Garage Floor Slope............ - Page 4 - Lateral-g Forums

**Ketzer** · #31 12-29-2012, 11:17 AM

Ok, maybe this isn't exactly relevent but....
When I had my shop built, it was a dream come true. I was very excited and sweated over every detail. It was a big concrete pour and it went well. The guys put a lot of effort into making it glass smooth for me. I wandered around on that fresh slab dreaming of where everything would go, how cool it was to have a little space for a change...

Then a seperate crew started on the metal building. Nine full days to get it put up. When I went out to inspect, 75% of the shop floor was solid black. They used a forklift with hard rubber tires designed for off-road to help assemble the high stuff. Nine days of riding around in circles, grinding rubber into green concrete. When I contacted the company, they were baffled!?! Baffled that it mattered to me!! "It's just a shop floor, sir. What do you expect?" I spent the next two weeks using a pressure washer and every known chemical trying to get ground-in rubber out of the concrete. No, it did not come up. Sven years ago, still have black tire tracks all over the inside of the shop.

I understand the OPs anxiety. It is NOT wrong to want what we want.
(GW is the poster child for this thought process...)

Jeff-

**GregWeld** · #32 12-29-2012, 11:33 AM

I agree with the "bugs you" part.... and it'll drive you mad if you let it.

This slope is so gradual - that you'll never notice it... and if you're doing something that is critical that measurements be taken off the floor - it's easy to allow or adjust.

In the 8 years I've had my shop - I've only done one project that I used the floor to pull a tape from. My floor is flat like my first girlfriend.

However... I FULLY understand the dilemma! I fired the "crew" that was hired to put up my "kit" building - because I couldn't stand their fitment work. Even tough this hack stuff was going to be covered I still couldn't stand it. I would have known it was there and it would have driven me crazy.

I still don't think the slope is one of those things that if you forget about - will come back to you and say "dang! I should have spent X to fix that".

Although -- I replaced my lift because I couldn't stand it -- but that is something I use CONSTANTLY.... and I won't buy cheap or offshore tools because again - I use them and it bugs me. But the floor? I grind on it - I drag stuff across it because it's too heavy to lift - I hammer on it... it's just a big azz anvil - it gets dirty and I vacuum up the mess and that's it. It's just there to be used.

**Sieg** · #33 12-29-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perry Mitchell

I say, get over it. You will never notice it. You won't hang your shelves at that slope. The contractor performed his work per industry standards. 1/8'' per foot equals 1% which is minimal. Most contractors can't get it that flat when it is supposed to be level. My garage floor is sloped at 1% and it is not noticeable. I have a 4 post lift and two roll away tool boxes and nothing has rolled out the door yet. When you walk down the sidewalks in your town, you don't tip over do you? They are most likely sloped at 2% or 1/4'' per foot. Really, it won't be an issue for you. Sorry you guys didn't communicate better.

Agree.........and some day that slope may work in your favor. If they poured it "flat" it wouldn't be and your lifts and tables would still require some degree of shimming to achieve a true level.

John510 · #34 12-29-2012, 12:59 PM

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 · #35 12-30-2012, 06:33 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 · #36 12-30-2012, 01:17 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.

**Sieg** · #37 12-30-2012, 05:00 PM

Enjoy your new shop, the slope of that slab compared to other shop set-up details is insignificant.

Air lines, power & outlets, water supply, wash basin, vacuum, exhaust fans, lighting, insulation, heater(s), high gloss white paint, storage racks, cabinets, work benches, power tools.........the important stuff.

**GregWeld** · #38 12-30-2012, 05:35 PM

^^^^^^^ What he said!!!

uppster · #39 01-01-2013, 07:46 PM

What seems like an earth shattering event, will hardly be remembered next year. I say this from building experience.

wiedemab · #40 02-28-2013, 07:22 PM

Still a few things to wrap up.
-paint the exterior (when weather gets nicer)
-garage doors
-finalize electric service upgrade

I'll wire it, insulate, install the heat (radiant tube).

I've picked up quite a few goodies and tools, but I'll save those pics for later.

Stairs......

I'm going to finish out the upstairs too -- well finished out enough, not Greg Weld nice or anything!