Adding a drain in your garage is not a walk in the park. But doing so is as simple as complying with building codes & regulations, choosing a drainage system, and choosing the right flooring materials that are suited for your garage.
5 Best-Selling Drainage System for Garage
A garage is like an all-in-one workplace haven where all the magic happens. Should you be doing exquisite wood crafts, fix your car/bike, or do some painting, a garage has your back when things get dirty. And this is why installing a drain on your garage floor is a must.
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Floor Drains Are a Lifesaver
Having a floor drain on your garage will make cleaning easier. Gone are the days where you have to sweep and wash the dirt away towards the exit. With a floor drain, you don’t need to worry about how wet and mucky your garage floor can get.
It prevents water from pooling on your garage floor that can not only make it unclean to look at, but also turn into a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
There’s no denying that installing a garage floor drain is no easy feat. However, we are going to make it easy for you by following these steps below.
Step #1: Get your building codes and regulations ready
Just like any kind of property modification, installing a garage floor drain also requires some paperwork before you get started. This means you need to comply with your local building and plumbing codes first. Depending on where you live, some cities/regions don’t allow adding drains to garage floors because of land or plumbing problems that may occur.
And if you’re lucky enough to live in an area where they allow you to add a floor drain to your garage, then you are in for a treat. So don’t forget to manage some local paperwork first to keep yourself away from trouble. It might be a lengthy process to do so, but at least you’ll have a smooth-sailing installation experience thereafter.
Step #2: Choose the right materials
Different garages have different flooring structures. That’s why choosing the right materials should never be overlooked when installing a garage floor drain. This means knowing the size of the pipe to use and the draining system too.
There are different types of drainage systems that are available in the market today. And the most common ones are the waste-water floor drain or a ground-water floor drain. These two types of drainage systems differ when it comes to functionality.
The former is connected to the sewer and needs to be vented and trapped to keep the flow as smooth as possible.
The latter, on the other hand, is not connected to the sewer at all. This means it doesn’t need to be vented or trapped for it to work. However, it’s size is five times larger than the waste-water floor drain.
Choosing which floor drain to opt for depends on your preference. Both options are good in their own way, but it all boils down on which one suits your budget and garage floor structure.
Step #3: Let the installation begin
Adding a drain to your garage also means breaking the floor again to add the pipes and drainage system of your choice. You can either do it by yourself if you have the tools or hire a plumbing service to save yourself from extra work.
Assuming that you have the proper equipment, use a backhoe to dig trenches on your garage floor to be used by your pipes. A backhoe will make the digging much easier without consuming too much time.
Next, use a jackhammer to dig a spot on your garage floor where you’ll put the floor drain. Once done, put the pipes on the trenches we dug at first. Make sure to connect it according to your chosen floor drain we tackled in the previous step.
Lastly, fill the trench with new concrete to cover the installed pipes. You need to be careful when doing this to prevent concrete from accidentally filling on the newly-installed drain hole.
Need help? You might want to watch YouTube videos (or read the manual) on how to mix and pour concrete properly.
Once the concrete has dried (this will take about a day), install the drain cover, and then you’re done. Want to spruce up your new garage floor? Splash some fresh coat of paint into it or add some tiles whatever your wallet allows.
And that’s all of it! However, hiring a plumbing service is also ideal if you don’t want to be bombarded with all the extra work.
Just make sure to plan with them according to what kind of drainage system you wish to install. Still unsure? Fret not because plumbing companies can give recommendations on what will suit your garage best.
Extra Consideration To Keep In Mind
Now that you know how to install a garage floor drain, there are some few things to consider to keep hassle at bay. But the most common one is clogging. Clogged drains can be a real problem if not prevented.
The purpose of floor drains is to make cleaning easier and prevent water from pooling inside your garage. Always remember that it is not a shortcut to get rid of clumpy residue that is too big to fit inside the drain.
If you use your garage floor drain to get rid of residual stuff made from clumped dirt, then expect it to clog. Cleaning clogged drains is something that you want to avoid. So be mindful when it comes to cleaning your garage and take better care of the drainage system.
Conclusion
A floor drain is an unsung hero every garage needs. And if you don’t have a floor drain installed in your garage, then there’s no better time to do it than now.
It doesn’t cost too much, and you can even save more if you do the installation work on your own. So what are you waiting for?
It sure is time to give your garage floor its much-needed drainage system today.
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