Drainage involves controlling the water flow and preventing any damage excess water could cause. It is beneficial for different weather conditions, such as heavy rains and snows, hails, and floods.
However, when building any structure, a proper drainage system might not be the first thing people think about. Nevertheless, it plays a significant role in creating a lasting design of construction and making a safe environment for everyone.
In this article, we will break down all of the benefits of proper drainage and discuss its different purposes.
Benefits of Proper Drainage
Suitable drainage is essential for both the interior and exterior of your property. The most important advantage of good drainage is keeping your property safe from landslides and floods. It can help keep your garden plants or crops safe by removing extra water.
Lastly, your outdoor steps will last longer and require less maintenance. Here are some more situations where proper drainage is beneficiary:
Slows Down the Soil Erosion
Soil erosion occurs when water flows carry away particles of dirt and rocks. As a result, you get bare patches on your property, which ruin the aesthetics of your outdoors. Furthermore, those patches can create landslides or gullies, eventually creating a safety hazard.
Improves Pest Control
Installing proper drainage will keep the soil dry, which is crucial for keeping pests away. Furthermore, wet ground will attract animals that love moisture (e.g., termites, subterranean termites, mosquitoes, slugs, etc.), and they might also get inside your home.
Prevents Flooding
Flooding can cause many other problems, such as ruining walkways and landscapes, damaging sprinkler systems, and even affecting individuals’ well-being.
The Plants Growth Is Improved
Quality-made drainage can help plants grow healthier. The plants will get enough water, as well as absorb nutrients from the soil. Wet soil also keeps plant roots fixed. More air in the ground helps the growth of soil bacteria. These bacteria can serve as a fertilizer for your outdoor plants.
Weeds Are Under Control
With the excess water in the ground, there’s a higher chance of getting weeds on your lawn. Proper drainage can help you prevent weeds from growing in your garden and ruining the overall aesthetics of your garden.
Increases Property Value
A well-made drainage system will make the property more lasting and safer to live or work in. It will lower property maintenance, saving a lot of money in the long run.
Also, with less leaking, there’s a lower chance of getting mold on your outdoor steps. Quality outdoor steps will ensure the high value of your property. To find perfect, durable steps units, go to https://unilock.com/steps/ and find the most suitable outdoor steps.
Different Ways to Make Proper Drainage
We can use different methods of building a quality drainage system. Before installing any drainage, it’s crucial to think about the factors like the type of land the property is built on, the amount of traffic that will be going on, the amount of rainfall in that area, and the altitude of the drainage system.
Here are some of the most common types of drainage systems:
Trench Drains
Trench drains are the most popular type of drain out there. As their name suggests, they consist of trenches that control the water flow and direct it to an underground pipe. The pipe further directs the water to some other area where excess water doesn’t create any damage.
A metal grate covers the trenches and frees them from debris, trash, or larger objects. The grate also prevents people from falling into trenches, especially in busy, public areas.
We can build grates using different materials. Cast iron is the most popular since it’s a strong material that can withstand heavier weights. Ductile iron is also very popular for trench drain grates since it’s similar to cast iron in strength.
Because of their not-so-appealing appearance, they aren’t commonly used for private lands and gardens. Instead, trench drains are usually found in some commercial structures like restaurants, parking lots, loading docks, factories, warehouses, etc.
Slot Drains
Slot drains were patented in 1988, and it was the first type of drain to incorporate the slotted concept. As a result, the construction costs were much lower, and the maintenance required less effort.
What makes this type of drainage so popular is the lack of grating, which means there is no absorption of bacteria or contaminants to traps inside the ground. Therefore, slot drains are perfect for places where food and drinks are processed daily or have high sanitary requirements.
No grating also means they are more durable since there is less chance of drainage breaking or deterioration. The part of the drain under the surface is embedded into concrete, which also makes it perfect for holding any heavy objects. Its durability also makes it ideal for areas with heavy traffic.
Slot drains also adapt to different requirements, such as drain length, depth, and flow requirements.
French Drains
French drains are placed in a ditch in the sloped ground, with a perforated pipe inside. The pipe usually has a landscaping fabric around it to prevent dirt or weed from getting into the pipe holes.
The pipe is hidden below the pile of gravel, and its job is to funnel the excess water away from your home. Because the pipelines are so well-hidden, French drains are a popular solution for households outdoors. The gravel gives an aesthetic touch to your property’s exterior.
French drains are especially beneficial for keeping households dry. After rainstorms, the water usually finds its way to the low spots of your property, resulting in wet or moldy basements.
Like slot drains, French drains are cost-effective and can last several decades, making them exceptionally durable. However, if you install French drains, place them away from power or communication lines.
HDPE drains
A type of trench system that uses polyethylene is called High-Density Polyethylene or HDPE drains. High-density polyethylene is a strong, corrosion-resistant thermoplastic polymer. Its density also makes it solid and durable, which makes it a perfect material for installing drainage systems.
HDPE pipes have a smooth texture and are easy to assemble. Even though they are strong, they require concrete covering for extra protection from external conditions. Because of their chemical resistance, they are used in some industrial places.
Conclusion
As we can see, installing a proper drainage system on a property has many benefits. So, before you decide which type of drainage fits your needs the most, don’t hesitate to do your research.
Installing drainage is complicated, so plan every detail and ask a professional for some advice. It might also take a long time, but it will pay off in so many ways in the long run.
