Thinking about a build on to the garage..

Redcar GUY · 12-14-03, 01:50

As had as it may be to believe I am thinking about adding on to the garage, I want a dedicated detailing stall that I don’t have to worry about getting things wet or keeping it so clean you can eat off the floor. Don’t get me wrong I like the garage I have but to keep it so clean and having to move cars out to detail is a PITA. I have room on the west side of the current garage to build on a little. I am thinking about adding on one bay that from the outside it looks like the rest of the garage and on the inside it will be set up just for detailing. Metal walls and a floor with a big drain and supper insulated so that in the winter a quick was is no biggie with a small gas heater going. Then when I am not using it to detail I can park one of our cars in it. Then with that I can work on the other side of the garage (current garage) to make it more “pretty” and just for parking in (no dirty work, OIL, washing, other mechanic work) So the current garage will stay the same but the add on will be almost like a “lean to” or just adding a bay to one side. The current west wall will stay and there already is a door that I would use to get to one side to the other. Then on the “wash” side of the wall I will cover the walls and ceiling with metal like barns have. I have it all in my head as of now but I think in the next year or so this may come to a head. so what are your ideas?

Accumulator · 12-14-03, 03:12

Sounds like a good idea, but I dunno about the metal walls and ceiling. Sounds like the wrong way to go where you're talking about wet work. I have white fiberglass reinforced plastic ("FRP") on the lower portions of my walls and bright white paint above that.

As I was saying on the other garage thread (PrinzII's), I really like having a trench-style drain in my wash area. Works a lot better than any of the "regular" floor drains I had in other garages.

Redcar GUY · 12-14-03, 03:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Accumulator
Sounds like a good idea, but I dunno about the metal walls and ceiling. Sounds like the wrong way to go where you're talking about wet work. I have white fiberglass reinforced plastic ("FRP") on the lower portions of my walls and bright white paint above that.

As I was saying on the other garage thread (PrinzII's), I really like having a trench-style drain in my wash area. Works a lot better than any of the "regular" floor drains I had in other garages.

About the metal... Do you think it is going to rust?

and the drain... I want to be able to use a creeper and jack stands in this part so I am going to have to think abou that alot.

Jimmy Buffit · 12-14-03, 03:20

Does local code allow for a drain in a residential garage? Most don't.

Working in all seasons? Insulated walls allow for some degree of climate control.

Food for thought.
I know you'll end up with the "bomb"

Jim

Redcar GUY · 12-14-03, 03:24

Quote:

Originally posted by jimamary
Does local code allow for a drain in a residential garage? Most don't.

No I want to put in a sump style, with a big tile like drain that will go to a holding tank then it to the ground over time

Working in all seasons? Insulated walls allow for some degree of climate control.

[i]Yes I have INS walls now, but I want it hot int he winter[i/]

Accumulator · 12-15-03, 07:17

Quote:

Originally posted by Redcar GUY
About the metal... Do you think it is going to rust?

and the drain... I want to be able to use a creeper and jack stands in this part so I am going to have to think abou that alot.

Yeah, I WAS thinking the metal would eventually start rusting. Every place something penetrates it (like to affix it to the walls), that's gonna be a potential rust spot. It also might not be the kind of surface you'd want for other reasons (like how does it retain hot/cold, how is it with noise, etc.). You can get VERY good, reflective surfaces many other ways, and most of them strike me as being lower maintenance in the long run.

Whatever sort of drain you go with, make sure it's gonna be easy to maintain/clean out. And be sure to have the inspector sign off on whatever you're using beforehand! In my case, I ended up going with a commercial-style oil separator with a dedicated catch tank.

Iconoclast · 12-15-03, 08:18

Quote:

Originally posted by Redcar GUY
No I want to put in a sump style, with a big tile like drain that will go to a holding tank then it to the ground over time

That sounds like some sort of gray-water septic system. I think such a sytem would be governed by local building codes and ordinaces also. Additionally regulators might view that as a septic system, requiring a perc test, certified installation, etc.

Redcar GUY · 12-15-03, 02:12

Quote:

Originally posted by Iconoclast
That sounds like some sort of gray-water septic system. I think such a sytem would be governed by local building codes and ordinaces also. Additionally regulators might view that as a septic system, requiring a perc test, certified installation, etc.

Ya It is hard to get any kind of drain in a garage these days, I have a few "connections" that may help my problem

But I cannot hook on to the sewer because of the way the house sits, I would have to dig all around the house to get it done, not a choice.

Man, you would think we were dumping all kinds of stuff down the drains in garages as strict as they are, and to think what most of us flush daily and I want to get rid of a little soapy water lol

rnbradford · 12-15-03, 03:00

This may be the answer for you but may work for others following this thread. I ran plastic coated cables from wall to wall in my two-car garage. Used turnbuckles to make sure I could string them tight enough. Then hung shower curtains (12 total) from the cables so that the walls and everything along the walls is protected from water. Only the garage door end is unprotected. When I want to wash the car in the garage I simply "close" the curtains creating a shower stall in the center of the garage. When I am not washing, I simply "open" the curtains. They take up no more than two feet of space at the ends of the cables and could even be removed if desired. I have used this system a few times and have not encountered any problems. There is also plenty of room. The water simply drains along the slope of the floor out the door. It might not be as ideal for a taller person since the cables run at about 6'2" above the floor.

bet993 · 12-16-03, 07:42

Quote:

Originally posted by Redcar GUY
Ya It is hard to get any kind of drain in a garage these days, I have a few "connections" that may help my problem

..snipped...

Man, you would think we were dumping all kinds of stuff down the drains in garages as strict as they are, and to think what most of us flush daily and I want to get rid of a little soapy water lol

The problem is fear of things such as gasoline, oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, industrial cleaners, etc.

That said I just finished building a house in March. I had a floor drain installed in the garage. No issues or problems. I had always heard it was very difficult to get approved. My builder had no problems. Maybe my area is really easy on the regulations and/or requirements

chaotik · 12-30-03, 10:37

Use the hard plastic sheets on the walls.....my local quater wash place has them installed instead of just looking at the cinder block