what is a trench drain used for

How Will the Trench Drain Be Used

• Chemical spills
• Water from cleaning machinery
• Leaking fluid-filled containers
• Precipitation at the loading bay
• Parking lot run-off

Full Answer

How do you install a trench drain?

A trench drain is a linear drainage application used to catch, collect and convey water from a starting location to and an outlet or catch basin. These linear drains are made up of primarily channels, end caps, end outlets, grates, catch basins and some other installation accessories.

What is the difference between Slot drains and trench drains?

A trench drain (also channel drain, line drain, slot drain, linear drain or strip drain) is a specific type of floor drain containing a dominant trough- or channel-shaped body. It is used for the rapid evacuation of surface water or for the containment of utility lines or chemical spills.

How to make trench drain?

Mar 23, 2018 · In its simplest form, a trench drain provides an elongated surface for water to drain from a specific area, such as a driveway, beneath an un-guttered roof edge, sidewalk or similar area where water tends to collect. It's essentially a gutter that is set into the ground.

How to dig a trench for drainage?

Apr 07, 2022 · Trench drains are used to help prevent flooding. A trench drain is a drain which is made by sinking a trench into the ground to collect water and runoff so that it can be shunted to other locations. Trench drains are among the most basic and ancient of drains, and they can be used in a wide variety of applications.

When would you use a trench drain?

Trench drains are generally considered as surface drains. These are perfect for channeling pooled water on the ground surface so that water will not seep through the very foundation of your home. This type of drain is preferred in areas of the home where the possibility of water pooling is high.Aug 30, 2018

How does trench drain work?

Trench Drains It has a grated covering that may look like guttering. Residential trench drains redirect water to keep it away from areas where it could cause damage, danger, or erosion. After it's laid, the trench drain is connected to a local storm sewer or waterway to keep the ecosystem intact.Feb 19, 2021

Can you use a trench drain in a yard?

Trench Drains and Lawn Drainage Besides, the water could flow to your house and cause structural damage. A well-designed perimeter trench drain system works very well in such cases by both draining your lawn and preventing excess water from entering the main structure of your home.Apr 13, 2020

How deep is trench drain?

French drain depth: About 8 inches to 2 feet deep should be sufficient for many water-diverting projects, though related systems, such as those built around foundations and sub-ground living spaces, as well as the bases of retaining walls, may be deeper.

How long is a trench drain?

Drain widths are typically 4" , 5" , 6" , 8" or 12" wide. Anything larger than 12" is usually overkill. They come in varying depths, with shallow profiles, deep profiles or pre sloped systems.

What's better French drain or trench drain?

French drains have toughness in common with trench drains since the French type must handle groundwater that's subject to hydrostatic pressure (the pressure water exerts due to the force of gravity). French drains are very effective at redirecting water away from structures and preventing damage to the foundation.Dec 4, 2019

Why do trench drains fail?

There are common reasons as to why and how a trench drain system can fail. Most often those reasons consist of poor maintenance, incorrect or improper drain system, grating, and/or installation for the application.Nov 30, 2021

How much is a trench drain?

The Cost To Install A Trench Drain For these reasons, trench drains can range in cost between $30 per linear foot to $150 per linear foot.Aug 25, 2015

How do I treat drainage in my lawn?

How to Fix a Waterlogged LawnAeration. Aerating the lawn will help to improve drainage and will add air into the soil which will improve the conditions for the grass roots to live in. ... Moss Killer & Fertiliser. ... Dig A French Drain. ... Choose Permeable Paths & Patios. ... Dig A Ditch. ... Plant A Bog Garden. ... Over-Seeding. ... Collect Rainwater.More items...

How do you dig a trench for drainage?

0:032:27Tips For Hand Digging French Drain Pipe, by Apple Drains - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd difficult task. You can hurt your back quite easily. If you notice we're digging backwards inMoreAnd difficult task. You can hurt your back quite easily. If you notice we're digging backwards in other words we work backwards through our trench. You don't have to jump on the shovel.

Do trench drains need to be vented?

The two most important things to remember with indoor trench drains are: 1 – Both the floor leading to the drain, and the drain body itself must have sufficient slope to properly drain. 2 – Since they tie into the sanitary sewer system, they still need to have a proper p-trap, and vent.

Does a French drain need an exit?

0:091:32A French Drain Done Right Does Not Need Inlet Drain to Take in Surface ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFrom ever getting into the French drain system and it'll never need any maintenance. It. Does notMoreFrom ever getting into the French drain system and it'll never need any maintenance. It. Does not need surface drains a true French drain does not need surface Inlet drains.

What Is a Trench Drain System?

A trench drain system is an elongated drainage system used to remove excess surface water from an area, by use of a drainage channel, covered with a grate. They are placed just below the ground and come in several different styles and materials.

The Different Types of Trench Drains

There are two common types of trench drain systems: pre-cast and cast in place. Let’s take a look at each one.

Applications

There are several applications of how commercial trench drains are used. Here’s a list of possible places a trench drain system is helpful on a commercial property:

The Role of the Grate

Once installed, the trench drain is covered with a grate. Grates protect the trench from accumulating large objects and debris, and they also protect vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians from walking or rolling into a trench drain. Grates must meet the required load class needed, just as the trench itself does.

What is trench drain?

In its simplest form, a trench drain provides an elongated surface for water to drain from a specific area, such as a driveway, beneath an un-guttered roof edge, sidewalk or similar area where water tends to collect. It's essentially a gutter that is set into the ground.

Is trench drain good for driveway?

When it comes to draining driveways or outdoor areas, trench drain provides an excellent option to remove excess water from an area. However, it's one option that many of our customers aren't aware of. Here's a quick overview of the technology, where it's best applied and the installation process that's involved in adding it to your system.

Where are trench drains used?

The use of trench drains in construction began with the commission by the British Airports Authority of a company called Gatic. Airports were in need of a form of trench drainage with fewer movable parts and less tendency to collapse under heavy traffic than the traditional trench drain gratings. Gatic designed and engineered the first stainless steel slot drain, and it was installed first at Stansted Airport in the United Kingdom, following which it was specified at Britain’s most famous airport – Heathrow. These airports continue to use stainless steel slot drainage both airside and landside for surface water drainage requirements.

What is trench drain?

A trench drain (also channel drain, line drain, slot drain, linear drain or strip drain) is a specific type of floor drain containing a dominant trough- or channel-shaped body. It is used for the rapid evacuation of surface water or for the containment of utility lines or chemical spills. Employing a solid cover or grating ...

How deep is a trench drain?

Channels can range from 1 inch (25 mm) to 2 feet in width, with depths that can reach 4 feet (120 cm). Trench drains are commonly confused with French drains, which consist of a perforated pipe that is buried in a gravel bed, and which are used to evacuate ground water. A slot drain, also wrongly associated with a trench drain, ...

What is a slot drain?

A slot drain, also wrongly associated with a trench drain, consists of a drainage pipe with a thin neck (or slot) that opens at the ground surface with sufficient opening to drain storm water.

How are precast trench drains made?

Pre-cast trench drains are made in a factory that specializes in making concrete shapes. The channel pieces range in width and length, larger channels requiring heavy equipment to move them, however most channels can be picked up and moved easily by hand. The channels are formed in large metal forms that (usually) have a pre-determined channel width, depth, and slope. Like in the cast-in-place method, a metal frame is attached to the form and concrete is poured and finished in a factory atmosphere. The advantage to the pre-cast trench drain is again time savings—big time savings at the job site. Pre-cast trench drains made of a polymer concrete are also more sturdy and reliable than cast-in-place trenches. Once a trough is dug, the pre-cast trench sections can be installed and quickly be put into service through numerous methods. A patty method can be used by placing clumps of concrete at each trench drain channel joint and the channels can be levelled and set as such. Further installation methods involve clipping rebar through installation device used with the channel. Concrete will need to be poured to surround the trench drain so that the load can be transferred from the channel and grate to the surrounding areas.

What is a liner system?

Made from materials such as polymer concrete, fiberglass, structural plastic and steel, liner systems are the channel and grate components that are assembled in the trench and around which concrete is poured to form a drain system.

What is a concrete form made of?

Rather than wood, the forms are made of lightweight expanded polystyrene (EPS) or cardboard. The forms attach to a prefabricated frame and grate system that can then be easily set in the trough and aligned for the pouring of concrete. And, like the cast-in-place method, the form is removed after the concrete has dried.

How Will the Trench Drain Be Used

Any warehouse or factory using liquids in any form needs an industrial trench drain system. Trench drains are used to control the spread of fluids. The first step in choosing the right trench drain is understanding what you need it for. Here’s a list of some fluids that may need to be contained by a trench drain.

Peak Flow

For industrial use, water flow usually varies depending on the day and time. It’s not as predictable as when a trench drain is used at a pool or a shower. Emptying large containers or cleaning large machinery creates a sudden need for quick excess water control.

Grate Material and Pan

The pan and grate are chosen according to the weight they must bear. Light duty is safe for lighter traffic, but in many industrial situations where heavy equipment or machinery may be moving over the trench drain, heavy duty is required.

Determine Slope

The slope of a trench drain determines how fast fluids flow. Before choosing an industrial trench drain, you must understand the necessary slope.

Calculate Width

The width of a trench drain plays a major role in determining the amount of volume the drain can handle. The following formula is used to determine width:

What material is used for trench drains?

Trench drain materials range from plastics like polypropylene to concrete, while the grating which covers them can be plastic or steel. If a trench drain will be a permanent fixture, home or business owners can tailor the grating color to better suit its surroundings.

What is the difference between a trench drain and a French drain?

The defining difference is very simple, however: Trench drains are surface structures while French drains are subsurface ones. Let’s look at how they both work to keep water flowing offsite.

What is a trench and French style?

Trench and French styles are two effective approaches to move water offsite, but the difference between them is often misunderstood.

How deep is a French drain?

Their dimensions are site-dependent, but French drains are typically around a foot wide and can range in depth from inches to a couple of feet.

What is a French drain?

French drains are subsurface solutions consisting of a trench filled with gravel and a slotted or perforated pipe. A layer of protective, permeable fabric is placed along the bottom and sides of the trench after it has been dug to prevent soil and root intrusion and on top before the topsoil is replaced. Just like a trench drain, French drains ...

What is the first step to digging a trench?

The first step to digging any trench is to research the lay of the land on factors like soil quality, utility line placement, and what permits are required at the local and/or state level.

Who invented the French drain?

French drains are actually an American innovation, invented in the 19th century by a New England farmer named Henry Flagg French. He was the author of “Farm Drainage,” a book published in 1859 and widely considered to be the root of the entire science of drainage.

What is the purpose of a drain?

The purpose of a drain is to direct pooling surface and subsurface water where you need it to go. Having a drain pipe, most commonly a 4" or 6" perforated pipe surrounded by round drain rock provides the capacity to move this water away from structures and prevent pooling.

What happens when a drain is flat?

No Slope: When the pipe is completely flat, water requires more energy to move through the drain. Zero slope systems will not allow sub-surface water to drain properly.#N#Low Spots: Be mindful to avoid low spots or dips in your trench. Pooling can occur, increasing the retained water within the drainage line. This kind of pooling can be extremely problematic as it attracts one of the most detrimental things to drains... tree roots. Tree roots naturally seek out moisture in order to promote growth and are attracted to the standing water in your drain. Once roots enter the system they will block flow and reduce effectiveness.#N#A properly built French drain that has low spots and retains water will NOT stop tree roots. These roots can and will gradually grow through the fabric destroying the integrity of your system as they seek moisture. Its important that all of the water is able to dissipate, avoiding the invasion of roots, vermin, and bugs.#N#Negative Slope: A less common but still undesirable pipe position is when the trench and/or pipe has a negative grade. This condition makes it impossible for water to flow through the pipe. The water table in the ground has to rise to a high enough level of saturation in order for it to flow through the system. Negative slope in your drainage pipe is bad if the goal is to drain away from a building as the negative slope can draw water back towards a structure or foundation, making things worse.#N#Good Slope: Greater than 1% grade slope is ideal for your trench. This will allow water to drain away from the inlet and ensure gravity does all the work to distribute it along your drain lines.

What is woven fabric?

Woven landscape fabrics typically have a greater pull strength, but in general do not provide a high flow rate, making for poor drainage. Woven fabrics are commonly found as ground cover for weeds, and also under gravel driveway and paved road construction where strength is needed.

Can gutters drain into the ground?

It is not uncommon to have gutter downspouts drain directly into an in -ground drainage field. A drain system can be overwhelmed with incoming water during heavy rain, or sheet rain, causing a flood of water to enter the drainage system.

Can you use a sock wrapped drain pipe?

If round rock stone isn't available in your area and crushed stone is the only practical option then its recommended to use a sock wrapped drainpipe.#N#The sock material will prevent the fines from the crushed rock from clogging up the inlet holes in your perforated or slotted pipe.

What Is A Trench Drain System?

• A trench drain system is an elongated drainage system used to remove excess surface water from an area, by use of a drainage channel, covered with a grate. They are placed just below the ground and come in several different styles and materials.

See more on abtdrains.com

The Different Types of Trench Drains

Applications

The Role of The Grate