The Ultimate Guide to Channel Drains
Channel drains, often called ACO drains, are non-standard drainage systems that can be very effective under certain conditions. They provide a highly efficient method for removing wastewater from car parks, hardstanding surfaces, and other paved or concrete areas.
However, their design presents unique maintenance challenges, so it is essential to follow specific cleaning procedures to ensure proper functioning.
Property owners who use various channel drains must understand how these systems function, the factors that can lead to clogs, and the practical methods for cleaning them. By being informed, property owners can help ensure that their channel drains remain in good working condition for as long as possible.
Find out how to protect your property from flooding in our article, Preventing and managing your flooding risk.
What is a channel drain?
A channel drain is a specific type of floor-based drain consisting of a thin channel and a removable grating system placed over the top. This type of drain is often called an ACO drain, after the most common brand name.
These drains are commonly seen running along paved, tarmac, and concrete-covered areas prone to flooding. Channel drains are relatively easy to install, with no complicated layouts and couplers needed, and can be designed to complement the surrounding paved or tarmacked area.
What are the benefits of channel drain systems?
Channel drains offer several benefits compared to alternative methods of drainage. Rather than installing a series of point drains across the area, which often results in overflows and ponding, channel drains can provide a higher water-carrying capacity. Which can help to prevent flooding on your property, even under heavy rain conditions.
Other names given to specific channel drain variants include slot, linear, and trench drains, although each system operates on similar principles.
What problems can arise with channel drains?
Over time, channel drains can become clogged with soil, silt, leaves, and debris, reducing their effectiveness and increasing the risk of overflows and flooding if not regularly cleaned. The protective grating can also become damaged, exposing the drain to foreign objects and creating trip hazards for pedestrians and driving hazards for vehicles. Since channel drains are often located at public-facing commercial sites, businesses must ensure they are adequately maintained.
At Lanes, we can tackle blockages quickly and effectively with minimal disruption. Visit our drain unblocking services page online.
Where are channel drains used?
Channel drains are often seen on commercial premises with large paved or tiled areas, though they are sometimes used in domestic properties.
Common locations for channel drains include:
- Car parks
- Driveways and pathways
- Swimming pools and sports areas
- Patios and conservatories
- Gardens that include water features
- Petrol station forecourts
- Paved public spaces
How do channel drains work?
In these instances, channel drains are designed to help funnel away excess water run-off from heavy rainfall or other spillages, while remaining aesthetically unobtrusive.
Their protective grating must also be robust and sturdy enough to withstand the impact of the pedestrian and road traffic that often passes over them, especially in public spaces.
These surface water drains are frequently connected to interceptor tanks, which collect and contain contaminants, allowing the remaining wastewater to be channeled safely into the central sewer system.
Given that channel drains are often located at public-facing commercial sites, this creates a significant business impetus to ensure they are being properly maintained.
What size channel drain do I need?
Choosing the correct type of channel drain means accurately assessing the expected flow of drainage water on your premises and then selecting a drain with sufficient depth to handle the flow level.
This means examining how exposed the location in question is to the elements and whether any water that falls in that area has nowhere else to drain. If the area in question is near a building that drips water from its roof in rainy conditions—as is often the case with car parks—then this needs to be taken into account.
Because channel drains and grates are floor-based, choosing products that will withstand an expected loading weight is also essential. For example, a channel drain placed on an airport runway or a car park for heavy goods vehicles would need to be much stronger and more heavy-duty than one intended for a domestic patio.
Discover the drainage work we have done to support BAM construction with drainage solutions for London Stansted Airport in our article ‘Our drainage teams provide support for airport car park builds'.
How to clean and maintain channel drains
Channel drains are designed to be relatively straightforward to maintain, with grates that can be easily removed with keys, bolts or locking systems.
By carefully removing the relevant grate, any built-up debris or silt can often be removed by hand or by flushing it out with water.
If the blockage is more stubborn or the drain itself has become damaged, a professional drainage company may be necessary to assess and repair the defect before it causes further problems.
If you want more information about cleaning and repairing problems with your channel drains, call Lanes on 0800 526 488 or check out our full range of commercial and domestic drainage services.