Garage Drainange/ Alley Slope Issue [Split from weather]

[ken0042]

With unlimited resources, anything is possible.

I know I looked into that when I built my garage, and I was advised against it. The biggest issue is that unless you can connect it to the sewer system, you have the issue of the drain pipe freezing. So that's why my garage floor is sloped going out the big door.

[burn_this_city]

Some people have a sump in the middle of the floor, I think it would be a bigger pain than its worth.

[Ace]

^sounds like you sir have a claim against the city. Let your insurance company deal with it.

[ken0042]

What about building a bit of a "curb" just outside of your garage. (I've learned not to use the word "hump" when dealing with Fotze.) Would that be enough to keep the alley run-off out?

[burn_this_city]

Mine has pooling water as well and it ruined some crap near the door. Mine isn't drywalled though so it hasn't been a huge deal.

The bigger thing though, the city actually grades your alley? Mine has 2 foot drifts making it impassable from one direction, wish they'd do something about it.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Some people have a sump in the middle of the floor, I think it would be a bigger pain than its worth.

I have one. Other than some minor water pooling (puddle) around a metal panel in the middle of the garage I've never noticed anything good or bad about it.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

I have one. Other than some minor water pooling (puddle) around a metal panel in the middle of the garage I've never noticed anything good or bad about it.

Sumps are good if the water evaporates, if not you get a nasty soupy mess of crap.

[burn_this_city]

What about a rubber lip that would divert the water from entering the garage?

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Mine has pooling water as well and it ruined some crap near the door. Mine isn't drywalled though so it hasn't been a huge deal.

The bigger thing though, the city actually grades your alley? Mine has 2 foot drifts making it impassable from one direction, wish they'd do something about it.

I think he means during the summer.

They tend to fix one problem and create 3 more. This past year has been the only year out of 6 years where they actually fixed all the problems I had in my alley, without making it worse.

[burn_this_city]

Our alley has been a disaster for the last few years, finally someone on our block circulated the petition to get it paved. We got the notice that it will be done this coming year. Something to consider for people with constantly terrible alley conditions.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Sumps are good if the water evaporates, if not you get a nasty soupy mess of crap.

Actually I don't even know if mine is a sump. It's large square a metal panel that sits in the middle close to the doors and water pools and goes down there to never be seen again. I think it was installed decades ago due to area flooding (I'm on a large hill) in conjunction with sewer upgrades etc. I've never opened it up but it's about 2' x 2'.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by fotze

Been thinking of excavating a 8 inch wide, 4 inch deep trench along the length of where the concrete meets the gravel and putting in some sort of metal grate. Heating coils?

I don't think you'd need something as overboard as heating coils...just adding a grate in front of your garage would help during the days where meltwater is coming down to the garage.

I lived near someone whose garage was completely below the road. It was a really steep driveway. They had a grate and just made sure to get rid of ice accumulation occasionally and it worked great. It drained just off to the side of the driveway into a mulched area with some drain rock.

[photon]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

What about a rubber lip that would divert the water from entering the garage?

Can you get this?? Do they work? I need this if so, my garage slopes ever so gently from the entrance to the middle, meaning when it rains or snows the front half of my garage is a big puddle.

[BlackArcher101]

Hmmmm, this should almost going into the home problems thread now.

Anywho... air movement can help a huge amount in a garage with water problems. Installing a fan such as the one below will actually get rid of puddles fairly quickly.

http://www.humidex.ca/products/humidexgarage/

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by photon

Can you get this?? Do they work? I need this if so, my garage slopes ever so gently from the entrance to the middle, meaning when it rains or snows the front half of my garage is a big puddle.

I haven't seen it before, but it's something I thought about trying to help divert the water away from my garage.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by photon

Can you get this?? Do they work? I need this if so, my garage slopes ever so gently from the entrance to the middle, meaning when it rains or snows the front half of my garage is a big puddle.

Yep, they sell this kit at Home Depot.

http://www.homedepot.ca/catalog/floo...301+4294817082

[burn_this_city]

Isn't that the rubber molding for along the door?

[Madman]

Nope, you attach that to your floor and the garage door closes against it to create a better seal than what the bottom of the door seals do.

[photon]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Hmmmm, this should almost going into the home problems thread now.

Anywho... air movement can help a huge amount in a garage with water problems. Installing a fan such as the one below will actually get rid of puddles fairly quickly.

http://www.humidex.ca/products/humidexgarage/

Interesting, does that vent outside or something? Or just move the air around?

I wonder if that's why I see people with their garage doors open a foot or two?

Originally Posted by Madman

Yep, they sell this kit at Home Depot.

http://www.homedepot.ca/catalog/floo...301+4294817082

That would be perfect, I wonder if there's a more professional/permanent solution.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by photon

That would be perfect, I wonder if there's a more professional/permanent solution.

Then the next question, how does the water from snow that melts off your car get out of your garage?