Whether you are managing stormwater or wastewater, proper drainage prevents property damage, creates a safe environment, and eliminates stagnant water that can become a foul-smelling breeding ground for bacteria and insects.
When selecting drainage, we recommend comparing system performance, purchase price, installation time, flow rate, durability, and lifetime maintenance costs. These variables are key to finding the right drainage system for your next project.
To make an educated purchase, it’s important to understand the different types of drainage systems available. This guide breaks down the available options to help you choose a drainage system for your home or business.
Swale Drains
Appearance
A swale drain is a shallow ditch lined with grass or rocks. They are broad and shallow, which sets them apart from trench or channel drains.
What They Do
Swale drains control outdoor water runoff. They prevent flooding, puddling, and erosion of the surrounding soil. Swale drains help keep storm drains (part of city stormwater systems) from being overwhelmed by a sudden influx of water. Because they are wide and shallow, swale drains spread water over a large surface, containing runoff so it can gradually drain into stormwater systems.
Where You Find Them
Swale drains are commonly found in both residential and commercial landscaping.
French Drains
Appearance
A french drain is a subsurface channel made from a perforated pipe installed in a sloped trench and buried in permeable aggregate like river rock.
What They Do
French drains keep wet yards dry. They collect surface and subsurface moisture, as water easily penetrates the gravel and seeps into the buried pipe. The pipe then carries the water from wherever the drain starts–usually close to the foundation of a structure–to where it ends, usually at a cistern, storm sewer, or swale.
Where You Find Them
French drains are a common system used in residential areas to redirect water away from homes and landscaping.
Channel Drains
Appearance
Channel drains are U-shaped drains made from concrete and set into the ground. They can be left open or covered with grates. Grates allow people and vehicles to pass across. Channel drain grates are typically made from cast iron. Cast iron is strong, but it can rust over time, making it hard to clean.
What They Do
These systems divert high volumes of liquid and debris, carrying it along the channel to an outlet. They keep commercial and urban spaces dry and prevent flooding by diverting liquids from rainfall and industrial processes.
Where You Find Them
You will find channel drains along roads and highways as well as in manufacturing and processing facilities. However, concrete channel drains break down over time, from physical and chemical erosion, making them hard to clean. You can find channel drains all over, but they are slowly being replaced by longer-lasting alternatives.
Slotted Drain Pipes
Appearance
Slotted drain pipes are plastic drain pipes with a slot cut into the top. The slot lets water drain directly into the pipe. The slot is usually made from molded plastic and has a mesh cover to prevent debris from entering the pipe. Slotted drain pipes are usually buried under soil, stone, or tile with only the inlet showing.
What They Do
Slotted drain pipes are an economical way to move stormwater. The pipes themselves are cheap and flexible, making them versatile and easy to install. Because of this, they are suitable for moving water over long distances. These pipes are not suitable for industrial or hygienic environments because they are not stable when exposed to harsh chemicals and are hard to clean.
Where You Find Them
Homeowners use smaller pipes to move water in backyards. Municipalities use larger pipes to drain public spaces and transport water over long distances.
Area Drains
Appearance
Area Drains are point drains designed for either indoor or outdoor use. They are normally round or square and sit flush with the finished floor. Small area drains are only a few inches in diameter, while industrial drains can be 12 inches or more. From above, only the grating or lid is visible.
What They Do
Area Drains are made to drain a specific zone/area. Flow rates and service zones depend on drain sizing. Some area drains drain small areas like showers. Other area drains are optimized for draining large process zones. In general, area drains have a maximum drainage area of 400 square feet. Area drains require 4-slope floors to move water towards them.
Where You Find Them
Area drains are found everywhere, including showers, public bathrooms, pool decks factories, and warehouses. Hygienic area drains are used extensively in food and beverage processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Trench Drains
Appearance
A trench drain is a linear drainage system with a trough-shaped channel covered with a grate. Trench drains are completely open along their length with no variation between the width of the drain walls and the trench opening. Trench drains and channel drains are similar, but trench drains come in premanufactured sections, while channel drains are formed in place. The trench is embedded in concrete or packed substrate for structural stability. Trench Drains can be made from cast iron, plastic, fiber-reinforced polymer, or stainless steel.
What They Do
Trench Drains are designed to manage large, sudden volumes of liquids and solids. Trench drains are placed outdoors for stormwater management and indoors to keep industrial settings safe and dry. Stainless steel trench drains have specialized grates that can handle very heavy loads like trucks and forklifts.
Where You Find Them
Trench drains are found in processing plants, shipping/receiving zones, and architectural landscape design. Hygienic trench drains are used extensively in food and beverage and pharmaceutical processing. Trench drains equipped with catch basins and strainer baskets can manage solids in places like potato processing plants.
Slot Drains
Appearance
A slot drain is a grateless linear drainage system with a narrow, elongated slot-like opening along the top that allows water to enter the drainage channel. Slot drain bodies have a teardrop-like shape. Slot drains are embedded in concrete or packed substrate for structural stability.
What They Do
Slot drains manage stormwater and process liquids while remaining hidden in plain sight. Their low-profile design makes slot drains ideal for areas with heavy foot or vehicle traffic. Their high flow rates keep large areas dry while maintaining a nearly invisible profile. Slot drains can separate solids from liquids as long as the system includes a catch basin and strainer basket.
Where You Find Them
Hygienic stainless steel slot drains are used in food and beverage plants along processing lines to maintain safe and hygienic working conditions. Heavy-duty slot drains are used in outdoor pedestrian malls to manage stormwater while maintaining ADA compliance. Radius slot drains are used in landscaping to accommodate curves without breaking sightlines. Slot drains are extremely versatile and can be used in applications ranging from car washes to zoos.
If you would like to learn more about how Slot Drain Systems can help on your next project, please contact us.
If you are more interested in Area Drains or Trench Drains, please visit our parent company, Global Drain Technologies.
Interested to learn how Trench Drains are typically installed? Watch the video below:
