Residential drainage solutions

Let’s look at the features to consider when installing residential water management solutions…

Water management solutions for your home

Paving is a low-maintenance, durable garden feature that can be utilised to make the most out of your outdoor space for entertaining or relaxing. Although commercial and industrial paved areas are commonly seen to incorporate drainage, it is not something that necessarily crosses the minds of homeowners planning to install paving in their gardens. With the UK experiencing heavier rainfall, a good quality water management system is becoming more and more integral to design. Good drainage will prevent surface water from collecting, allowing an outdoor space or garden to be fully functional, safe, and accessible all year round.

Function and design

When considering drainage, it’s important to plan for the route of water going downhill with gravity. This should be addressed in the early planning stages, alongside the aesthetic impact of the placement of drainage. For example, you may choose to have channel drainage installed in the middle of the paved area for a symmetrical look, or you may opt for it to be included to the side of an outdoor dining area. Fully considering the overall design, including drainage, will allow each landscaping element to look good when the project is complete, as well as perform well functionally.

Use and weight requirements

The chosen drainage should meet the necessary weight load requirements of the area it will be used in. For example, channel drainage for a garden will not need the same weight-bearing strength as drainage at the end of a driveway. Pedestrian areas will work perfectly well with an A15 solution, however channel drainage at the end of a driveway that needs to withstand the weight of cars should be a minimum B125 classification. Always check that the drainage solution is appropriate for each individual project.

Maintenance and care

Drainage does not require daily attention, however it must be maintained over time to prevent a build-up of dirt and silt. Cleaning drains on a regular basis will keep them functioning efficiently for longer. Depending on your drainage choice, you may need to consider access points to allow for thorough and easy cleaning.

Aesthetic design

With any garden and landscaping project, the overall look of the completed project will be at the forefront of the homeowner’s mind. During the process of putting together the visual design, consider the different channel drainage options available, which vary in style, material, and colour. It’s important to consider whether the garden would suit a striking channel drainage or something more discrete.

As discussed above, residential channel drainage must be functional, but it must also be aesthetically pleasing to the homeowner’s eye.

Supplier spotlight – ACO

We are proud to offer ACO products for water management solutions. ACO are known worldwide for their excellent quality design, development, and manufacturing of surface water drainage solutions. We stock an extensive range of products in-branch, and a selection of the most popular products are available on our website for delivery direct to you.

The range includes:

ACO drain
ACO drainage channel
 ACO hexdrain
ACO slot drain
ACO brickslo
ACO brickslot drain
ACO drainage accessories
ACO raindrain

ACO are also producers of durable and quality GroundGuardtiles and gravel grids.

Check out the selection of drainage and water management solutions available on our website >> Drainage or get in touch with your local branch for more ideas and product availability >> Find your local branch