How to choose the right channel drainage supplies.

Channel drains, or trench drains as they are sometimes known, are linear drains designed to quickly evacuate surface water from a selected area to prevent flooding or overspill.

Channel drains work using gravity. As such, they should be positioned in a dip or valley, as these are the areas that water would naturally move to. Positioning them at the top of a slope would get rid of very little excess water and would mean that dipped areas would quickly become prone to surface flooding in heavy rain.

Choosing an incorrect channel drain system could result in costly mistakes that you would have to rectify later, potentially after your property has become waterlogged and flooded.

Here are 3 factors to consider when choosing the most suitable channel drainage:

Weight classes

Like with boxing champions, weight classes are very important to channel drains!

Commonly also referred to as the ‘maximum weight load,’ it is important to consider the maximum possible weight of vehicles that could pass over your channel drain to ensure it does not become damaged.

Class	Maximum Weight Load (in tonnes)	Common uses
A15	1.5t	Pedestrian areas such as gardens, patios, and driveways
B125	12.5t	Domestic driveways for family cars, vans, and 4x4s.
C250	25t	Roads with light traffic or private car parks
D400	40t	Main roads, highways, high traffic areas, and public car parks
E600	60t	Industrial estates, loading bays, and cargo handling yards
F900	90t	Docks and airports

B P Plastics stock a mix of channel drains that are suitable for A15 to D400 weight classes, but specialist orders can be quoted upon request.

The B125 may be suitable for a domestic driveway but if your driveway is regularly used for turning by larger vehicles, for example, bin wagons or HGVs then it is worth considering a higher weight class to ensure that your drain will not become damaged at a later date.

Brand considerations

Unlike pipe fittings, channel drain manufacturers design systems that only fit together with their own products.

This means that if you purchased the Fernco Stormdrain galvanised channel, it would only fit with the full Fernco Stormdrain system.

Moreover, you may also not be able to mix and match products you need to replace in future. You should take note of the exact products you have installed to ensure that you can buy the correct replacement parts if the need ever arises in the future.

Most brands also only produce channel drains in 1m lengths, which work best when uncut. It is worth considering how many 1m lengths you will need; alongside the number of quad boxes, you will need to install for corners and junctions.

Optional extras

Some brands offer choices based on aesthetics as well as functionality.

The Flexseal Stormdrain range, for example, offers a galvanised or black finish to their channel grating and also have an optional sump unit which can remove silt and debris from the water, as you would find in a catch pit.

Similarly,  the ACO Brickslot offers a narrower slot to fit discreetly between brick or paving slabs alongside an optional sump unit to remove detritus from the water, as you would expect in a catch pit.

The Polydrain shallow domestic channel drain fits in shallower locations and features a minimalist black grid with smaller gaps to keep out natural waste and litter.

This variety allows customers to choose from channel drains that fit their aesthetic, leaving them protected and stylish.

Specifically designed to remove surface water and keep your property looking its best, no matter your location, job requirement, or aesthetic, there is a channel drain variety for you.