Some of us love the rain. It can be calming, and it can be soothing. Unfortunately, it can also easily damage your outdoor spaces. All it takes is a common installation for a channel drainage system to combat this. Although it seems simple, it may be best not to consider this your next weekend DIY project. While possible, trust us, it can become a mess in no time! It’s akin to how cooking pasta is simple, easy in concept hard to master.
So, what is it exactly?
Known to have more names than it needs, such as linear drainage or even a trench drain, channel drainage systems basically take the excess water off the area and transport it towards the proper drainage system. If you’re wondering what happens without the appropriate type of channel drainage, you’ll quickly see it after a big rainfall. You’ll have water pools showing up, eventually creating warped, uneven surfaces. In addition, it may seep into and flood other parts of your home or commercial property.
Don’t worry at all because, as we said, all you need to do is focus on getting a proper installation. A professional knows where to look, has seen disasters themselves, and can close any pain points. They will know where to place the channel drainage, put it on a slope, and ensure that it’s connected to the overall drainage system. Again, seems simple, but missing just one of these can become a headache in no time. You’re also helping to prevent the headache of soil erosion.
What are some other areas to consider?
When it comes to channel drainage, you have numerous options. In some cases, if the load isn’t an issue, you can easily use low-cost plastic for the channel drainage. On the flipside, if you’re going to place this in a commercial location with constant traffic, you can use steel to handle it without a problem. Give your installer a heads up of the overall situation, so they know how to build it out for you.
For those who love choices, it’s also completely customizable, as the grates can be cut down to size and built to ensure connection to the drainage below.
Issues that can arise with channel drainage
Sadly, even with simplicity comes potential complications and issues with your channel drainage system. Usually, the culprit comes from something not clarified during installation. There’s a bit of math to handle to get the proper pitch and slope, or nature and gravity will not let it work.
In addition, your sidewalk can accidentally become a dam and cause flooding, or a downspout never being installed in the first place can also cause channel drainage issues.
