What is a driveway drain called?

Author: Miss Rachel Torphy  |  Last update: Thursday, July 24, 2025

Trench drain, also known as channel drains, slot drains, or line drains, are used to help manage water runoff from hardscape. Driveways are one common area to find these drains. Backyards with impermeable decking, like the concrete slabs built around pools, are another.

What is the drainage system in the driveway?

A driveway drain involves the installation of a narrow trench drain linked to a water diversion pipe that spans across the entire driveway's width. This method is a frequent go-to for tilted driveways and car-park entrances where water flows down into the lower area of the driveway from the higher ground.

What is the pipe that runs under a driveway called?

A driveway culvert is a drainage tunnel that is designed to transport water through something — such as through a section of land, under a building, or under a driveway. A culvert is designed to run perpendicularly underneath a driveway, allowing water and debris to pass through without flowing over your front lawn.

What is a concrete drainage called?

Culvert: Pipe or concrete box structure which drains open channels, swales, or ditches under a roadway or embankment typically with no catch basins or manholes along its length. Curb and Gutter: Pathway along streets that directs stormwater to a storm drain and into a pipe to be transported to a stream or river.

What is proper drainage for a driveway?

The drainage angle for a driveway typically ranges between 1% to 2%, or 1/8″ to 1/4″ of slope per foot. This slope is designed to ensure effective water runoff and prevent standing water on the driveway surface.

What is a Driveway Drain Channel Drain Trench Drain?

What is a drain in a driveway called?

Channel drains, trench drains or strip drains are linear drainage applications used to prevent surface and rain water from flooding garages, basements, driveways and gardens. Channel drains are straight drainage strips that collect and convey surface water.

How do I fix a drainage problem in my driveway?

How to Fix Driveway Drainage Problems. You have a few options for rerouting water away from your driveway and home. Depending on the type of driveway and your aesthetic preference, you can choose between installing a channel drain, French drain, swale, culvert, permeable pavers or by regrading.

What is the outside drain called?

Some of the most common outdoor drains include French drains, dry wells, catch basins, and trench drains.

What are the four types of drains?

Types of Home Drainage Systems
  • Surface Drainage. This type of drainage system focuses on getting rid of water from the top or surface part of your home. ...
  • Subsurface Drainage. A typical subsurface drainage system can remove excess water from the soil at the root level. ...
  • Slope Drainage. ...
  • Downspouts and Gutters.

How to redirect water runoff from driveway?

  1. Dig a Swale. A swale, a shallow trench, redirects water to a safe release area like a dry well, arid forest or pond. ...
  2. Construct a Dry Stream. Dry streams redirect water and prevent runoff damage. ...
  3. Grow a Rain Garden. ...
  4. Build a Berm. ...
  5. Direct Water into a Dry Well. ...
  6. Lay Permeable Paving.

What is the best drainage for a driveway?

Four Effective Driveway Drainage Ideas
  1. Catch Basins. If your driveway is extensive and covers a lot of area, one of the better options for you might be using a catch basin. ...
  2. Channel Drains. ...
  3. French Drains. ...
  4. Permeable Pavers.

Who is responsible for driveway culvert?

It is the responsibility of property owners to maintain drainage infrastructure constructed for private property access (e.g., driveway culverts and inlets). Not clearing debris and maintaining the drainage infrastructure could result in property damage that the property owners could be held responsible for.

What is the bottom of a driveway called?

A driveway apron is the section of the driveway that meets the road. It extends beyond the sidewalk (if present) and crosses what is technically considered the municipality's property.

What are the different types of concrete drains?

Concrete drains are often used in drainage systems and sewerage systems in construction industry, and various types of drain such as half round drains, underdrains, catch pits, gully traps, precast concrete trap drains, and V-shape block drains.

How much does a driveway drain cost?

You can generally expect to pay between USD $30 and $1,000 per linear foot of channel drain. However, more complex situations may cost up to $150 per linear foot. Plastic and wood channels are amongst the cheapest options.

What are the three types of drainage systems?

Understanding the Types of Drainage Systems
  • Surface Drainage System. Surface drainage systems remove excess water from the land's surface through channels or ditches. ...
  • Subsurface Drainage System. Subsurface drainage systems are implemented beneath the top layer of soil. ...
  • Slope Drainage System. ...
  • Downspouts and Gutter Systems.

What are the different types of outdoor drain pipes?

Different Types of Outdoor Drains
  • French Drains. These humble drainage systems use a gravel-filled trench to capture excess groundwater and surface runoff before it causes issues around your home's foundation or yard. ...
  • Trench Drains. ...
  • Catch Basins. ...
  • Channel Drains. ...
  • Downspout Drains. ...
  • Dry Wells.

What are the different types of pavement drains?

Drainage - Gullies, Gratings and Grids. This page deals with the surface fittings commonly used to drain paved surfaces. The main type of fitting used for this purpose is known as a gully, although it is often incorrectly referred to as a 'grid' amongst the general public.

What are yard drains called?

Yard drains are also called catch basins. As that name implies, the purpose of this drain is to 'catch' excess surface water in a basin and redirect it. The catch basin acts like a sewer drain and directs the water through a pipe sloping away from the basin.

What is exterior drainage?

An exterior drainpipe collects groundwater and directs it away from the foundation before it can cause any damage. It has perforations that allow water to drain in and out of the pipe. The pipe is usually buried in trenches all around the home's perimeter at the base of the foundation footing.

What is a culvert drain?

A drainage culvert is a structure, such as a pipe, that allows water to freely flow under various obstructions. These pipes provide effective stormwater management – allowing the free flow of water under roads, trails, and railways.

What is a sewer drain called?

The line from the house to the sewer is called the lateral line or just lateral for short. The line in the street is the sewer line and when two sewer lines connect to a single line that line is called a collector or a main line. If two main lines connect then the line they connect to is called a trunk line.

Who installs drains in driveways?

Professional Plumbers

Plumbers are often one of the first professionals you may think of for new trench drain installations and/or retrofitting an existing system.

How do you unclog a driveway drain?

If the water is not draining properly, use a drain snake to break up remaining clogs. Insert the snake into the drain and rotate while pushing it forward. Once you feel resistance, continue turning to help break up the clog. If you cannot clear the drain, it may be time to call a licensed plumber.

Why is water coming up through my driveway?

Finding water pooling or excess moisture on the surface of your driveway can be related to drainage complications—particularly a burst pipe. Alternatively, hearing a ticking noise at the location of the water meter area and a massive jump in your utility bill could indicate a leak under the ground.

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