How to Install a Floor Drain in a Concrete Slab

Having a floor drain in the garage or in your basement can come in handy for quick cleanup if you have spilled any water or if the area is prone to flooding. This can also come in handy for when it’s too cold to wash something outdoors and you prefer to do it inside and then want to simply push the water toward the drain to clean your space. Don’t call a general contractor or handyman to install this for you – it’s simple and with the right tools you can handle it yourself.

Prepare Your Space.

While it’s easiest to install a floor drain prior to pouring your cement, you can do it after the floor has been set. Decide what kind of materials you will have entering the drain and if you need and special permits for hazardous materials. If you will have just water entering the drain you can connect it to your sewer or septic system.

Plan Drainage.

New floors are easier to plan, as you can lay out the pipes in place and then install the floor over top. Use a trap to make sure that cleaning your drain is as easy as possible. If you have an existing floor you will need to break through the concrete to install the pipes using heavy machinery.

Dig Trenches.

Always call to have your utilities marked before doing any digging so you don’t accidentally hit a line. You can dig by hand or with a backhoe to create a trench for the pipe from the drain to lay in. Lay your piping and attach to your septic or sewer.

Pour New Concrete.

Make sure you place a can upside down over where you want your drain to be so that you don’t accidentally concrete over it. A coffee can works great for this. Mix your concrete and smooth it with a trowel. Make sure you bevel the area around the drain spot so that the water won’t pool and will instead easily drain into it.

Add a Drain Cover.

This is the final step and quite easy to do. Remove the coffee can from the concrete once it has set and add a trap and drain cover to complete your work.

Now you are ready for anything that life throws at you! If you have taken your time to guarantee a smooth finish on the concrete and a beveled edge around the actual drain then you should have no problems with standing water on your new floor.