Slot drains are an excellent solution for managing standing water on any kind of surface, but they are not as commonly used as trench drains. In other parts of the world, slot drains are the most commonly used solution to handle water run-off or water waste in a variety of different kinds of conditions.
Slot drains have a number of advantages over other kinds of drainage. You might not have realized just how perfect slow drains can be for your needs at your home or business.
How Are Slot Drains Designed?
A slot drain is a linear drain that is used to remove liquid run-off and water run-off from a surface. These drains use a different design than standard drainage types and are made with a very small, slot-style opening at the surface level. The body of the drain opens up into a wider shape beneath the surface that needs to be drained. This means that slow drains can handle a large volume of water easily despite their low-profile surface area.
Slot drains can be used in nearly any application where trench drains and other standard drainage can be used. You could choose to use a slot drain in your factory, on your loading dock, or in your backyard around your swimming pool. These versatile drains are very effective and can be installed quite easily in most cases as well.
How Are Slot Drains Different Than Trench Drains?
Slot drains can accomplish the same job as trench drains, but they differ in numerous ways. Slot drains are made with very narrow openings at the surface compared to trench drains. They are also shaped differently than other standard drainage, having a narrow throat in the drain body, which widens below the surface to accommodate the flow of water. Lastly, they do not use grates as many other drain styles do.
These design notes offer some key benefits that other drainage styles cannot. These are the many benefits that you will enjoy if you opt to install a slot drainage system on your property:
1. They are very low-profile, which makes them ideal in situations where you want to prevent people from tripping on them or catching their heels in them. They are also ideal in locations where wheeled traffic must pass over them as they do not impede vehicle tires.
2. They are very effective without requiring added parts like drain grates, which can make them cost-effective to install and maintain.
3. They often perform better than trench drains because their shape helps to funnel water below the surface in question with ease. They have a wider open drainage space than what is afforded by trench grates, which makes them much less likely to suffer from clogs and other impediments to proper drainage as well.
4. They use fewer components than other traditional drain types as well, which makes it simple to install these drains and maintain them.
5. They are very minimal visually, which can be ideal if you don’t want to install large drains right in the middle of a space that is meant to be decorative.
6. Slot drains are easy to connect to existing drainage that you might have on your property and can also be joined with catch basins and other drainage components with no trouble at all.
7. Slot drains can be made to suit your needs and can be purchased as prefabricated drainage systems or custom solutions that you can have built just for your unique location.
Perhaps the only detraction to slot drains is that you cannot decorate them with creative or unique gratings as you can with trench drains. However, the fact that your slot drain will not be visible can allow you to add a slot drain without worries about changing the appearance of the flooring or surface around the drain.
How to Maintain a Slot Drain
You might be wondering if your slot drain will need special maintenance due to its shape and design. These drains are actually very simple to clean and care for. You will just need to get some special cleaning tools to make the job straightforward.
You will want to have a flexible brush that can be used to sweep out and clean the channel of the drain. You might also want to be sure that you have a paddle that will push solid debris out of the bottom of the drain.
All drainage systems need to have upkeep performed on them. You can hire someone to provide these services, or you can invest in the tools necessary to care for your slot drains correctly. The process is so simple that many home and business owners simply take care of the upkeep that is needed a few times a year.
You will also need to be sure that you have connected your slot drains to any existing drainage correctly to prevent issues with clogs or backups. This is not a common issue, but it can crop up when people do their own drainage installations. It is often worth it to remove old drainage and replace it with new and updated drainage while you are adding drains to a remodel or a new space in your home or business. Explore the solution to common drainage problems to ensure a smooth drainage management solution.
Slot Drains Are a Highly Effective Drainage Option
If you have been struggling to remove standing water from an area of your business or at your home, a slot drain might be the perfect solution for your needs. These drains are easy to install and nearly foolproof to care for. They also can tackle large volumes of water waste and run-off without impacting the appearance of a space.
Slot drains can be used in business applications, on patios, near the swimming pool, or even along roadways and paths. If you have been trying to figure out a great drainage solution that will not cause tripping hazards, impede wheeled traffic, or change the appearance of flooring or surfaces, then a slot drain is probably the right drainage solution for you.
