Ideas for garage drains

Builder · May 15, 2006

( I live in Vermont so I can't just send the water to the doors, in the winter it will freeze the doors shut. I have seen some people slope towards the doors but just a couple of feet inside the doors they have their drains, so it never actually gets to the door. )

OK, thanks. Just one more suggestion- could you open the door 1/2"-1" when you have a wet condition?

By any chance, are you doing lots of winter projects in your garage or heating it so you can work in the winter? Maybe insulated walls and a heated slab are in your future!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Builder · May 15, 2006

( I live in Vermont so I can't just send the water to the doors, in the winter it will freeze the doors shut. I have seen some people slope towards the doors but just a couple of feet inside the doors they have their drains, so it never actually gets to the door. )

OK, thanks. Just one more suggestion- could you open the door 1/2"-1" when you have a wet condition?

By any chance, are you doing lots of winter projects in your garage or heating it so you can work in the winter? Maybe insulated walls and a heated slab are in your future!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

tommu56 · May 15, 2006

we used these web page with the built in slope at our firehouse and work well they are about 2 ft back from the door and drain to daylight eventyally. We keep some oil only "PIGS" in catch basin to kep oil from leaving just tie them to some thing so they don't go down pipe (we tie them to grates). There is a pan with a low part to catch gravel and other heavy stuff were pipe ties in.

tom

tommu56 · May 15, 2006

we used these web page with the built in slope at our firehouse and work well they are about 2 ft back from the door and drain to daylight eventyally. We keep some oil only "PIGS" in catch basin to kep oil from leaving just tie them to some thing so they don't go down pipe (we tie them to grates). There is a pan with a low part to catch gravel and other heavy stuff were pipe ties in.

tom

texbaylea · May 16, 2006

I believe that I got them from Home Depot although I have seen similar at Lowes. I had a couple of lengths left over that I will try to find and see if there is a name on them.

Vernon

texbaylea · May 16, 2006

I believe that I got them from Home Depot although I have seen similar at Lowes. I had a couple of lengths left over that I will try to find and see if there is a name on them.

Vernon

RalphVa · May 17, 2006

I had a drain put in the middle of one of the bays of my carriage house. The concrete guy sloped the floor so that both bays drain to that one drain. Used it a couple days ago with my car parked in there a little in both bays. Drained well. I've a "U" in the drain line below the drain hole. Can saw it out if I ever have a plugging problem and replace it. You can get "U" pieces that have a removable part in the bottom, but Lowes didn't happen to have that when I put my drain pipes in. Mine all drains just ouside the concrete wall of the carriage house. Had it going into a rock well, but I obviously didn't make that big enough. Took the side out of a tee just above the well through which it's discharging now onto the grass.

If you want a trench, check with a swimming pool contractor. I've a trench around my swimming pool that drains the deck outside the pool to the trench. A couple downspouts and the backflush line go into that same trench.

Ralph

RalphVa · May 17, 2006

I had a drain put in the middle of one of the bays of my carriage house. The concrete guy sloped the floor so that both bays drain to that one drain. Used it a couple days ago with my car parked in there a little in both bays. Drained well. I've a "U" in the drain line below the drain hole. Can saw it out if I ever have a plugging problem and replace it. You can get "U" pieces that have a removable part in the bottom, but Lowes didn't happen to have that when I put my drain pipes in. Mine all drains just ouside the concrete wall of the carriage house. Had it going into a rock well, but I obviously didn't make that big enough. Took the side out of a tee just above the well through which it's discharging now onto the grass.

If you want a trench, check with a swimming pool contractor. I've a trench around my swimming pool that drains the deck outside the pool to the trench. A couple downspouts and the backflush line go into that same trench.

Ralph

PineRidge · May 17, 2006

We had the builder add two of the square PVC drains w/grates to the attached garage when the house was built. We liked them so much that we had two put in the pole barn when we had it built. With the freezing temperatures that we see here in the winter draining water out the front of the garage would be just asking for a skating rink and we're a bit to old to skate on ice. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

PineRidge · May 17, 2006

We had the builder add two of the square PVC drains w/grates to the attached garage when the house was built. We liked them so much that we had two put in the pole barn when we had it built. With the freezing temperatures that we see here in the winter draining water out the front of the garage would be just asking for a skating rink and we're a bit to old to skate on ice. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

inveresk · May 17, 2006

Acodrain is the product you're looking for. I've used their raindrain quite a bit and didn't find it expensive.

http://www.acousa.com/commercial.htm

I agree with the other posters though. I'd be wary of a trench drain in the garage.

inveresk · May 17, 2006

Acodrain is the product you're looking for. I've used their raindrain quite a bit and didn't find it expensive.

http://www.acousa.com/commercial.htm

I agree with the other posters though. I'd be wary of a trench drain in the garage.

jhortonvt · May 19, 2006

( I agree with the other posters though. I'd be wary of a trench drain in the garage. )

Why should I be "wary"?

jhortonvt · May 19, 2006

( I agree with the other posters though. I'd be wary of a trench drain in the garage. )

Why should I be "wary"?

inveresk · May 19, 2006

As I said, other posters have given good reason.

Kennyd and L39builder rightly pointed out you might need an oil interceptor and Beenthere raised the issue of the drain acting as a dirt trap.

To expand, trench drains need maintenance. In some instances the maintenance can be a bigger nuisance than the problem the drain is intended to solve. Just my opinion.

inveresk · May 19, 2006

As I said, other posters have given good reason.

Kennyd and L39builder rightly pointed out you might need an oil interceptor and Beenthere raised the issue of the drain acting as a dirt trap.

To expand, trench drains need maintenance. In some instances the maintenance can be a bigger nuisance than the problem the drain is intended to solve. Just my opinion.

Jagmandave · May 22, 2006

I have the poly drains in my plant, even installed a few of them after the fact, they work well and are easy to install, especially as part of new construction. A bit spendy tho.....

Jagmandave · May 22, 2006

I have the poly drains in my plant, even installed a few of them after the fact, they work well and are easy to install, especially as part of new construction. A bit spendy tho.....

Builder · May 24, 2006

( ( I agree with the other posters though. I'd be wary of a trench drain in the garage. )

Why should I be "wary"? )

I think you need to check building codes first before installing a floor drain. They'll theorize that you'll drain your motor oil, antifreeze, etc. down the drain while the door is down, even if your intentions are not to do so.

If your inspector doesn't care, then knock yourself out with floor drains.

Builder · May 24, 2006

( ( I agree with the other posters though. I'd be wary of a trench drain in the garage. )

Why should I be "wary"? )

I think you need to check building codes first before installing a floor drain. They'll theorize that you'll drain your motor oil, antifreeze, etc. down the drain while the door is down, even if your intentions are not to do so.

If your inspector doesn't care, then knock yourself out with floor drains.