fish6942
Gold Member
The Background: We converted an exiting pole building that was originally built as living quarters into garage space. Due to the original build intent, the floors do not slope any particular direction. The in-floor heat does a terrific job of melting the snow from the vehicles in the winter but then the water ends up running all over including towards the sidewalls.
The Desire: To install some type of floor drain system to catch the melting snow and ultimately drain it.
The Idea: Cut 1" deep channels in the floor around the parking area as well as a few additional channels inside the parking area. These channels would be covered with some type of grate. Periodically bore 4" holes (36" deep) along the channels and vertically install perforated PVC into these holes to give the channels a place to drain into. (see attachment)
The Questions:
1) The slab is 4" thick so provided the PEX is installed at the proper depth, the 1" channels should not be a problem. Sound reasonable?
2) In order to bore the 4" holes, I'd need to know exactly where the PEX lines are in the areas where the holes are to go. Two methods I've read about for locating the lines are: a) A thermal imaging camera used when the heat is running; b) Ground Penetrating Radar. Anyone with experience using either technique?
3) The ground in the immediate area is about 2" of good topsoil with gravel underneath. The garage is on a higher area of the property so there is little concern about the water not draining from the PVC. Comments?
Another Option: I've also considered putting up a perimeter dam of some sort to at least contain the water until I can collect it with a shop vac or possibly install drain holes in the spots where the majority of the water collects. This could be something as simple as a composite threshold material that's 4" wide and 1/2" thick and has a continuous radius across the top to facilitate rolling carts and such across it.
I am certainly open to other suggestions from the brain trust on this site!!
The Desire: To install some type of floor drain system to catch the melting snow and ultimately drain it.
The Idea: Cut 1" deep channels in the floor around the parking area as well as a few additional channels inside the parking area. These channels would be covered with some type of grate. Periodically bore 4" holes (36" deep) along the channels and vertically install perforated PVC into these holes to give the channels a place to drain into. (see attachment)
The Questions:
1) The slab is 4" thick so provided the PEX is installed at the proper depth, the 1" channels should not be a problem. Sound reasonable?
2) In order to bore the 4" holes, I'd need to know exactly where the PEX lines are in the areas where the holes are to go. Two methods I've read about for locating the lines are: a) A thermal imaging camera used when the heat is running; b) Ground Penetrating Radar. Anyone with experience using either technique?
3) The ground in the immediate area is about 2" of good topsoil with gravel underneath. The garage is on a higher area of the property so there is little concern about the water not draining from the PVC. Comments?
Another Option: I've also considered putting up a perimeter dam of some sort to at least contain the water until I can collect it with a shop vac or possibly install drain holes in the spots where the majority of the water collects. This could be something as simple as a composite threshold material that's 4" wide and 1/2" thick and has a continuous radius across the top to facilitate rolling carts and such across it.
I am certainly open to other suggestions from the brain trust on this site!!
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