Many car owners who have their own garage use it not only as a parking lot for the car, but also for repairing it. To carry out the latter, you must have a viewing hole, which you can make yourself.
Calculation of the dimensions of the inspection pit
The width of the cavity depends on the size of the vehicle. The standard size is considered to be 75-80 cm, for some cars it can be 70 cm, but it is already impractical to do it due to the crowding that occurs. Also, do not expand it unnecessarily - it is recommended to leave 20 cm between the edges and the line of the side wheels for maneuvers. However, the parameter increases significantly if the garage is built for a truck, and is calculated by subtracting 40 cm left on both sides from the width of the vehicle.
The depth of the inspection hole should take into account the growth of the garage owner, while the floor will be approximately at the level of his eyes - so when carrying out repairs you will not have to bend down, at the same time all the details of the car will be clearly visible. It is better to make the pit deeper, since if necessary (buying a garage by a taller person, calling a third-party master with a larger height) it is easier to raise the level of its bottom by filling in earth or installing an elevating support than to stand in a bent position.
The optimal length of the inspection pit exceeds the length of the car by at least half a meter, however, if there is not enough space or there is a nearby cellar, it can be made smaller, but to repair the front and rear of the vehicle, you will have to change the location of the car.
Digging and arrangement of a viewing pit
Having decided on the dimensions of the recess, you need to find the correct location for it in the garage. It is desirable that it is not located in the center, but shifted to one wall. This leaves more space against the other wall, which can be spent on installing shelves. After the inspection hole has been dug, it will have to be reinforced with concrete. To do this, you can use flat slate sheets, which are placed in widths of 75-80 cm and are fixed with wooden slats, sawn in advance and driven between them.
Large stones must be removed from the concrete mixture - accumulating in one place, they can spill out and deform the wall. The concrete is poured to a height of one meter, since niches for tools and fluorescent lamps are provided at about this level. These openings are made by inserting wooden frames.
After completing the concrete pouring and having waited several days before it hardens, its edges should be strengthened. For this, a metal frame is installed, welded from iron strips and corners. In order to avoid damage to the rubber of the wheels, it should be located at the level of the garage floor or slightly lower. The floor of the inspection pit must also be filled with concrete, otherwise the bottom of the car will be constantly damp, the top of the inspection pit is covered with boards. It is better to whitewash its walls - it will be lighter this way.
