Author Archives: Michael Schroer

Decorative Grating for POLYCAST 600

Decorative POLYCAST Grates

There are multiple trench drain systems available on the market today, but not all have the application flexibility as Hubbell’s POLYCAST 600 series. These pre-sloped drain systems are ideal for a variety of projects and often use a standard slotted ductile iron grate, as it is a versatile option. Occasionally, there is a need for […]

Driveway Drainage Problems

Driveway Drainage

Whether you are installing new or retrofitting an older system there are solutions. One of the most common trench drain questions we receive is from homeowners who need help solving driveway drainage problems. Installation If you are going to install a drain in an existing driveway, I recommend putting in a trench drain system. You […]

Growing Options of Metal Decorative Grates For NDS Products

Mini Channel Aluminum Tardis Grates and Slim Channel Bronze Slotted Grates

The grate options are expanding for the ever popular Mini Channel and Slim Channel drainage systems manufactured by National Diversified Systems (NDS). These well known and consumer friendly linear drains are manufactured in Fresno, California by NDS and warehoused in locations all over the United States. The Mini Channel is a 3-inch wide system that […]

Stormwater Management for House and Patio

Pool and patio trench drain

Having control of the stormwater drainage around your home is an important step in protecting the integrity of your house foundation, the safety and life of your outdoor living space, and the water quality of your in-ground pool or spa. It’s no fun dealing with wet basements, patio water pooling, garage flooding or heavy sediment […]

7 Facts About POLYCAST’s FP Series Trench Drain

FP1200 Highway Installation

Seven Facts you didn’t know about POLYCAST’s FP Series Trench Drain The POLYCAST® FP series Trench Drain (Fiberglass POLYCAST®) is a large flow, transportation drainage product developed in 2010 by Hubbell’s POLYCAST® division in Lenoir City TN. At the time of its introduction to the market, it filled a void in the POLYCAST® product line […]

Universal Ductile Iron Trench Drain Grate (TDS 461D)

Previous articles I’ve written have discussed the evolution of the polymer concrete trench drain channel and how it came to the U.S. Market. The big takeaway is that the rise of modular trench drain started in Europe and migrated to the United States, bringing with them metric dimensional standards (channel length and width) which rendered […]

Polymer Concrete Trench Drain – In the Beginning

The first time I learned of ACO and polymer concrete was in 1985 while on a tour of some silica mines in northeast Ohio.  In that part of the country, the Sharon conglomerate crops out of the ground and is mined by a number of industrial mineral firms.  The Best Silica Company, located in Chardon, […]

Black Isle Brewery – Scottish Culinary Trend Setter

black isle brewery, organic brewery, highlands craft beer, black isle, inverness attractions

I had the opportunity to visit the Scottish Highlands with two of my colleagues. The land is stunning with low clouds swirling over the tops of tall hills and dotted with lochs, herds of sheep and towering stone castles. We saw our first Highland Cow, witnessed spectacular ocean views and visited several distilleries. Scotland – […]

3 Trench Drain Installation Tips You Need to Know

dura slope install, installing dura slope, thermal expansion drains

Since trench drains are part of the project’s foundation plan, they are literally the groundwork of their project. Entire projects can be “wounded” if the trench drain is dysfunctional.  The drain installation has much to do with how functional the drain will be. And, drain installations can go horribly wrong.  Here are three trench drain […]

Zurn Z882 ADA Grates – P12-HPD vs. P12-ADA-USA

zurn z882, ADA zurn z882, ADA 12 in grate

In the past couple years, I have had the opportunity to sell a bunch of Zurn Z882.  This 12” wide, pre-sloped trench drain system is one of Zurn’s most commonly sold Perma-Trench product lines.  It is used for applications that span a variety of residential, commercial, industrial and transportation applications. The standard grating that is […]