What is a Trench Drain?
A trench drain is an exterior drainage system that helps funnel rainwater along a path to avoid excess water from pooling up and causing a flood. It is essentially an outdoor gutter system that resembles an elongated drain. It runs the length of the affected area to collect all water that flows within the area and properly drains it far away.
Trench drains can be built in several different ways with several different materials. They are typically constructed of plastic, galvanized steel, or cast iron grates. Gravel or rocks can also be used as part of the drain to match your landscaping and provide proper channeling of the water.
If you have any slumps or downward hills in your yard or driveway, a trench drain may be necessary to help drain the water out of your yard or driveway before you experience flooding issues.
Trench drains are one of the many waterproofing options you can install to protect your yard and your foundation from water damage.
How do Trench Drains Work?
The purpose of a trench drain is to collect excess water and properly dispose of it to avoid flooding or disruption to your yard.
The drain itself contains holes along the length of the drain so that it can easily collect the water from any point along its path. The water enters the drain through those holes and is funneled down the rest of the drain to dispose the water away from your yard.
Installing a Trench Drain
While installing a trench drain can be done by yourself, it’s important to leave it up to a professional to make sure it’s installed properly and drains the water into a proper place.
The first step is to create a trench that the drain will fit into. Depending on where you are installing the drain, it may involve removing some concrete or digging into your yard.
It’s important to make sure the trench is dug deep enough in order to create enough room for the water to collect and flow properly. If the trench is not dug deep enough, it can create flooding issues which would render the drain as useless.
After the trench is created, the grate is installed on top to create the drain that the water will flow into. When installation is complete, you’ll have peace of mind with a drain that will constantly protect your home from flood damage.
The Importance of Waterproofing
Taking the necessary steps to waterproof your home is very important to avoid bigger, more expensive issues in the future. There are many different systems, products, and techniques for waterproofing your home, and a trench drain is just one of those many options.
Waterproofing your home with a trench drain can help prevent two problems from occurring:
- Foundation settlement: As water pours into the ground and saturates the soils, this can cause the soils to shift and your foundation to settle.
- Concrete sinking: Water can also saturate the soils underneath your concrete slabs and cause your concrete to sink. This is a big problem with driveways and sidewalks, so it’s important to have the proper drainage system in place around these areas.
A trench drain can be used to collect the water and channel it away from your foundation and your driveway or sidewalk to prevent settlement damage.
Trench Drain Installation from LRE Foundation Repair
Since 1989, we’ve helped Florida residents protect their home from water damage and foundation settlement. To protect your home, consider installing a trench drain with LRE Foundation Repair
Contact us today for your free inspection for trench drain installation!
What To Expect
Ready to get started?
Schedule a free estimate to start your repair journey with LRE.
Schedule your inspection
Fill out our form or give us a call to book your inspection. Share what you’ve noticed so we can send the right expert to your home.
Full home
inspection
An expert will inspect the problem area and surrounding conditions, including soil movement, drainage, structural integrity, and any related concerns.
Clear explanation
of findings
We’ll walk you through what we’re seeing in easy-to-understand language so you know the root cause of the issue, not just the symptoms.
Review recommendations
If repairs are needed, we’ll outline your options, pricing, and timeline so you can make the best decision for your home.
Schedule your free inspection—
It'll only take
a minute
Meet with a trusted expert, and get
clear answers about your home.
