Garage floor drains are a plumbing workhorse. They collect water, snow melt, salt, oil, dirt, sand, and anything washed off the garage floor. They are usually taken for granted–until they plug up. Keeping your floor drain running helps keep the floor clean and saves on concrete repairs.
Types Of Garage Floor Drains
Any type of garage floor drain can become clogged with dirt, grease, sawdust, leaves, pet hair, and any small tool you drop on the floor.
- Standard Floor Drain. Usually located in the middle of the garage with the concrete floor gently sloped toward it. 4” to 12” in diameter or rectangular.
- Trench Drain. Long, narrow, and rectangular. Usually running down the center of the garage floor or close to, and running parallel to the overhead door. Floors are sloped as required to drain water.
- French Drain. Constructed of perforated plastic pipe surrounded by gravel and covered with a grate. They are used in place of trench drains. The gravel is meant to prevent debris from entering the pipe and drain system.
- Interceptor Drain. A pit below the level of the garage floor collects water and debris before they can get into the drain proper.
Unclogging the Floor Drain
Regardless of your drain type, the unclogging procedure is the same.
- Remove the Grate. Remove the complete grate (trench grate) so you can clean the entire opening or trench.
- Remove Visible Debris. Remove any visible debris you can see and reach. Anything you get out won’t have to get through the clog.
- Hot Water. Don’t be shy. Pour a couple of gallons of hot water into the drain to soften grease. Be prepared to repeat two or three times. Do not use boiling water. You can crack pipes and joints using boiling water in a cold or freezing environment.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar. If the hot water did not loosen the clog, pour another quart of hot water into the drain. Pour a cup of baking soda into the drain followed by a quart of white vinegar. Let it bubble and fizz for at least 15 minutes before dumping another gallon of hot water down the drain.
- Plunger. If your drain opening is small enough to accommodate a plunger, you can try to loosen the clog before pouring in more water.
- Plumbing Snake. If your drain is still clogged, insert a plumbing snake. Turn the snake slowly as you push it through the clog to dislodge some or all of the material. Pour more water into the drain to make sure the clog is completely gone.
- Call a Professional. If you are unable to dislodge the clog, call a professional plumber to clear the drain. It will not get better if you just leave it.
