Trench drains are very effective in draining large areas like driveways or pedestrian paths. They are also useful in large indoor areas like factory floors and airport hangars. A trench drain is simply an elongated trench in the ground into which water drains and is channeled to proper disposal. It is covered with a drain grate to prevent infiltration by unwanted objects that could block the trench. It is important for a professional to handle trench drain grate installation for several reasons:
Assessing the Weight Load
Trench drain grates play a very important role in safety. They prevent people and vehicles from falling into the trench. They are load-bearing structures. It is crucial that this weight is assessed to ensure the trench drain grate installed can bear the weight.
Correct assessment is especially important where heavy loads are involved because the potential damage is greater. Weight loads for trench drain grates are classified as follows:
- 1.5 tons – For light traffic applications in residential areas including pedestrian footpaths and home driveways
- 12.5 tons – For residential areas that see heavier traffic up to 4×4 SUVs and trucks
- 25 tons – For light traffic roads and surfaces with light vehicular traffic
- 40 tons – For main public roads and areas with high vehicular traffic such as car parks
- 60 tons – For industrial spaces including warehouse loading bays
- 90 tons – For heavy-duty load handling areas including ship docks and airports
From the weight load assessment, the trench drain grate installer can deduce the type of trench rate that is most appropriate for the surface.
Assessing Trench Grate Materials
Different trench grates are suitable for different applications. What is good for the swimming pool may not work for the driveway. Decorative trench grates appropriate for residential applications may not work well for public outdoor spaces. Different trench grate materials are appropriate for different applications:
- Stone trench grates are versatile for residential applications and outdoor pedestrian areas. They come in different molds and are non-slip resistant
- Plastic trench grates are suitable for residential applications like the deck and the swimming pool
- Fiberglass trench grates are suitable for areas that see high humidity like pools and spas, catwalks, and courtyards
- Stainless steel trench grates can bear heavyweight and can be used both indoors and outdoors in shower tubs, patios, and driveways
- Cast iron trench grates can also bear heavy loads. They can be used in parks, industrial buildings, homes, and residential complexes.
- Aluminum trench grates do not rust or corrode, but they are weaker than iron and steel trench grates. They are suitable for outdoor pedestrian areas like playgrounds, public squares, and paths.
- Bronze trench grates are highly resistant to scratches and scrapes, making them suitable for the high traffic pedestrian areas such as rail stations
Custom Options
What do you do when you need decorative trench grates in a specific color to match the tiles or landscape? Trench grates are useful components in creating the overall aesthetic feel of a landscape or hardscape. Custom options are especially useful in residential installations.
A professional trench grate installer will provide trench grates in the material, design, color, and patterns you need. Stone trench grates are especially highly customizable because they can take different molds, colors, and patterns to fit both residential and public spaces.
Access the Proper Resources
Installing trench drainage can be a challenge if the area to drain is large, or challenging topography like gullies. A professional drainage installer has the technical know-how to deal with challenging topography. They will have equipment like theodolites to survey the landscape where the terrain is uneven.
A professional trench great installer also has the heavy equipment needed to offer the whole package: trench drain digging and trench grate installation. If the trench grates are to be installed in a large outdoor space, there are dollies and cars to move material from one location to the other.
A professional also has an advantage in manpower. There will be a civil engineer if you need one. There are molders to take your custom orders. They can deploy fewer or more people on-site depending on the workload and the timeline of the project.
Faster Paperwork Approvals
Civil construction projects including on private property require permits. It is not always easy dealing with the bureaucracy that approves the paperwork. But professional installers have done this several times and know the loopholes and the networks to get these approvals in a shorter time.
Proper Installation
It is tempting to do DIY installations, but they often don’t turn out right, forcing you to spend more money to correct the situation. A professional trench grate installer comes with insurance. If they botch the job, they redo it at their cost. They are forced to do it properly for the first time.
Using a professional trench grate installer has more advantages over the DIY installation. You will have access to more variety in trench grate materials, designs, and you are assured of a proper job.
