Drain Smarter: Matching the Right Drain to the Right Job

Drain Smarter: Matching the Right Drain to the Right Job


Drains are often thought of as a simple commodity, a segment of the market that has and needs very little in the way of innovation. But when you are in the business of designing or building high-performance, high-traffic spaces, the type of drain you choose can make all the difference. On a recent podcast, I sat down with Brenden Shearer from Global Drain Technologies to walk through the different types of drainage systems and his ‘right drain, right area’ philosophy.

 

Slot Drains: Sleek, Strong, and Subtle

If you’re dealing with courtyards, pool decks, terraces, or thresholds, anywhere aesthetics matter, slot drains should be your go-to. These narrow, linear systems blend seamlessly into the environment, allowing for elegant surface drainage without the visual clutter of traditional grated trench drains. They also cut down on underground piping since one long run of slot drain can replace multiple point drains. They’re durable, low-maintenance, and eliminate the risk of broken or stolen grates, a real concern in public settings. For a clean look that performs, this is your best bet.

 

Area & Floor Drains: Utility in Smaller Spaces

Area drains (also called floor drains) are common in mechanical rooms, rooftops, bathrooms or anywhere the goal is basic drainage without much design sensitivity. These drains are well suited to drain areas of 400 square feet or less. While they’re great for smaller spaces, they don’t always scale well for large areas. Using area drains can create complications with floor slope design and introduces a significant amount of underground piping and connections. These systems are often the most practical choice when aesthetics and heavy surface runoff aren’t key priorities.

 

Trench Drains: Built for Volume

In industrial environments with high volumes of liquids and solids, like processing room floors in food production facilities, trench drains are often the right call. They can handle high volumes of water that can overwhelm slot drains or area drains. They can also help to channel solids towards a single collection point. But they do come with trade-offs: the grates can crack and bend under heavy traffic leading to maintenance headaches and safety risks. These systems excel when performance under high water volume is the top priority, though it is recommended to choose stainless steel grates for durability and ease of maintenance.

 

Floor Sinks & Hub Drains: Targeted Solutions

Sometimes drainage is about a specific appliance, not an entire floor. Floor sinks and hub drains exist to catch discharge from fixed equipment like ice machines, steam ovens, or HVAC condensate. These drains serve equipment that requires an air gap to avoid cross connections and associated contamination.