4 Places To Install Trench Drain

Pools – Spas – Patios

Pool/Spa and patio drains are grouped because of their similarities.  Plastic channels and grates are standard, both for economic and practical reasons. These trench drains only handle water flow from their respective areas, which are typically flat surfaces, and offer bottom or end outlets. Neither is designed for a high volume of water so they tend to be 4″ wide or less.

A longstanding problem that homeowners face with patio drains is how they affect the aesthetics of the patio. No one wants to spend thousands of dollars on a beautiful concrete or paver patio only to have a drain standing front and center. 

Thankfully, many systems are beginning to offer decorative grating for trench drains.  TDS™ offers beautiful bronze and aluminum options. While NDS® came out with decorative plastic grating. Iron Age Designs makes decorative cast iron grates to fit many patio drain systems to give any project that upscale look. 

Driveway

When a driveway slopes toward the house foundation or straight into the garage, it is a good indicator that future flood mediation will be needed. A good remedy for this is a floor drain. However, floor drains have a relatively small open surface area and require seasonal cleaning to avoid clogging from debris. A trench drain on the other hand, nearly stretches across the entire driveway which effectively stops the water flow before it can harm your basement, foundation, or nearby structures.

A pre-sloped system is the standard in driveway drains. Their widths and slopes allow the systems to evacuate a large amount of water rapidly. There are a variety of cast iron grates available to fit the 6″ systems, including decorative cast iron grates which allow the same water flow as standard slotted grates.

Downspouts

Downspouts are a tricky topic. Some downspouts flow into driveways which redirects the problem to that area. Others drain right into the ground and have the potential to saturate the soil, causing erosion, killing shrubs, and potentially weakening a house’s foundation.

There are basically two ways to remedy a downspout drainage problem. The first is to install a French drain or similar product to catch downspout water and slowly filter it into the surrounding soil. This eliminates much of the pooling and damage you’ll get from a sudden storm. However, this method can be ineffective if installed improperly or if there is too much water for the system’s capacity.

Your second option is to install a catch basin in the area.  A catch basin holds a small reservoir of water and carries it away from the downspout site through piping.  If placed beneath the downspout, it prevents water from ever reaching the soil. The reservoir at the bottom of the drain allows any extraneous debris to settle to the bottom where it can be removed later. Be sure to have a plan in place to clear debris periodically to avoid the system being blocked.