Drainage systems are an integral part of homes and communities, as they work unnoticed to keep homes and streets clean and dry. A drainage system refers to the network of pipes or channels that transport waste water or rainwater to a more appropriate location, such as plastic guttering on the outside of a house.
The two main types of drainage systems are surface water drainage systems and foul water drainage systems. Surface water systems handle rainwater and aid in the prevention of flooding, whereas foul water is responsible for transporting waste water that is considered contaminated and needs to be sent to a sewage plant.
Surface Water Drains
Surface water drains are usually designed to defend against waterlogging. A surface water drainage system will consist of gutters on your roof and downspouts that will catch and divert water away from your roof and other areas of your property.
Regular maintenance is needed to keep them efficient however, so any debris that could block the system will need to be removed. If this debris is left in place, this can cause overflow issues which can lead to your property being damaged.
Sewer/Foul Water Drains
Sewer drains are responsible for carrying wastewater (such as that from toilets, showers and washing machines) away from your home and to sewer treatment plants.
However, they can become backed up or blocked if certain items are flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink, such as grease. Using drain guards can help to reduce the risk of blockages, and ensure that you are disposing of waste responsibly.
People who live in rural areas may have septic tanks instead of a foul water drainage system.
Stormwater Drains
Stormwater drains are used to manage excess water that comes from heavy rainfall. These drainage systems can be extensive, and will need professional inspection to check that they have not been compromised by debris or suffering from structural damage.
Having well maintained stormwater drains can stop water from pooling, as this can attract pests or cause water damage.
Gutter Drains
Gutter drains channel water off the roof of a property and away from its foundation.
These can be blocked by plant material like leaves and twigs due to them being outdoors, and these blockages can cause water to seep into your home where it will cause mould or damp issues. You can reduce the risk of this by installing gutter guards and cleaning guttering at least once or twice a year.
Foundation Drains
Foundation drains, which may also be called weeping tiles, are installed at the base of the foundation of a property. They are designed to stop water from making its way into the home, which can cause structural issues.
If you have foundation drains, ensure that you are regularly inspecting the landscape and grading so that they remain effective.
Slope Drains
Slope drains use pipes to direct water away from a structure and down a slope instead. The pipes are installed and connected so that they are on a slight incline, allowing water to flow smoothly through the pipe and away from the building.
Surface Drainage Systems
Surface drainage systems are usually shallow, parallel ditches dug into the ground that are there to channel rainwater and water runoff. The ditches act like water canals and guide water away to the main drainage systems so that it does not pool and cause flooding.
French (Subsurface) Drains
Subsurface drains are hidden beneath the top layer of soil in the ground outside of a property. They work by removing excess water at the root level through underground pipes, which lead to a larger collector drain to prevent your garden from becoming waterlogged.
Swales
A swale is a shallow drainage channel in the ground that has sloping slides, and it collects water runoff so it can soak away. They are mainly used outdoors to help slow or control water so that it does not cause flooding or erode the soil.
They can also prevent storm drains from becoming overwhelmed by a sudden influx of water, as they spread the water runoff over a large surface and stop it from draining too fast.
Point Drains
Point drains are often contained within the floor of your home and need the floors to be sloped in the direction of the drain.
They work by collecting water from a single point, such as the drain that you may have in the middle of a shower.
Trench Drains
Trench drains are a surface system unlike other drainage systems, and they consist of a large trench that contains a drain channel held in place with concrete. This channel can be narrow or wide, and is covered with a metal grate.
A trench drain works by intercepting the flow of water runoff over large areas of ground, and taking the water from the ground surface through the channel.
Slot Drains
A slot drain has a unique appearance compared to other drainage systems, as it is pre-sloped and pre-assembled. As it has a slimmer design than other types of drainage systems, such as trench drains, it does not need a grate covering.
As this kind of drain is very adaptable and efficient, it can be used in industrial or residential settings.
In the UK, property owners are responsible for any kind of drainage system that is on their property, and if any issues arise it is up to them to address this.
Any kind of public drainage system is usually managed by a local water company, such as the drains found in streets or under paving. Regardless of if a drainage system is on a property or public land, being aware of the type of drainage system that it is can help in the event of any problems or when any changes need to be made to the system.