Category Archive Channel Drain

ByAppleDrains

Apple Drains, channle drain, driveway, How To Install Channel Drain, NDS Channel Drain, Trench Drain

Channel Drain Installation

Channel Drain or Trench Drain collects water from a concrete surface. It could be a driveway, pool patio, pavers, of walkway. Many sizes are available. It is secured in concrete and is set flush with the surface. Water floods into the channel drain and is carried away by the discharge pipe. If gravity is not available, a sump pump and be used to lift the water up and send it out to the street or storm.

Apple Drains
Orlando FL
321-200-0685
For faster Service please use our Service Sign Up

Installing is actually pretty easy. You do need a few tools but once you start into your project, you will find it goes quickly.

Here are a few tips on how to install 5″ NDS channel drain. This is the most common type channel drain. Its available from both Lowes and Home Depot. Cost per 10 foot section with grates and fittings, just under 160.00. Be sure to buy enough to complete your project. In other words, a 2 car garage with channel drain across the front will need 22 feet or more.

Materials and Tools you will need –
5″ NDS Channel Drain, Grates, and couplings. (suggest using the 10 foot sections not the 2 foot)
Pipe or sup pit and sump pump for the discharge.
4″ Pipe works best for gravity discharge and 1/3 horsepower pump with 1 1/2 in discharge is best if no gravity is available.
Note – Sump Pumps need power.. Plan ahead.
Concrete at least 8 bags of 80 lbs ready mixed concrete for 24 foot wide drive

Tools – Concrete saw – 14″ diamond tip blade
Wheel Barrel to mix concrete and haul debris
Shovel and hoe,
Concrete finishing trowel,
Painters Tape to cover grates
Pry bar or jack hammer to remove concrete.
Garden hose to mix and wash

Your cutting a section across the drive at least 14 inches wide. You will need to make two passes across the drive so be sure to pick the right spot!

To start, determine the lowest section of the apron in front of your garage. This is usually where the water first pools during a rain.

Next you will need a concrete saw, (partner saw or cut off saw). These are available from any tool rental. Be sure to get a 14″ Diamond Tooth Blade. The cost will vary but usually under a 100 for the day.

Lay out a section of channel drain and use it as your straight edge while cutting the concrete.
Keep the side of the saw 2 inches from the straight edge. (yes you could use a 2×4)
Turn on the water (let it trickle along side of the blade while cutting. This will keep the dust down and the blade cool allowing it to cut faster.

Once you are ready to cut the concrete, Work slowly and backwards. Let the saw blade do the work! It will cut like butter but very slowly.

Try to stay centered behind the saw. this will help you keep a straight line.
Don’t worry if you curve a little bit.. (but try to stay as straight as possible) When you back fill with concrete, it will still look really good.

Be sure to cut clean through the concrete! Its about 3 to 4 thick.

Once done cutting, take your pry bar and break out 1 foot section of the concrete between you cuts. Pound the pry bar in same spot.. It will weaken the concrete and it will crack just between the 2 cuts.

If you have cut clean through the concrete, you can easily pry and lift the 1 foot section up and out. Then put in wheel barrel to haul away.

Once the concrete is removed, wash of the driveway. Keep it clean!

Now you can set your channel drain into the trench.
Notice that its almost the right depth?
You will need to trench it out a little more for a perfect depth.

Dig you discharge trench and lay the pipe connecting it to the channel drain when ready.

Once done excavating, set you channel drain in the trench.
You can go all the way across or you can center the channel drain in the middle of the driveway leaving 1 foot of concrete on each side (22 foot)

Connect the channel drain together using the coupling. Add the end caps and discharge pipe.

Place the grates in the channel drain and use the painters tape to cover them. This will keep them clean while you back fill with concrete!
Make a form for the end of your trench to hold the concrete. Use a scrape wood or even thick cardboard.

Mix your concrete in wheel barrel. 1 bag at a time..

Double check the channel drain is where you want it!
Check again!

Now trowel or shovel the concrete along side the channel drain. Fill it right to the top.

Finish off the concrete with your finishing trowel. This takes some time. work slowly but fast enough so the concrete does not set up.

The top of the grate should be just below the original concrete. (it could be lower depending on the driveway’s low spot.)

Channel drain lays almost level across the drive. If you can get some pitch great, if not, don’t worry@ It will still work good.

Cover up the discharge pipe, and you are done!

Apple Drains
Drainage Contractors

Apple Drains
Orlando FL
321-200-0685
For faster Service please use our Service Sign Up

Trusted & Recommended
by Your Neighbors

We’ll Make It Right
The First Time!

Underground drains work to keep your foundation and yard dry, French drain, Yard drain, Downspout Drain, Roof Drain, Sump Pump, Crawl Space, Waterproofing, Footer Pipe, Drain Tile, Channel Drain.

Micro drain, is used around a pool deck. its 1 1/2 inch wide and is install the same way as larger drain.