5 Drain Types and The Difference

In this blog post, you’ll read:Understanding the right drainage system is crucial for both residential and commercial properties. The five primary types—surface drains, subsurface drains, downspouts and gutters, slope drainage systems, and HDPE drains—each serve unique purposes. Knowing their differences helps in selecting the most effective solution for managing water flow, preventing erosion, and maintaining structural integrity.
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When it comes to commercial and residential drainage systems, you need to know the different systems and their differences.

Not just any drain type will be beneficial to your home or office. The five drain types include surface drains, subsurface drains, downspouts and gutters, slope drainage systems, and HDPE drains. They have different uses, even if their main goal is the same. Which type of drain do you need?

The definition of drainage systems

Drainage systems are designed to regulate water access and other liquids to a designed place. Pebbles and stones can be placed on the drainage system to hide them or keep children safe near drains. Drainage is completely different from sewerage systems and shouldn’t be confused with each other.

Surface drainage system

surface drainage system
surface drainage system

Surface drainage systems are channels or ditches designed to remove access water. There are a couple of different types of surface drainage systems.

  • Open drains
  • Humps and hollows,
  • Grassed waterways
  • Levees

The main reason for installing a surface drainage system is to prevent surface flooding. It is beneficial to your soil and plants. This is an important system to ensure that erosion on farms and land is limited.

Uses for surface drainage systems

This is one of the more common drainage systems you can find. The primary use is on properties where there are slopes or hills. This system prevents flooding from the higher point to the lower point.

  • Surface drainage systems direct the water to the main drain.
  • It is an easy system to install and is known to be a low-impact drainage system.
  • These systems prevent water from pooling and limit soil erosion.
  • These systems are primarily used in residential and agricultural areas, protecting crops.

Subsurface drainage system

subsurface drainage system
Subsurface drainage system

Subsurface drainage systems are also known as French drains. These drain systems are installed underneath the soil surface. Most commonly, it consists of pipes placed in ditches dug into the ground. The pipes are covered by rock or gravel to hide the drainage systems.

Most of these systems are installed at:

  • Agricultural fields
  • Sport fields
  • Uneven terrain
  • Residential yards

Uses for subsurface drainage systems

The primary use of subsurface drainage systems is almost the same as that of surface drainage systems. The subdrainage systems collect the water and take it to a point where all subsurface systems come together. You will find a surface drainage system that takes the primary purpose of subsurface underground.

  • Subsurface drains French drains mainly prevent erosion caused by floods or access water running down slopes.
  • They are used for long-term water management. Even if there isn’t a current water overload at the moment.

Downspout and gutters

downspout and gutters
downspout and gutters

Downspout and gutters are going together; you can’t use one without the other. You will find these drainage systems at most drainage suppliers. You will discover gutters and downspouts in your home’s room. You redirect the rain from the roof to the ground without causing erosion around your home.

Gutters are going around your home in line with the roof. It collects the water and guides it to the downspout, ensuring that there isn’t water on the roof that can cause leakage or damage. Usually, the downspout will flow into a surface or subsurface draining system.

Uses

The primary use of downspouts and gutters is to prevent roof damage caused by water buildup on the roof.

  • It will reduce the risk of problems with basement flooding and structural damages caused by water laying at the surface of the building.
  • This drainage system can be connected with subsurface or surface draining systems to prevent erosion and damage around the home.

This is one of the most crucial residential drainage systems you can install in your home.

Slope drainage system

slope drainage system
slope drainage system

People confuse slope drainage systems with subsurface draining systems. It is also used in landscapes and around pools. Slope drains are designed to assist with water flow down from a structure. This is done by making use of pipes that are anchored to an inline.

These drains can be made from a large variety of materials. The material used will depend on where the installments need to take place. Drain manufacturers can give you more information on recommended materials.

Uses

The primary use is to get water as fast as possible with the least amount of erosion.

  • It is mainly installed at the base of a slope or area where water collects, which can cause danger or erosion.
  • They are typically used with gutters and downspouts, connecting and assisting with water flow to the gutters.

HDPE drains 

HDPE drains are relatively new and have become popular over the past few years. HDPE is known as High-density Polyethylene trench drains. It is pre-engineered and easy to install. What makes them recommended is that it is lightweight and durable.

The drains are pre-designed and built. It is smooth in texture and durable. However, as the subsurface drainage systems, these drains still need grate covering.

Uses

Their main use is in industrial buildings. They ensure that the flow of water goes in the right direction with easy installments.

  • They are used in places where sewage needs to be controlled. It is a good option for sanatoriums to dispose of wastewater, gas, or oil.
  • HDPE drains work similarly to subsurface drains but are pre-built and of higher quality.

The differences between these five drainage systems

To choose the proper drainage system, it is important to know the main differences between these five drainage systems.

  • Gutters and downspouts are installed in line with the roof. To collect the rainwater and to redirect it from the roof. Slope draining systems have the same function, but this is designed for landscaping instead of buildings.
  • Surface drains are connected to the surface. They are assisting with the flow of water out of a desired area. The subsurface drainage system is underground, requiring a layer of rock or gravel to cover the drainage system.
  • HDPE drains are the only pre-made drainage systems that are easy to install. Other drainage systems need to be built as it’s installed. And it can take a much longer time.
drainage systems
drainage systems

Factors to consider for adequate drainage systems

Some factors must be considered before buying and building the correct drainage system.

  • The location of the water that needs to be drained.
  • Is it a building that needs a water drain or a slope that needs assistance with water flow?
  • Which system will give the best water drainage, and which will be the safest option for the current situation?
  • Do you need a simple drainage system that you can install and maintain yourself, or do you need an expert to install the drainage system for you?

FAQ about drainage systems

How do you know which drainage system you need?

You need to look at your options and see which system will work best. Some work better in landscaping areas, while others work better with buildings and homes.

What is making a sound drainage system?

The right-sized drainage system will get water out of the area quickly. In residential areas, water on a roof can cause severe damage. The larger the drainage system, the faster the water will clear after heavy rain or floods.

How do you know you selected the proper drainage system?

The drainage system must allow a minimum disturbance of natural drainage. The drainage system should be assisting the natural drainage systems.

The five most popular draining systems include surface drains, subsurface drains, slope drains, gutters, downspouts drains, and the latest HDPE draining system. To get the maximum results from a drain, the right drain for the area needs to be installed in the correct size. You can’t install a HDPE drain instead of a gutter and downspout. Knowing the differences in draining systems will make it easy to know which one you will need. Please contact us if you have more questions or require anything.

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