Home garage must-haves

When I build, I was thinking about putting a couple of drains in floor so I could wash the car in the garage...not just rinseless wash, but a real wash. Has anyone done this?

I tried to do it when I built the house I'm in. Depending on where you're building it may be against code. I'm sure there's a way around it. Maybe rough plumb it before the floors poured??
 
When I build, I was thinking about putting a couple of drains in floor so I could wash the car in the garage...not just rinseless wash, but a real wash. Has anyone done this?

It will depend on where you live. Call and check what your city code says. I was fortunate that my city allowed a drain to be connected to city sewer or drain to daylight.
 
When I build, I was thinking about putting a couple of drains in floor so I could wash the car in the garage...not just rinseless wash, but a real wash. Has anyone done this?

I don't think it's necessary. I do foam washes and 2BW in my garage and it isn't a problem. But, that's just for my low volume production. I suppose it would make sense (to me at least) if your production is daily.

I just got one of these, and it works really well to get the water out.

Amazon.com - Ettore 54455 Industrial Duty Steel Floor Squeegee with 24-Inch Straight Handle - Floor Cleaners
 
Dunno. In my part of PA I had no problem getting a drain put in the middle of the garage floor.

Of course I didn't tell the builder I was going to wash cars in there.


****please support trans-species humans.
 
When I build, I was thinking about putting a couple of drains in floor so I could wash the car in the garage...not just rinseless wash, but a real wash. Has anyone done this?

When I built I had a floor drain put in the center of my 3-stall garage. The garage is 36' wide x 28' deep. I also had hot and cold water run to the garage and put in a natural gas heater. I put flecked epoxy on the floor with 2 clear coats on top. I wash my vehicles year round in the garage. I also had outlets placed 6' apart all around the garage and 3 rows of fluorescent lighting (2 - 8' sections per row. I spend more time in the garage then I do inside the house!
 
Tony, this is depressing news.

Your buddy should have mentioned that he was a close and personal friend of the late Lewis Grizzard.

I know some folks who built entire structures without permits. Stealth was important. And so were weekends.

Your buddy might consider befriending a local politician, and if he likes the person well enough, he might even contribute to his campaign.
 
The concrete floor is pitched, usually, and any water will run out the bottom of the doors.
 
Tony, this is depressing news.

Your buddy should have mentioned that he was a close and personal friend of the late Lewis Grizzard.

I know some folks who built entire structures without permits. Stealth was important. And so were weekends.

Your buddy might consider befriending a local politician, and if he likes the person well enough, he might even contribute to his campaign.

Haaaaaaaa....... just found your reply. ;)

Tell ya' what... he has PLENTY of money to contribute to any nuber of campaigns! (Bought his 'lady friend' not one, but TWO C7's last year!) Of course he has a Hellcat, 14 Viper (sold the 09), 3 more early 70's Mopars at the house, a Z06, 68 RS/SS Camaro, 71 Chevelle, GT500, a couple DD's, and a couple 2500/3500 pickups to name a few.

Down there at Lake Redwine though they are a nosy bunch to say the least. I know he's been locked out of the two freestanding garages SEVERAL TIMES when the power was out! :eek:

Me personally... I'm using the stealth approach when expanding the shop in my back yard this year. I have a raised shed (on a sloped hill) that's built like a deck, 30' long (26' is flat) x 18' wide. For now, there is s 3 side enclosure on the left side that's 8 x 16 (completely open on the right side). I'm going to enclose the entire right side, adding another 10' x 16 and raise the roof on that side where it'll overlap at the offset gable. Figure on putting some transom windows up there that I can tilt open, but with the roof overlapping by 18" they'll be no danger of rain getting in. Putting a 4' door on the back (high side, a good 7' up at the floor) and dual 4' barn doors on the (new) right side. Moving 12 or so woodworking machines in there from Papa Fred's house.

I can assure you... there will not be a county inspector in site. ;) Not like I'm building a *new* structure, just closing in the right side (open deck) of an existing one. :)
 
Build it bigger than you expect

I have a four car garage with a bump out space for work, cabinets everywhere, bench space, etc.

But now with six cars, I wish I had more room. Don't really want to put in car lifts at this point, though I may not have another option

My next house, if there is one, will have a huge garage.
 
The drain in the garage floor works awesome. Can wash a car in there with the door closed. All the water runs down the drain.

One thing I really wish I did, but didn't think about, is a hose tap right outside the garage door as well. I have 3 hose taps (garage, side of house, back yard)...

So, if I want to wash in the driveway - I have to use a longer hose from the side or from in the garage. No big deal, but it's pretty cheap to add these things in the building stage.
 
Is it completed now?

I would like to see a pic if possible.
 
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