Trench or Channel Drain Trench or channel drains typically cost between $30 and $100 per linear foot, but more complex installs, like drains that run underneath driveways, cost about $150 per linear foot. The total price tag of the trough or channel will vary depending on its length and the type of material used.
Radius Trench Drain
This is a complex drain design that allows the drain to follow a curve in a walkway or around something like a fountain. This kind of drain is usually about 2” to 24” in width and can be ornamental or plain. This drain type will typically cost anywhere from $30 to $150 per installed foot.
TRENCH DRAIN CONS:
Heavy forklifts and other equipment can damage the grates. High flow rates into the drain can result in splashing, causing contamination. The wider opening, though covered by a grate, can create a tripping hazard.
A properly designed trench drain will last for 25-50 years or longer. The wrong trench drain will often fail in 2-5 years, and sometimes, even sooner.
Plumbers are often one of the first professionals you may think of for new trench drain installations and/or retrofitting an existing system.
Trench drains vs French drains
The primary difference between trench drains and French drains lies in how they handle water. Trench drains manage surface water, using gravity to direct it away, while French drains deal with subsurface water.
On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $4 and $12 per linear foot if they pay someone to dig a sewer line trench.
This part of drain maintenance is most commonly required for business locations, but even residential trench drains need to be cleaned out a few times a year on average. When trench drains are not cleaned up regularly, they can get clogged and lead to standing water or even damage to the drain system itself.
With stormwater, most likely, your drainage systems would fall under land improvements. Stormwater best management practices such as french drains, downspouts and gutter systems, bioswales, and dry wells could qualify as depreciable assets.
The primary function of trench drains is water management. These structures gather and move rainwater to a drain or another outlet, preventing water from building up. This function is crucial for maintaining dry and safe surfaces, reducing the risk of slips, flooding, and water damage.
Swale Drain System
Swale drain systems are lesser known surface systems that are more broad and shallow than trench drains, making them a more subtle option. A swale drain is essentially a ditch that gets covered or lined with either grass or another type of vegetation.
An unprotected trench can be an early grave. Employers must ensure that workers enter trenches only after adequate protections are in place to address cave-in hazards. Other potential hazards associated with trenching work include falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and hazards from mobile equipment.
As a general rule, any trench drain that is installed in doors should be attached to some form of trap.
There are common reasons as to why and how a trench drain system can fail. Most often those reasons consist of poor maintenance, incorrect or improper drain system, grating, and/or installation for the application.
The average cost of a trench sits between $400 and $1,200 per 100 linear feet, but what you'll actually pay depends on what project you'll be tackling.
The average cost to install a yard drainage system is $4,617, but this project can range from as low as $800 for small-scale fixes to $15,000 for full-scale solutions. The average cost to install a drainage system in a yard is $4,617, though most homeowners spend between $2,120 and $7,114.
Capital improvements are permanent upgrades, adaptations, or enhancements that improve the property and increase your home's value. To qualify as a capital improvement, the IRS states that the property must meet the following conditions: The improvement “substantially adds” value to your home.
French drains are an invaluable asset for any homeowner. Their effectiveness in managing water, preventing erosion, protecting homes, and increasing property value make them a worthwhile investment.
WATER AND SEWER CHARGES ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE.
Backfill the Trench With Concrete
To ensure the drain channel is secure, you want to do this process in two steps: first, floating the channel 1/16-inch below the first layer of concrete. Then, once it has set, backfill the rest of the trench with at least 4-inches of concrete on both sides.
The average cost to install a trench drain is $30 to $150 per linear foot, depending on the grate and channel material (plastic, metal, or concrete). Trench drains are set into driveways, patios, concrete slabs, or between pavers with a flush grate surface that catches water in a channel.
Ideally, clean the French drain once every year. Test it by flooding the French drain to gauge its effectiveness when it comes to draining the excess water.
In most cases, home insurance will cover sewer line damage from specific events. This includes extreme weather (excluding earthquakes and floods), vandalism, fire, and damage from vehicles or falling objects.
Trenching services are often an essential part of plumbing services. This is especially the case when installing or replacing sewer and drain lines.
Trenching costs $5 to $12 per linear foot, depending on the length, depth, soil type, and obstructions. Digging a 100-foot trench costs $500 to $1,200 on average for underground electrical conduit or water, sewer, or gas lines. Trenching services charge $35 to $65 per hour for labor.