Garage Floor Slope............ - Lateral-g Forums

wiedemab · #1 12-25-2012, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratman67

flat = plano level = nivel

Thanks for future reference...... These guys are local boys, and based on the last names....I'm guessing of German Catholic descent, like most around our area.

I was hoping that at least one person would chime in and say -- " my shop has a sloped floor and it really hasn't been a big issue". I guess most car people think like I do and want a level floor. Unfortunately for me, I wasn't there when they poured it to check to make sure it was done that way, which it appears may bite me in the ass.

I'm going to go to Dad's shop and check his floor. He has drains in the center of the building. I know his floor isn't level, but I'm not sure how much fall there is. It's harder to see when it slopes to the middle. If his is even close to what mine is, I'm probably going to just go with it. In the years that we've worked in his shop, I've never bitched about the floor slope........sooooo.

The other thing is, that even if his has the 1/8 per foot over 1/2 the building (sloping to the middle) it will be 1/2 the overall elevation change that I'm seeing since it slopes the entire 30 feet in mine.

I have a feeling this is going to be one of those frustrating and/or expensive life lessons. I know better too, is the part that makes me mad.

**glassman** · #2 12-25-2012, 09:39 PM

It's technically the difference between a shop and a garage, one with slope one without. I've worked on the1/8 per ft for years, don't even notice it. Shim the lift with ONLY steel shims, you probably already know that. IMO, the number one problem in the construction world is communication (how many of us grew up wanting to build/service).

Track Junky · #3 12-25-2012, 10:05 PM

It's the norm for a contractor to slope a garage floor towards the garage door so that when it is being washed out the water heads in the correct direction. If he wasn't told before hand to make it flat he was just following typical building procedures.

wiedemab · #4 12-26-2012, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Track Junky

It's the norm for a contractor to slope a garage floor towards the garage door so that when it is being washed out the water heads in the correct direction. If he wasn't told before hand to make it flat he was just following typical building procedures.

I understand that it is the norm, but we discussed it.

I will talk to him this morning

**Ketzer** · #5 12-26-2012, 06:41 AM

Good luck today. Start with patience.

I know they make self-leveling products to put over unlevel concrete but I don't think it's designed to be a finished shop floor?

Jeff-

wiedemab · #6 12-26-2012, 06:54 AM

Thanks! It will be a civil discussion. I need understand what happened. .... like was said earlier, he may have been told that it had to be sloped by the inspector.

pokey64 · #7 12-26-2012, 07:59 AM

Capping it with another layer on concrete may be an option to avoid the removal step. We did that in a 40 x 100 farm shop and it has stood up to pay loader and tractor traffic. Our cement guy said the key to doing this is a 3" layer of compacted gravel between the two slabs. (6” existing, 3” gravel, 6” new) They warned against pouring a second slab directly on top of existing concrete since it will just crack and crumble over time.

You'd have to accommodate the surrounding grade for the additional 8-9" of elevation. You'd also want to cut out and pour a solid footing where your lift is going.

May not work in your situation but sometimes it's nice to have a few options to kick around.

Hope all goes well with your discussions!

John510 · #8 12-29-2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiedemab

I have a feeling this is going to be one of those frustrating and/or expensive life lessons. I know better too, is the part that makes me mad.

You paid before the work was done? Dont pay them until they redo it.... Worst that can happen is you get a lein

itsals1 · #9 12-30-2012, 05:33 AM

I see your views from both sides,as a owner and as a contractor. I own a garage door company in which we install garage doors,operators, sales, and service.
I approach every job as if was my own new or existing construction! I tell anyone working for us this is a rule, not a option!
"TREAT EVERY JOB AS IF IT WAS YOUR OWN"
Most of the time this rule has helped our business grow from word-of-mouth, but we still get call-backs. It sounds like you are very happy with the quality of the flat work, but wanted something other than the norm from what the crew is use to their "standard!" As a business owner it seems your contractor has done a outstanding job for you! On the personal side it's not what you would have done if you could have did it yourself. With that being said in my business I believe that you need to have some sort of floor drain in a shop/garage as it will be a useful tool in your shop. We see so many garage doors that are rusted and become mechanically unsafe to use because no drain has been installed. I think in the end you have more advantages to leave it as is vs. removal and repouring a new "FLAT" floor. Lets face it sooner or later you will have some sort of rain,snow,ice,or water in your shop and a floor drain is a perfect place for it to go. Just my $.02!

Travis

wiedemab · #10 12-30-2012, 12:17 PM

I appreciate everyone's input on the topic. Just to reiterate the point - -I am very happy with the interactions that I've had with my general contractor.

The more time I spend out there cleaning the slab off (after every snow!). I really don't think it will cause me any problems. Once the building is complete I will move a few tool boxes etc. in to make sure, but I will likely just spend the money on more tools versus redoing the floor. I may grind the form marks off of the foundation walls on the inside though - - just to get rid of the visual reminder of the slope - they are level and close to the floor and make it very visually obvious that there is a slope..

So far, they've gotten every other detail that I wanted right on. They poured the slab thicker in the bay for my lift and it has plenty of steel in the floor. I know they say 4" of reinforced concrete is adequate, but.......... I just wanted it to be overkill I suppose.

I'm getting really anxious to get the shop done so that I can start tinkering. I'm hoping to have it pretty well wrapped up by Summer (remember, I'm finishing the inside out and wiring it etc. and I'm slow!) and get started on my next major project.

I agree with some of the earlier posts - - If it is important, make sure it is communicated properly and documented.