4 Very Useful Commercial Drainage Solutions
Installing the right drainage system, especially in commercial settings, is extremely important. We use water for so many activities in society, and all that used water has to go somewhere.
On commercial properties, this is even more critical. Not only are tap water, showers and toilets utilised, but also other duties where many kilolitres of water need to be drained. These include irrigation, fire station duties and the washing of equipment and vehicles in warehouses. A workable commercial drainage system is vital for various businesses in a district to flourish.
If your drainage is not up to standard, it can cause serious damage that will cost money. Sometimes, the damages can be irreparable. In more severe cases, poor drainage can cause landslides, mudslides and flooding. Otherwise, it can damage the walls and support structures of buildings, especially after the materials have begun to rot.
It can also lead to excessive erosion, which will even attract pests. It is for these reasons that your building always needs to have an efficient drainage network. Read on as we discuss some useful drainage solutions that can best channel all the water you use.
French Drains
French drains are a cost-effective form of drainage that is meant to protect your property or building from standing water, thereby preventing floods. Basically, they’re a system of ditches, pipes or trenches that are filled with rocks, clay or gravel.
Filling your pipes with these natural materials will allow water to be absorbed and filtered through the network. Due to this, they’re highly adaptable and robust against erosion. They can last for up to 40 years and are able to protect your property from a lot of long-term damage.
The natural elements in the ditch are meant to drain the water, before gravity pulls the water to the desired location. By doing this, it would primarily protect your property’s foundation. Moreover, because you’re using natural elements to combat excess water, it can be aesthetically pleasing, too.
Grading
Often it is the land your property is built on that can cause drainage issues. If the gradient of the land is angled towards your property, then all excess water would lead to your building. Likewise, if two or more slopes are angled down towards a central point, then it can cause a build-up of water and subsequent flooding.
If you can grade your land appropriately, then you’ll be able to redirect the water away from your property. You would do this by creating a different gradient that moves water away, or a flat surface that helps the water to flow smoother. By digging up soil, dumping it in specific areas and spreading it, you can grade the ground according to your needs.
In commercial settings you’d have to construct concrete gutters that take all the excess water away from your business. Or you can lay concrete foundations that would alter the gradient of the ground. Metal pipes could also be used to direct the water away from your building and into the street, which would already be graded appropriately.
Trench Drains
Trench drains are formed by a long underground tunnel with a concrete mould. It is used to move excess surface water away from an area. Surface water would filter through a grate, into the concrete pipeline and away from your property.
These types of drains are especially useful for driveways and sidewalks or beneath buildings without roof gutters, which is common in commercial areas. They’ll also be useful in poorly graded areas where pools of water tend to collect.
They’re helpful to prevent erosion, because they stop water from flowing by draining it underneath the surface. This drainage will then carry the water elsewhere through a channel that was designed to do so.
There are two types of trench drains, namely precast and cast-in-place.
The precast trench drain is manufactured and cured before it is installed into the ground. This means it can be used immediately and is not affected by harsh weather conditions.
The cast-in-place type is formed when the concrete is poured using a mould, before it is cured. This is advantageous because it forms a precise channel in the ground with accurate measurements and fitments.
Point Drains
A point drain can be used in areas where water regularly collects. They’re most often used indoors and they’ll be especially useful in warehouses where water is used to wash off equipment or machinery. It’s basically designed so that the water on the ground all flows down to a central point.
They can be incorporated easily and elegantly with your flooring and they vary in size. They’re usually square in shape and come with various grate finishes. This makes it a versatile form of draining that easily carries water away into your plumbing system.
In Summary
Conclusively, installing the proper drainage solutions are vital for any business or household to function. Furthermore, remember to implement proper commercial plumbing maintenance so your drainage system operates efficiently.
Your commercial building is your business’s home. If it gets damaged, then so too can your business. To avoid this, consider drainage and plumbing as a priority from now on.
