<VV> Re: Garage Ideas - Futures

[Mark Corbin]

Speaking of garage floors, I've heard it said by several fellow hobbyists
that radiant heat thru the floor (via pipes) is a great idea.

-Mark


> [Original Message]
> Subject: <VV> Re: Garage Ideas - Futures
>
> Since it is a lot easier to put stuff under concrete floors before you 
> pour them it may be worth it to note that, perhaps depending upon where 
> you live and your code requirements, some leeway is often given for 
> planning for future expansion, expansion of things like the electrical 
> and plumbing systems and footings for an overhead hoist -- check with 
> your inspector and see if now is a good time to lay that conduit and the 
> supply and drain pipes (hand wash sink, dishwasher for parts cleaning, 
> shower, etc) even though it only goes to the edge of the slab.  And, 
> while you are doing that slab, since there will probably be at least a 
> little left over concrete, pour those outside pads for the air 
> compressor and the heat pump -- okay, you may never use them, but you'll 
> find them useful for something else, say a tire machine outside, out of 
> the way ... someday.
>
> Painted floors really look cool, and if you are very careful about what 
> you do, they hold up fairly well. I've worked in a commercial shop with 
> them, and the only thing I can say is the cheap (relatively) floor paint 
> actually held up better than the expensive epoxy stuff did.  My 
> preference is for a very good smooth finish job on the concrete followed 
> by a sealer while still wet -- this is how many concrete finishers do it 
> these days anyhow.  Makes for a dust free painted like floor, without 
> the upkeep of the paint.  Nice smooth floors can be slick (keep them 
> clean!), but they are also easier to keep clean and stuff like floor 
> jacks and rollaway roll around on them a lot better. Vinyl tiles might 
> also be worth consideration.
>
> Several guys have mentioned 100 amp service panels -- why not 200?  
> Well, the supply to that panel can get expensive with today's prices for 
> copper and how far you have to run it, but remember, like horsepower, 
> more is better!  Just a matter of how fast can you afford to go ...
>
> Godspeed!
>
> Bill S