Category Archives: Trench Drain Basics

General information about drainage, design, water flow and trench drain applications.

Horse Barn Drain Install – Econodrain #4

Removing Econodrain form

In this case, a drain was previously installed and deemed later to be inadequate for several reasons. The owners decided to replace the old drain with a product called Econodrain #4. This trench drain system is formed and utilizes a disposable foam mold to shape the channel in concrete. Using a trench forming system is […]

Trench Drain Sightings at Kauffman (Royal) Stadium – Kansas City, MO

I was in Kansas City on business, but it would have to wait. It had been 10 years since I had been to a professional baseball game and even longer since I had been to a game in my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. The Oakland A’s, an old rival of the Kansas City Royals, […]

Planter Stand made from Iron Age Stair Step

painted iron grates, decorative painted grates,

Meet the 12” x 20” Locust grate by Iron Age Designs.  This grate is made for custom Iron Age frames and is typically used in suspended walkways and stairs. We had a sample available and brainstormed about innovative ways to use trench drain grates. Ultimately, we decided to custom paint the grate and use it as […]

Trench Drain at Walden Pond

It was a Sunday afternoon in October, 2009.  The sky was vibrant, the wind gentle after a chilly morning, and the sound of lapping waves was soft in my ears.  Autumn showed in the emerging rainbow of trees surrounding Walden Pond. The pond could hardly be considered a pond by its size, a hearty 61 […]

Cast Iron Finishing Options for Trench Drain Systems

Trench drain is becoming a bigger part of American hardscape and streetscape projects as North America continues to builds its infrastructure and becomes concerned about water quality and storm water control. Higher aesthetic demands are being made on trench drain grating on streets and sidewalks.  Because of this, it is a common practice to “finish” […]

Decorative Cast Iron Grating Options for the Meadrain EN2000 Polymer Channel

EN2000 grates, 8 inch drain grates, decorative 8 inch grates

The MEA EN2000 is used in applications where heavy wheel loads will be frequent and where occasional large volumes of run-off water can occur. Food processing plants, maintenance facilities and fire stations are a few of the locations where a slotted ductile iron grate is commonly used as a trench cover in these conditions. MEA’s polymer […]

Large Residential Catch Basin Options

PA-Road-Basin-Inlet-M

When conversing with an excavating contractor regarding catch basins, they may often think about the sizeable precast concrete drainage structures for stormwater, which are regularly used in municipal, state or federal drain systems. These basins commonly have an interior dimension of 24″ x 48″ or larger and are made of 8” thick reinforced concrete. A […]

Residential Downspout Catch Basin Installation

residential drainage projects, home improvement projects, plastic catch basin, plastic grates

It is common for homeowners to put their downspout water into a pipe that then travels out to the street or a back yard location. This often leads to clogged drainage pipes. Over time, leaves, sticks and sand particulate from roofing shingles will build up in the pipe to gradually reduce drainage efficiency. A catch basin helps to reduce this problem in two ways…

Catch Basins and Downspout Drainage

yard drainage w catch basin, catch basin downspouts,

Nobody likes a wet basement. Are catch basins the cure? The first line of defense to keep your basement dry is keeping water away from your foundation, and the most common source of water damage is storm water from roofs, patios and driveways. A driveway that slopes into a garage can direct storm water toward the house. Trench […]

Polymer Concrete Trench Drain – Residential vs. Commercial

What makes a trench drain suited for residential vs. commercial projects? Manufacturers make both residential drains and commercial-grade trench drains. There are a number of trench drain manufacturers that sell 4 inch wide (100 mm) polymer concrete channels, but we’re comparing two Polycast trench drains by Hubbell. Several differences between the smaller 400 Series and the 600 […]