4 Types of Trench Drain Systems for a Yard

Trench drains are one of the most universally useful drain styles that you could ever install at your home or business. These drains can be used in a wide array of applications and are ideal for resolving issues with standing water, runoff, or even groundwater that can be present on a seasonal basis. There is no reason to put up with water on your property when trench drains are so affordable and easy to install.

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You might not be sure which kinds of applications are correct for trench drains, or maybe you are not sure if you have the space to install these kinds of drains. Trench drains can come in various sizes, be made of many different materials, and be customized to suit your specific needs with ease. We will discuss here some of the types of trench drain systems that you might want to add to your yard so that you can get a better idea of what these drains can do for you.

1.       Channel Drains

These drains are the most ideal for use in areas where you want to prevent water from pooling on surfaces or in spaces like your lawn. These kinds of drains can also be used near inground pools, by fountains or ponds, or in places where a space like your garage is lower than an area that naturally collects water. Keeping water off of impervious surfaces is just as important as keeping it from standing in your actual landscaping.

Channel drains are often installed in paved locations or at the edge of something like a walkway. If you have a pool or a fountain, these drains can be placed in the area where splashing and other kinds of overflow are most common. Channel drains are one of the most cost-effective solutions for this kind of problem, and they do not require a ton of alteration to your yard spaces to add them.

These drains are easy to connect to a catch basin or the local sewer system, and they are very discrete. This means that you will barely see them, and they will not be large enough to cause trouble with catching people&#;s feet or being in the way of rolling wheeled items across their surface. These kinds of drains can actually be used in industrial settings as well, so you can choose from a variety of materials for your drainage installation.

While it might not be necessary to pick from a really durable drainage solution material for your channel drain installation, there are many ways to be sure that your channel drains will be up to the task of handling caustic runoff along with rainwater and standing water. In breweries, these drains are used to remove standing water from areas that tend to collect acidic water related to the brewing process. At your home, a sturdy metal channel drain will last a very long time and will not require much upkeep.

2.       Traditional Trench Drain

This is the most common style of trench drain for use in a yard location. These drains can come in a wide array of sizes and configurations, and they can even be made to be custom-fitted to a specific need. A regular trench drain is an open trench that can collect a lot of water very rapidly when there is a need. The open trench will be covered by a grating which can be made from polymer, metal, or various other materials.

You will be able to install a regular trench drain quite easily in most yard locations. They can be added to spaces like the pool area or installed near a fountain as well. While it might sound like these drains will not be sleek and discrete, you can pick and choose from a wide array of cover styles to make them less obvious. You can even get custom covers that are stamped with designs that make the trench drain look like part of your outdoor landscaping décor.

Trench drains are a great solution if you have a lot of runoff during peak times of the season, and they can be quite large if need be. They are one of the most straightforward trench drain types to install and will not break the bank. Trench drains are also really ideal if you want to be able to control how much water is flowing into your drains and whether or not debris can get into the drain along with the water runoff.

Trench drain gratings and covers can be made in a wide array of orientations that will handle any volume of water runoff. When narrow slots are selected for the cover, heeled shoes will not slip into the grating covers, and less debris can get into the trench below the cover as well. This can be really ideal if you have a lot of tree debris that covers your yard every season or if you are worried about silt and soil being brought down into the drain with runoff from other parts of the yard.

A standard trench drain should not need much maintenance throughout the year. You should be able to clean out the drains twice a year by removing the gratings and sweeping out dirt and residue that has gotten into the drain. In some cases, you will need to clean out your drains more often, but this is not typically required in landscaping settings.

3.       French Drain

This is one of the most classic landscaping and yard drainage options that people choose for their property. While this drain is not ideal in all cases, it can be perfect for some locations. A French drain is essentially a trench drain that is not supported by a channel drain system or covered by a grating. The trench drain is dug, and then things like gravel and rock are used to fill in the drain. This provides a natural look but still allows water to flow into the trench and be collected at a location away from the area that was having issues with standing water.

French drains are not ideal for high volumes of water runoff or in situations where there is a lot of debris that comes along with the moisture that you are trying to clean up. However, in spaces where you are trying to maintain a natural appearance for your drainage solution, this kind of drain can be the best possible option for your needs. French drains are very simple to install, but not everyone should do the work for this kind of trench drain on their own. It can be very tempting to just dig a trench where you have seen standing water and fill it in with gravel and rock.

In most cases, the trench drain will need to be placed right where you see standing water, but in other cases, a French drain will need to be placed nearby but not right in the area that has been collecting water. Changing the grade of the area and making sure that the French drain has the right slope are both parts of the installation process when completed by professionals. Many homeowner-created French drains have to be corrected and moved slightly in order to make them work properly. In some cases, an improperly placed French drain can cause an entirely new area where water collects without attending to the original area where there was standing water.

One of the other things that you need to know about this kind of drain is that you need the right kind of rock products to make sure that the drain will work correctly. You cannot just throw in aomw large rock and call it good. There is a structure to these drains, just like there is a system that must be followed to install other kinds of trench drains. Being sure that you have the right textile fabric, gravel, and rock in place for your French drain is key to its usefulness.

4.       Radius Trench Drains

These kinds of drains are made to be curved, which makes them ideal for locations that are around pools, fountains, or curved walkways. There are many applications for this kind of drain that we have not mentioned, and you might need to have a curved drain in many different parts of your yard. These drains can be made to match any radius and are, by their nature, semi-custom installations.

This kind of drain will have the same system as a regular trench drain and will require slotted covers or gratings that are curved to match the shape of the drain. The installation is a bit more complex with these drains since excavation needs to be done correctly to match the shape of the drain. However, when you have an area of standing water that fits inside a curve due to a patio, a fence, or some other object that also has a curve, you will want to use a radius drain in these areas.

Radius drains can be a really elegant solution for a wide array of needs. These drains can also be made to work with decorative covers of various kinds and might also be covered with heel-proof slotted covers or wider slotted covers depending on the volume of runoff that your property sees at any given time.

Radius trench drains can also be made from a variety of reinforced or stronger materials to handle caustic or acidic runoff. This can be helpful in places where the runoff water is not completely free from these kinds of naturally-occurring challenges, but you might also utilize chemicals or other kinds of cleaning products in this area of your yard. These kinds of considerations can be discussed with an installation expert who will be able to help you create the right plan for your radius trench drain installation from start to finish.

5.       Utility Trench

Not every kind of trench drain is made to handle water runoff. In some cases, trench drains are made to provide a safe space for utilities and other kinds of cabling to pass under roadways or through landscaped areas. These trenches keep the utility connections and cabling dry and safe from being crushed under the weight of vehicles.

Utility trenches can also be built to be sloped, which allows water to run out of the bottom of the trench. There are lots of grating options for this kind of trench drain as well, so you will not need to worry about the trench being visible in ways that you do not want it to be. This is a heavy-duty kind of trench drain, but that does not mean that it is not a trench drain that requires a lot of excavation to install. The same process for installation is used to install a regular trench drain, so you will not need to plan for your yard to be torn up extensively to install this kind of drainage solution.

Just like with any other trench drain, this drain should be inspected and cared for at least once a year. This is the kind of drain that you will want to have an expert team look at every year. Being sure that all of the various kinds of utility needs of your home or business are being met is easy when you choose this kind of trench drain for your standing water or runoff problems.

Additional Items to Add to Your Drainage System
There are some other items that you might need to add to your trench drain installation. You might need catch basins to collect water before it is delivered to the sewer system. This is more common in industrial settings, but in some counties and cities, it might be a requirement for certain areas that have runoff that might alter the pH of the runoff that the municipality is protecting or treating for various purposes. These additions can be made from various kinds of materials and

At some properties, you can connect your trench drain system right to the sewer system, but you will usually need special fittings and connections that make the drainage system work correctly. These are often readily provided by the maker of your trench drain system, but in some cases, you might need to order custom connectors. Custom solutions are more typical when it comes to older drainage systems that are being joined to newer sewer outlets or if there is a catch basin or some other kind of collection point that then needs to empty into the main sewage outlet.

In situations where your drainage might be exposed to the weight of vehicles and other kinds of load-bearing challenges, you might need to select from different kinds of frames for your drainage solution. These drains can be made with fiberglass frames or with things like galvanized steel frames to ensure that nothing happens to your trench when a vehicle rolls over it. Knowing what kind of support the drain will need can require working with an installation expert. That is one of the benefits of having a skilled team handle your trench drain installation for you.

What Materials Can These Types of Drainage Systems Be Made of?
There are usually many options for the materials that your drainage system can be made of. You will typically be able to choose from aluminum, fiberglass, structural steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, or extruded rigid thermoplastic. Each of these kinds of materials are suitable for different environments, and choosing the right type of materials can be easy once you know more about the conditions that your trench drain will be exposed to. A skilled installer can also help you determine which of these materials is the right option for your unique needs.

There are various considerations that can impact the determination of which kind of trench drain material to use. Take the guesswork out by working with a skilled installer for your trench drain installation.

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Trench Drains Can be an Ideal Solution in Yards and Landscaped Spaces
If you are tired of looking at standing water in your yard or you are worried about water pooling against the foundation of your home, you need to consider installing a trench drain to handle this water problem. These are affordable and sturdy drains that come in various styles and designs. You can resolve your standing water problem with ease just by adding the right drainage, and a trench drain is often the most effective means of taking care of this problem.

If you are not sure what kind of trench drain is the right fit for your water issues, you will need to consider working with a skilled installation team. Experts can help you to plan your trench drain system, place it correctly, and choose the right materials for your location and unique situation. There are lots of ways to make discrete and effective trench drain systems for your yard. Dealing with standing water can be easy if you have the right trench drain solutions in place!

Buyers Guide

Overview

Buying a trench drain system can seem like a daunting task at first glance. Many factors are involved in choosing a trench drain system. Those factors include traffic load and type, grate classifications and environment. Also, there are many choices such as channel width, channel material, grate material, grate style, type of slope, load class, etc. Grates need to be chosen that will handle any special traffic such as bicycles, shoe heels and wheelchairs. These trench drain choices can lead to analysis paralysis, but taken one by one, choices can be narrowed to highlight the choice that is right for your application. The following information will help answer these questions.

First, a quick discussion about cost. It would be easy to scan a selection of trench drains and just choose the least expensive. As we say, &#;You only get to pour the concrete once&#;&#;. Quality trench drain systems suited for the correct purpose can be expensive. The consequences of choosing an inadequate trench drain can also be expensive because if the drain deteriorates it can become unsightly and may need to be replaced sooner than anticipated. On the flip side, over engineering the trench drain either by installing a larger drain than needed or higher grade than needed can be a waste of resources. Here at Trench Drain Supply we carry all of the major manufacturers and strive to help our customers purchase the correct trench drain system for their project requirements. Since we specialize in trench drains and know the ins and outs of each manufacturer, we can find the correct product for your application at the best price.

When calling our sales team for a quote, we have a series of questions we ask to narrow down the direction we need to take in order to choose the best system and quote for your application. Let&#;s walk through these steps.

1. Is this a new install or do you need replacement parts? (If replacement parts are needed, please check out the Grate Guy page on this website.)
2. Where will the trench drain system be installed? Public or private, residential or commercial?
3. What is the expected grade load class? Load Class A, B, C, D, E, or F?
4. Will pedestrians be using this application? Should it be ADA compliant, heel-proof safe, bicycle safe, or have a detectable grate?
5. How long a run will be required? How wide?
6. Is the bed sloped or is a pre-sloped channel needed? What is the longitudinal pavement slope?
7. What materials are most applicable for the system such as concrete or asphalt or pavers?
8. Will any unusual chemicals be drained?
9. Are there any catch basin or extra outlet requirements?
10. What is the outlet type? Vertical, horizontal, In-line catch basin, or catch basin.

Basic Concepts and Terminology

Purpose

The purpose of a trench drain system is to protect against damage to paved surfaces and surrounding areas related to water or chemical runoff. Systems consist of a trough or channel-shaped body which is used for the rapid evacuation of surface water or chemical spills.

Trench Drain System Categories

• Residential - These trench drain products are for homeowners and light duty projects.
• Commercial - These trench drain products are for businesses and heavy duty applications.
• Heavy Duty - These trench drains are designed for large water flow and/or heavy equipment.
• Shallow - This drain is a specialty drain used in areas where height and installation depth are an issue. Regular trench drains run from around 4 1/2&#; deep to upwards of 17&#; deep. Shallow trench drains run from 2 1/4&#; to 3 1/2&#; deep. Because of the height restrictions, shallow trench drains do not come in pre-sloped.
• Stainless Edge - These drains are hygienic, do not rust, and are easy to clean so they are great for use in kitchens and baths.
• Shower - Drains used in the construction of showers and baths are an exciting area of home improvement. They can give a tile shower enclosure a nice modern feel.
• Pool - Pool drains are typically made of plastic and have no metal. They are usually narrower than regular trench drains, have decorative plastic or aluminum grates and come in various widths.

Trench Drain Parts

The general parts of a trench drain system are:

1. Solid End Cap - These caps are attached to the end of the channel that have no opening to prevent water leakage.
2. Grate - A grate covers the channel and provides a surface for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Grates have classifications depending on the application.
3. Bottom Outlet - The bottom outlet has an opening that allows for drainage of the water from the channel.
4. End Outlet Cap - End outlet caps are attached to the end of the channel and have an opening for water drainage.
5. Channel - The channel is a manufactured bed that directs water flow.

There are two kinds of channels: neutral (no fall) and pre-sloped (linear fall).

There are two kinds of channels:(no fall) and(linear fall).

Every make and model comes in neutral, but not all types have a pre-sloped option. Pre-sloped means that the bottom of the trench drain becomes gradually deeper as the run progresses. This is very effective at driving the water downhill to the outlet or in the direction desired. This is achieved by making each channel in the trench drain run differently. Each channel has a number from 1 (the most shallow) to 10 (or 25 or 30 or 40) and must be installed as a series. Neutral channels have no slope and are a set depth with the bottom of the trench drain channel being the same depth on either end of the run. Water will flow to the outlet on a natural basis. These channels are used in shallow applications or where there is a sloped bed. Neutral channels can be combined with pre-sloped channels in a series to provide a run with desired results. They are easier to install because they can be installed in any order and easily accommodate any corners or connections.

Channels also come in a variety of width classes.
Manufacturers quote width in different ways. Some quote the width from the interior of the channel, some quote width from the exterior of the channel, and some quote the total &#;reveal&#; of the trench drain channel. What really matters is how much water can be moved. Trench Drain Supply has broken channel widths into classes to simplify this confusion. The classes are 2&#;, 3&#;, 4&#;, 6&#;, 8&#;, 12&#; and Over 12&#;. Putting them into classes gives the consumer an apples-to-apples ability to compare trench drain channels with similar characteristics.

Channels also come in a variety ofManufacturers quote width in different ways. Some quote the width from the interior of the channel, some quote width from the exterior of the channel, and some quote the total &#;reveal&#; of the trench drain channel. What really matters is how much water can be moved. Trench Drain Supply has broken channel widths into classes to simplify this confusion. The classes are 2&#;, 3&#;, 4&#;, 6&#;, 8&#;, 12&#; and Over 12&#;. Putting them into classes gives the consumer an apples-to-apples ability to compare trench drain channels with similar characteristics.

Grate Locks - Grate locks secure the grate to the channel with locks or connectors. These differ depending on manufacturer.

Grate Classifications

Current DIN/EN Load Classifications for trench drain grates are:

• A: Up to 3,372 pounds, for residential and light pedestrian traffic.
• B: Up to 28,100 pounds, for sidewalk and sell private parking lots.
• C: Up to 56,200 pounds, for parking lots and general commercial use.
• D: Up to 89,920 pounds, for trafficked sections of roads and highways.
• E: Up to 134,800 pounds, for industrial areas, gas stations, and light commercial forklifts.
• F: Up to 202,320 pounds, for aircraft pavements and docks.

Current ASME/ANSI Load Classifications for trench drain grates are:

• 6.1.1 &#; Light Duty - All grates having safe live load (as calculated in para. 6.2.5) under pounds.
• 6.1.2 &#; Medium Duty - All grates having safe live load (as calculated in para. 6.2.5) between pounds and pounds.
• 6.1.3 &#; Heavy Duty - All grates having safe live load (as calculated in para. 6.2.5) between pounds and pounds.
• 6.1.4 &#; Extra Heavy Duty - All grates having safe live load (as calculated in para. 6.2.5) between pounds and 10,000 pounds.
• 6.1.5 &#; Special Duty - All grates having safe live load (as calculated in para. 6.2.5) over 10,000 pounds shall be considered special and treated accordingly.

Wheelchair Accessability requires all grates follow ADA guidelines for safety and accessability. Wheelchairs should be able to manuveur over grating systems without difficulty.

Heel Proof means that a grate must not cause falls in pedestrian traffic. High heel shoes, which could get stuck in average grates, must be considered. Grates that have openings from 1/4&#; to 5/16&#; can be used to accommodate shoes with high heels.

Bicycle Traffic requires grates to be engineered and installed so that a bicycle wheel may not fall into a slot in the grate causing a crash. Replace existing grates (See A and B in figure below) or weld thin metal straps across the grate perpendicular to the direction of traffic (See C in figure below) is required. These should be checked periodically to ensure that the straps remain in place. Make sure that grates installed for bicycle traffic are installed flush with the road surface.

SHARED ROADWAYS FHWA COURSE ON BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN TRANSPORTATION, Section 18.8
FDOT Drainage Considerations for Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities

Decorative grates that will add architectural detail and design should be considered.

Hygienic grates are stainless steel grates and are the perfect choice for hygiene in locations such as kitchens and baths. Stainless steel will not rust or corrode and is easily cleaned.

Standards and Guidelines

There are several organizations that set the standards or guidelines for trench drain systems.
DIN (Deutsches Institut fur Normung E.V.) German Institute for Standardization is the German national organization for standardization. DIN is the only standard written specifically for trench drains and is internationally recognized. Current DIN/EN Load Classifications for trench drain grates are:

• A: Up to 3,372 pounds for pedestrians and cyclists.
• B: Up to 28,100 pounds for sidewalks, pedestrian areas and small parking lots.
• C: Up to 56,200 pounds for parking lots and general commercial use.
• D: Up to 89,920 pounds for roads and highways.
• E: Up to 134,800 pounds for industrial areas, gas stations, and loading dock facilities.
• F: Up to 202,320 pounds for airports and docks.

EN European Norms European Standards are specifications defining requirements for products, production processes, services or test-methods. These specifications are voluntary. They are developed by industry and businesses following some basic principles such as consensus, openness, transparency and non-discrimination. Specifications ensure compatibility and safety, reduce costs and help companies join in trade. European Standards are under the responsibility of the European Standardisation Organisations (CEN, CENELEC, ETSI). EN works in conjunction with DIN.

AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing highway and transportation departments in the United States. It represents five transportation modes: air, highways, public transportation, rail and marine. ASHTO has set standards for all phases of highway system development. Standards are issued for design, construction of highways and bridges, materials, and other technical areas.

ASME The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a not-for-profit membership organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, career enrichment, and skills development across all engineering disciplines, toward a goal of helping the global engineering community develop solutions to benefit lives and livelihoods. Standard A112.6.3 This Standard covers floor, area, adjustable floor, and trench drains that are used inside of, or outside and immediately adjacent to, building structures. This Standard specifies design requirements, definitions, nomenclature, outlet types and connections, grate-free area, top loading classifications, materials and finishes. Seam welded, socket type, stainless steel fabricated drains are covered in ASME A112.3.1.
Drain Standards A112.6 6.1 Loading Classifications Grates and top rims shall be designed to meet the following loading classifications:

• 6.1.1 &#; Light Duty - All grates having safe live load (as calculated in para. 6.2.5) under pounds.
• 6.1.2 &#; Medium Duty - All grates having safe live load (as calculated in para. 6.2.5) between pounds and pounds.
• 6.1.3 &#; Heavy Duty - All grates having safe live load (as calculated in para. 6.2.5) between pounds and pounds.
• 6.1.4 &#; Extra Heavy Duty - All grates having safe live load (as calculated in para. 6.2.5) between pounds and 10,000 pounds.
• 6.1.5 &#; Special Duty - Grates having safe live load (as calculated in para. 6.2.5) over 10,000 pounds shall be considered special and treated accordingly.

Heel-proof Standard ASME A112.6.3- [Revision of ASME A112.6.3- (R)] Floor and Trench Drains

ANSI American National Standards Institute A private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment system. This organization works with different entities to identify and develop standards for goods and services. ANSI works closely with ASME.

• All grates having safe live load (as calculated in paragraph 6.1.6 of the ANSI Standard) under 2,000 pounds are for pedestrian foot traffic only.
• All grates having safe live load (as calculated in paragraph 6.1.6 of the ANSI Standard) between 2,000 pounds and 4,999 pounds are for light pneumatic tire traffic, sidewalks, and residential parking.
• All grates having safe live load (as calculated in paragraph 6.1.6 of the ANSI Standard) between 5,000 pounds and 7,499 pounds are for Commercial Pneumatic tire traffic patterns and tractor trailers.
• All grates having safe live load (as calculated in paragraph 6.1.6 of the ANSI Standard) between 7,500 pounds and 10,000 pounds are for forklift traffic, roads and highways H-20 load rated.
• All grates having safe live load (as calculated in paragraph 6.1.6 of the ANSI Standard) over 10,000 pounds are for airport traffic.

ADA American Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. ADA Standards for Accessible Design 302.3 Openings. Openings in floor or ground surfaces shall not allow passage of a sphere more than 1/2&#; (13 mm) diameter except as allowed in 407.4.3, 409.4.3, 410.4, 810.5.3 and 810.10. Elongated openings shall be placed so that the long dimension is perpendicular to the dominant direction of travel.

Federal Government Standards (RR-F-621C) Strength Criteria for Cast Iron Items In Highway Drainage Structures This government publication discusses the standards and strengths of manholes and grates on highways.

Live Load Ratings

AASHTO's H-20 and HS-20 are live load ratings applied to the design of bridges or other suspended items (e.g., lids for concrete drains). H signifies 2 axial trucks weighing 20 tons; HS signifies 2 axial trucks with semi. An informative article on live load ratings can be found here: Live Load Ratings.

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