A garage can be a messy place, and keeping it clean is much less complicated if you can simply wash down the floor and allow the water to run into a floor drain. While
it is best to install the drain during the building of the garage, you can also retrofit an existing garage, although it is considerably more difficult
.
Where do I run my garage floor drain?
Garage floor drains go to either
storm sewers or sanitary sewer systems
. These drain lines do not require traps, but they may require a sump pump installed at the lowest point of your garage to help with water damage prevention.
How do you clean a garage floor without drain?
Mix a half-cup baking soda in a gallon of warm water and use it as an all-purpose cleaner
. You can also mix baking soda with a few drops of liquid soap, to make a paste, and use it to scrub light stains. Don't underestimate the power of warm, soapy water to keep your floors clean and remove minor stains.
How does a garage floor drain work?
There are two types of drains used in garage floors. In some cases, the drain is a round hole which looks much like a large drain hole in the shower, except a bit larger.
The drain hole is covered with a round or square metal grate, and the garage floor is sloped so that water flows toward the drain from all areas
.
Why is there a square hole in my garage floor?
Holes cored or drilled into a concrete garage floor
may be there due to “Slabjacking”, testing the slab for structural strength or for subterranean termite treatment
. Note that the size and location of the holes are important, for they may be a warning sign.
How much does it cost to put a drain in a garage?
How much does it cost to install a floor drain?
A 9 inch bell trap drain cost about 20.00 dollars
. A 4′′ by 10 foot long drain pipe cost about 11.00 dollars at Lowe's. Depending on what lengths you need and any miscellaneous elbows or Tee fittings, not very much for this drainage system.
How do you install drainage in a garage?
Can you add a drain to existing concrete?
Installing a floor drain into an existing concrete slab will require some sawing of the concrete
. You can hire someone to saw a trench in the concrete floor from where the drain will be to where the drain pipe will exit the building. They usually remove the sawed concrete and get it out of the building for you.
How deep is a garage floor drain?
Most garage floor drains are about
8 inch to 14 inches
deep for the drain box.
Do all floor drains have traps?
A missing cleanout plug can allow hazardous sewer gas into the home, and often indicates a clogged floor drain. To learn why and how, read on.
Every plumbing fixture has a trap
. The purpose of a trap is to prevent foul-smelling sewer gas from coming back into the house.
How do you install a floor drain in a concrete slab?
- Prepare Your Space. While it's easiest to install a floor drain prior to pouring your cement, you can do it after the floor has been set. …
- Plan Drainage. …
- Dig Trenches. …
- Pour New Concrete. …
- Add a Drain Cover.
How do you clean an unsealed concrete garage floor?
- Sprinkle sawdust or cat litter over any oil or grease spots on the concrete. …
- Sweep all debris from the concrete floor with a push broom. …
- Sprinkle powdered dishwasher detergent on the stain. …
- Pour boiling water over the detergent after soaking.
Why is there a drain in my garage?
Water Flow
Having a drain installed — with the correct pitch to the floor —
allows water dripping off your car or from rain falling outside (especially important in particularly rainy areas) to flow away rather than pool on the garage floor
.
Can you pressure wash garage floor?
Start with a thorough sweeping to remove loose debris. Begin using your power washer at the back of your garage (closest to the house) and move forward toward the door. Spray directly onto the garage floor and out toward the door, allowing the water and debris to wash outward and away from your home.
How do you snake a garage floor drain?
Use a plunger to loosen deep-down clogs. Pour baking soda and white vinegar down the drain; after 10 minutes, flush the drain with boiling water. If the drain is still clogged,
use a plumber's snake to snag and remove stubborn clogs
. Once the drain is flowing freely again, replace the drain cover.
What is the hole in a garage floor called?
It's
a drain
. We installed one exactly like that at my dad's house. I don't know where you're located, but we live in snow country, and the gravel/snow/slush that freezes on your car leaves lots of dirt. The pit traps dirt and other solids so they don't clog the pipe, letting the water drain away.
What is the hole in my basement called?
Sump Holes
A sump doesn't necessarily have to be a hole, but if a hole underneath your basement is acting as a sump, it is called a sump hole. This sump hole is simply an area drilled or dug into the ground beneath your basement. The hole is what the water drains into instead of pooling in puddles around your basement.
Why are there holes in concrete slab?
Air.
Air becomes entrapped in concrete during the mixing and pouring process
. While some air is necessary to avoid damage when the concrete experiences freezing and thawing temperatures, too much causes blisters or bubbles on the surface that then erupt into holes.
Does a garage drain need a trap?
Local building code may require you to install an oil trap in your garage floor drain before the water is discharged into the sewer drain or in the yard
. The discharge from Garage Floor Drain to Daylight is likely being spread over your backyard.
Why do French drains fail?
Over time, a French drain may become clogged
. Tiny soil and clay granules slip through the pores of the landscape fabric and gradually build up inside the pipe. Another common cause of French drain clogs is root intrusion from grass, shrubs, and trees.
How do I fix standing water in my garage?
How do I keep water from flooding in my garage?
- Seal Any Leaks or Cracks. Take the time to look over the walls, roof and floor of your garage for any cracks that might allow water to seep in. …
- Inspect Your Garage Door. …
- Replace Your Garage Door. …
- Make Sure You Have Proper Drainage. …
- Store Items Strategically. …
- Consider Your Landscaping. …
- Use Sandbags.
How do I stop rainwater from running into my garage?
Trench Drain
If the driveway slopes downward toward the garage instead of away from it, the only way to keep the rainwater out is to channel it away before it can run under the door. The best way to do this is to
install a trench drain along the front of the garage
.
