What You Need to Know About the Drain in Your Garage Floor

The drain in your garage floor can serve more than one useful purpose, and there are different options depending on your drainage priorities. Here are some key facts about garage floor drains.

Water Flow

The floor drain controls the flow of water, preventing damage and unnecessary dirt buildup. Having a drain installed — with the correct pitch to the floor — allows water dripping off your car or from rain falling outside (especially important in particularly rainy areas) to flow away rather than pool on the garage floor. This control over water flow can prevent dangerous puddles from forming, meaning that you reduce the risk of slips and falls. The chances of breeding mosquitoes in your garage are also cut down significantly with proper drainage.

The drain also allows you to wash your garage floor without the cleaning mixture collecting on the floor or spilling onto your driveway and leaving behind dirty residue.

Types of Drains

There are two main types of garage floor drains: trench and square or round. Trench drains come in sections. You can use one section or connect several for maximum flow control. They’re more expensive than other drains but they manage water flow brilliantly. Everything About Concrete recommends trench drains that are “made from polymer concrete and [have] a galvanized grate for the top” with “the pitch already built into the drain” (these are easier to install). When installing a trench drain, watch to make sure the drain doesn’t move when the concrete is poured around it.

Square or round drains are cheaper, easier to install, and take less time to put in. If positioned with the right pitch, a square or round drain can easily manage the water flow for your garage. The center of the floor may be a good spot for your drain to maximize water collection.

Key Considerations

Once your drain is in place, you need to know the regulations about what can be poured into it. Check before you pour any chemicals down your drain, even it’s a cleaning solution.

If you’re planning to install a drain yourself, do some research first. Not only do you want the right setup for your needs, but also installation takes careful planning and effort.

Proper maintenance of a drain is crucial to its functionality. A drain will work well only if it’s cleaned regularly.