Residential Wash Bays

[Hamptons]

Has anyone built a wash bay?

I am considering this for my next house and I was wondering what the recommended materials would be for the walls, ceiling and floors. I would like this to be reasonable with respect to the amount of maintenance needed to keep it clean.

I've seen pictures of some wash bays done in tile and I couldn't imagine having to clean a space that large once it get grimy! Is there something you can use for residential construction that can be kept clean easily and will not degrade when it is in a wet environment like that?

What are some other issues that I need to consider (other than the legality of the drain which has been discussed here several times before)?

 

[z28toz06]

Has anyone built a wash bay?

I am considering this for my next house and I was wondering what the recommended materials would be for the walls, ceiling and floors. I would like this to be reasonable with respect to the amount of maintenance needed to keep it clean.

I've seen pictures of some wash bays done in tile and I couldn't imagine having to clean a space that large once it get grimy! Is there something you can use for residential construction that can be kept clean easily and will not degrade when it is in a wet environment like that?

What are some other issues that I need to consider (other than the legality of the drain which has been discussed here several times before)?

Im doing the first 4 feet up from the floor in 1/2"plywood. Then covering it with FRP. Ever been in a dunkin donuts bathroom? its the same stuff. Totally waterproof, easy to clean, just hose off and wipe down. drain is needed if floor doesn't slope toward door. which is how mine will be.

 

[Krodad]

I'd back up plastic panels with something like Dens glass gold or similar "starchless" drywall. I don't think anything else is truly mold proof...expect that moisture will get behind any facer you install.
Don't know how often or intense you will use the wash bay, but the cadillac version would be all concrete...poured walls with high strength concrete poured at a VERY high slump (water reducers used) so that you strip forms to a very tight, dense wall. Incorporate it into the design of the garage and make the walls load bearing at least in that corner of the garage. If you really want to go ********, go with a HD steel grid floor with a large pit so you can get underneath and power wash the underside (or paint or do mechanical work under there as well)
of course that's a luxury that few can afford.

Since I'm an ICF guy, you might consider building the entire garage with ICF's, then in the was bay area, it's simply a matter of what you face the block with...plastic panels most likely. no further atttention to water issues is needed, and you are already insulated.

 

[mulepackin]

I would use a concrete backer board behind any plastic finish sheeting material. Or better yet, if possible, build the entire thing out of concrete block or poured concrete walls. Finished with the best epoxy sealer you can find.

 

[kbs2244]

I have suggested these guys before. Lots of farm, barn, nursery type stuff.
Those people use a lot of water.

www.teksupply.com

They have wall panels, floor tiles, pressure washers and parts. Lots of stuff. Ask for the full catalog.

 

[boiler7904]

Seems like the easiest would be to do a sealed concrete floor.

Two options for walls would be concrete block with epoxy paint or moisture resistant gypsum board (green board) with epoxy paint

Ceiling could be moisutre resistant gyp and epoxy paint.

Epoxy paint will be tough to apply but will give the most durability if you're looking for a painted finish. I'd be leary about building up a bunch of layers of FRP over plywood or drywall. Each layer creates another possible point of failure of the system.

 

[davidcalhoun]

The first thing I considered was to put a large (tall and wide) plastic curtain on a ceiling mounted track. This would be one way to protect existing drywall when washing and you could move it to a corner when it was not needed.

If you want to mount something on the walls, there is a material better than FRP. It is called DuraPlate. It has replaced a lot of FRP on semi-truck walls.