Trench and Channel Drains

By Michael Martin

Water buildup can ruin a lawn, garden, or home’s foundation. In some cases poor drainage can result in internal flooding. A good trench and channel drainage system moves water away from your home or lawn, and out to the city’s waste water system or other drainage area.

Your home is one of your main investments and protecting it from water damage is important. Trench and channel drains are built into the ground and carry water away from your home by way of an underground channel.

A trench drain is a C-Channel half-pipe made of steel or durable plastic. They are usually about three to six inches in diameter, but can be as wide as two feet. The channel will have a flat grated top. Water flows into the drain through the grate, and flows away from the home through the channel. The entire drain is mounted underground at surface or slightly below the surface level to catch any water before entering your home.

These professional looking drains are great for patios, driveways, doorways, and areas where water is built up near your home’s foundation. They are an excellent addition to your home’s overall drainage system. A trench and channel drain at the point of gutter down-spouts will carry water away from your home without an unsightly over the ground channel.

Keep water from entering your garage by using a trench drain in front of your garage door. They can also keep you from having an unsafe water buildup at your building’s entrance or stairways.

A great looking trench drain system will keep your basement dry. If your basement windows currently show signs of rotting or water damage, you are already having some water runoff problems.

Trench drains come in a variety of styles and colors so that you can be sure to find a design to match your home’s decor. These drains are preformed and are set in concrete in an excavated trench. Once installed, they are virtually maintenance free.