4 Things to Know About Installing a Drain in Your Garage

Installing a Garage Drain

Whatever you use your garage for, there is a good chance that you would benefit from having a garage drain. This is especially true for garages that are used for vehicle storage. The garage door is frequently opened and closed, even on rainy and snowy days — and water is likely to run off of cars, bikes, raincoats and boots to pool on the garage floor.

A drain is a great solution for this issue, but here are four things you should know before installing a drain in your garage:

1. You need to look into local garage floor drain codes. There are different codes and regulations for residential and commercial floor drain installation. Find out what the rules are in your area before you do anything else.
2. A garage drain can lower health risks. Pools of water and other excess moisture left in your garage can lead to the development of mold and other potential health risks, including the chance of breeding mosquitoes. 
3. You can’t pour just anything into a drain. There are specific regulations about what can be poured into a drain in different areas. For example, you should never pour any kind of chemical down your garage drain.
4. A garage drain needs to be cleaned regularly. Like any other drain, a garage floor drain needs regular cleaning and maintenance to stay in good working order. Just because it’s out of sight does not mean your garage drain should be out of mind.

What Is a Garage Drain?

Like any other drain, a garage drain is meant to control the flow of water. The key to a successful garage drain is the floor — it needs to be pitched or sloped so that water will run down the drain naturally.

What Is a French Drain System?

A French drain is one garage floor drain option. In a French drain system, a trench lined with gravel and a perforated pipe is used to redirect water away from an area.

Does a Garage Need a Drain?

For residential garages, the answer depends on where your home is located. Many cities do not allow the installation of garage drains. Instead, garage floors may be sloped so that any water can run out of the garage on its own or be swept and squeegeed out. If that water isn’t dealt with, either by a drain or by you, it could make the floor slippery and potentially cause accidents. 

Benefits of Having a Garage Drain

• A drain will prevent water from pooling in your garage and save you the labor of sweeping it out.
• You can easily wash your car inside your garage.
• A drain can prevent ice from building up in the winter.

How to Install a Drain in Your Residential Garage

In general, it is a good idea to leave complicated plumbing to experts. However, there are a few steps you should take when you consider installing a drain: 

• Check local ordinances before doing any installations.
• Decide whether you want to connect to the sewer system or route the water to a storm drain. 
• Make sure the floor is pitched or sloped so that water will run into the drain naturally. If the current slope is insufficient, be prepared to pour new concrete.

Contact Continental Door for Garage Door Services

Adding a drain to your garage is a great way to improve its safety and convenience, but you need to be sure you’re in compliance with city codes before calling a contractor. If so, there are several garage floor drain options you can explore to increase the utility of your space.

Planning to renovate your entire garage? Top it off with a new insulated door from Continental Door. Home and business owners in Spokane, Coeur D’Alene and the surrounding areas can count on Continental Door for high-quality, professional garage door services and expertise. Get in touch today for a free estimate or service request.