make Inclined garage floor flat? why this dip in front of the house?
#1
11-10-20, 04:05 PM
make Inclined garage floor flat? why this dip in front of the house?
That's Jersey City, NJ - garage on the ground floor of the building. My dream is to remove the partitioning wall between the unfinished basement and garage and level the floor level - but first I would like to understand why was the whole line of houses build this wall, with this ~6 inch dip in front of garage door and 6 inches over 40ft of tandem garage length?
I understand that changing the outside of the house could be tricky and I might end up with permanent or removable ramps.
I understand that changing the outside of the house could be tricky and I might end up with permanent or removable ramps.
#2
11-10-20, 04:31 PM
Group Moderator
You think that's bad, you should see some of the houses in Kearny in neighborhoods around the Passaic. I'm surprised some cars can even make it out of their garages... or that the garages don't flood! As for why yours is the way it is, my guess is that the city planners probably dictated the elevations of the building, the street, the sidewalk, or all 3... and not necessarily in that order. Or maybe it was just the lay of the land... or if it was excavated, maybe it was a way the builder made a few extra bucks, since fill dirt is probably at a premium around there.
At any rate, I doubt your plan is a good idea, since raising the garage floor would mean raising the header over the the garage door, (and it might already be as high as it can go) getting into the brick facade, etc.
At any rate, I doubt your plan is a good idea, since raising the garage floor would mean raising the header over the the garage door, (and it might already be as high as it can go) getting into the brick facade, etc.
#3
11-11-20, 05:19 AM
Group Moderator
I think they realized the potential for water problems. The slope inside the garage is to drain any water from vehicles out the door and to help contain flood water to the front of the garage.
I honestly don't think there is a lot you can do and still be financially viable or without loosing the garage. Sure you can level the garage floor but then it wouldn't be as much use as a garage. Raising the front near the door is the easiest way and would impact the clearance height of the door. Plus a wood floor is possibly the easiest way to raise it which would preclude parking cars in there. Another option is to lower the front of the garage which would require busting out the concrete and excavating. Then you need to seriously consider future water problems because you have a big ramp out front feeding water directly at that area and you haven't been doing a good job keeping the drain clean/clear. In your photo I can seed the sand & dirt blocking part of the drain.
I honestly don't think there is a lot you can do and still be financially viable or without loosing the garage. Sure you can level the garage floor but then it wouldn't be as much use as a garage. Raising the front near the door is the easiest way and would impact the clearance height of the door. Plus a wood floor is possibly the easiest way to raise it which would preclude parking cars in there. Another option is to lower the front of the garage which would require busting out the concrete and excavating. Then you need to seriously consider future water problems because you have a big ramp out front feeding water directly at that area and you haven't been doing a good job keeping the drain clean/clear. In your photo I can seed the sand & dirt blocking part of the drain.
