealer with wheel lifts. Personally I’ve never been happy under one of them. I ran a commercial truck shop for 15 years. We had a 60 ft pit. White tiled, drain, air, lights and electric plumbed in and rolling jacks. It was indispensable. Kept clean and tidy, it wasn’t a bad place to work. With two guys, one in the pit and one out you can do a wheels off service way quicker than up and down on a lift.

For cars, yeah….a 2 post or 4 post lift would probably be the first choice, but there is nothing wrong with a good pit. Yes, you can get asphyxiated or burned up in one if you don’t use some basic common sense, but google ‘car falling of jack/lift/hoist’ and see how many hits you get.

Congratulations on being able to keep the pit clean. All the ones I have seen are... well... pits.

Also there’s a big difference between Diesel fuel leaking into a pit and gasoline accumulating in a pit.

 

[rburke65]

Who on this site has had insurence company refuse coverage because of having a pit? Just curious. Thanks

 

[c39er]

I have a nice pit and 3 lifts.
The pit has air, 4" drain system wall pockets etc. Excellent lighting. 100% dry year round and the heavy grates permit driving over it.

12' X 3' 6' deep. if I was to do it over I'd make it 16' long with stair steps.
I don't use it much but it's sure cool in the summer and good escape in a nuclear war possibly.
It was fun to design and build.... it survived two earthquakes with out a crack.