Designing your new detached garage can be exciting! Much like a home, there are cosmetic decisions to be made, such as what siding, shingles, and roof to choose that will match and best compliment your house.

There are also decisions that need to be made based on the purpose of the structure.

Will you be simply using this space for cars and storage, or will you be utilizing the space for your hobbies and tools? There are several options that are specific to your needs, such as heating or cooling the structure, finishing the interior of the structure, or installing a floor drain.

There are many factors to take into consideration when determining if a floor drain is necessary. Determining the low point, where water is pooling, in your structure will be greatly helpful. If sloped towards the driveway, a drain may not even be necessary.

The Purpose Of A Floor Drain

In structures that are primarily used for automobile maintenance or as a workstation, the threat of excess standing water and chemicals can be heightened. Here, a floor drain helps prevent puddling water and chemicals and reduces the risk of slipping in the garage.

This drainage also helps to avoid standing water within the garage that can lead to greater foundation problems. Having gutters and downspouts installed will also help to prevent damage to the integrity of the structure.

Larger low spots, that collect more moisture than other areas, if not dried on a regular basis can also become a breeding spots for mosquitos.

Whether the moisture enters the garage from rain or snow on your tires, or the addition of plumbing within the structure, a floor drain provides a way to channel it outside of the structure to a more appropriate drainage system.

The Challenges Of Installing A Floor Drain

All municipalities have their own specific codes and guidelines for installing drains into garage floors, therefore it may or may not be an option. Most restrict floor drains due to the runoff of toxins, oil, and gasoline that can potentially infiltrate the greater sewer system.

Without proper filtration, it is unsafe to connect these systems to the local sewer or drainage system. If approved, it is important to know what can and cannot be poured down the drain.

Therefore, it is necessary to regularly clean and maintain the drain to ensure they are draining properly as they can get clogged with debris easily.

Pitching the foundation appropriately during the construction phase allows for water that enters the garage to flow back out the garage door towards the driveway, thus sending it naturally to a drainage system, avoiding having to deal with municipality regulations and codes.

Having builders who are familiar with municipality codes and permitting can make this process smoother whether it be by installing a floor drain or finding an alternate way to avoid water damage.

For a FREE consultation and estimate, contact Heartland Garage Builders at HeartlandGarageBuilders.com or 224-326-2698.