Trench drainage plays an essential role in maintaining the functionality and safety of a residential property. Proper trench drainage is very useful in channeling water to where it can drain away from the property.
Trench grates play a dual role. They are functional in keeping drainage trenches covered. They ensure that people, pets and vehicles do not get stuck in trench drains. Grates play a secondary role in providing an aesthetic value on the property.
Trench drainage is very versatile. It can be deployed at different sites on a residential property. They work well anywhere you want to drain away water from a large surface. This surface could be your garage floor, the area around the pool, or front lawn.
Wherever you use trench drains; you have to cover them with the appropriate trench grates. You can create different appeals by varying the trench grates’ designs, colors and motifs. For example, you can install stone trench grates on the walkway, and fiberglass grates around the pool. Where do trench grates fit in a residential property?
Around your Pool and Patio
Trench drainage around the pool helps channel water spilling from the pool away from the area around the pool. This drainage also prevents dirty water from spilling back into the pool. When it rains, the drainage prevents stormwater from draining into the pool. Trench grates for this area need to be water resistant and slip resistant, such as Jonite trench grates.
Pool and patio drainage systems are very effective in keeping the area around the pool clean and dry, even when there are many swimmers in the pool. Your pool stays cleaner for longer, because dirty water is kept away.
Along the Driveway
Installing trench drains along the edges of the driveway helps keep the driveway dry and reduces erosion of the driveway’s surface. You can install them as a buffer between the lawn and the driveway to prevent water draining from the driveway going into the lawn.
Trench drains are also useful along the driveway in keeping pedestrians safe. Drains prevent water from pooling and presenting a slip hazard on the pedestrian path along the driveway. Walking remains comfortable because there are no mud splashes.
Consider pre-sloped trench grates to help quickly evacuate large water volumes during a storm. Also, don’t forget to factor in the weight of your automobile when you’re selecting trench grates. You need sturdy options that won’t cave in.
Stone trench grates can also work well for this space. They are slip resistant, and comfortable to walk on when wet.
Beneath your Downspouts
You can install a trench drain on the ground where the downspout brings water to the ground from the gutters. A trench drain is effective in draining away water from the foundation of the house.
For downspouts that direct water underground, the issues a trench drain will solve include:
- Stopping the rain water from weakening your house’s foundation
- Preventing water from saturating the soil
- Ensuring the excess water doesn’t kill the flowers and shrubs
Installing trench drains for downspouts can be tricky because the direction of rain water varies from home to home. Some downspouts direct water underground, while others direct water into the driveway. Each situation requires a unique drainage solution to address the right problem.
A solution would be to install a catch basin that acts as a water reservoir. You can then use pipes to carry the excess rain water away from your house. Placing this small water reservoir beneath the downspout ensures the rainwater from your roof never comes in contact with the soil. Ensure you clean out the debris that settles at the bottom of the reservoir so that it doesn’t get blocked.
Some homeowners use French drains to drain water away from the foundation, but a trench drain works better. Trench drains drain water away at a faster rate than a French drain, preventing basement flooding. Trench grates for the drains around the house, they can be aesthetically selected to match the exterior colors on the windowsills and fascia board.
In the Garden Lawn
A trench drain can break the gradient of a very steep lawn. It helps reduce the speed of stormwater and reduces the rate of soil erosion on the lawn. If you have a lawn that has a valley at the center, consider installing trench drainage to control the flow of stormwater. You can control the flow direction and protect your lawn’s flowers and shrubs.
Wrapping Up
You can deploy trench drains in almost all outdoor spaces in your home. A functional drainage protects your spaces and keeps them safe for family members and pets. They will help protect building structures from water damage. If you have a good eye for color and pattern, you can also use trench grates to improve your home’s curb appeal.
