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.
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