What is yard drainage called?

Author: Rene Tillman  |  Last update: Sunday, June 7, 2026

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 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 drainage?

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.

What is underground drainage called?

Subsurface Drain (SSD) - A pervious backfield trench, usually containing stone and perforated pipe, for intercepting groundwater or seepage. Surface Runoff - Precipitation that flows onto the surfaces of roofs, streets, the ground, etc., and is not absorbed or retained by that surface but collects and runs off.

What is the street drainage called?

A storm drain, storm sewer (United Kingdom, U.S. and Canada), highway drain, surface water drain/sewer (United Kingdom), or stormwater drain (Australia and New Zealand) is infrastructure designed to drain excess rain and ground water from impervious surfaces such as paved streets, car parks, parking lots, footpaths, ...

French Drain VS Surface Drain. What's the difference?

What is a yard drain 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 the drain on the side of the street called?

Outlet ditches are drainage structures that lead the water from the side ditches away from the road area. The water from outlet ditches normally discharges to existing waterway systems, such as river channels and lakes.

What is a yard swale?

A: A swale is simply a shallow ditch that is used to carry off water. Swales are often so wide and so shallow that you do not notice them. On most city lots, where homes are 10 to 15 feet apart, there is a swale between the homes.

What is the drainage ditch in front of my house called?

A trench drain is a device designed to intercept and collect surface water over a long expanse. It is literally a trench with a grate on top. Trench drains are usually employed across a paved area to drain and direct water away from these surfaces.

What is the drainage system in the streets?

The road drainage system is a mechanism to effectively collect and divert all water that is gathered around the road. If adequately designed, it can help to “harvest” a large part of the runoff from the catchment uphill of the road and avoid waterlogging upstream of the road.

What is site drainage?

Site drainage refers to exterior systems that direct surface water, such as French drains, culverts, ditches, retention, detention basins, and curbing. This deficiency also includes grounds erosion close to structures such as fences, walls, foundations, parking areas, and walking surfaces.

What are the 5 major drainage areas?

Canada's major drainage regions are the Atlantic Ocean, Hudson Bay, Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

What is the drainage system around a house called?

Surface drains are the most common and widely used types of drains for residential areas, and there are many different types of systems that could be considered surface drains.

What is a stormwater drain called?

Catchpit/Cesspit (Public) Stormwater device composed of a grate, small chamber and sediment trap. May be private or public and are usually associated with drainage off road or driveways. Varieties include supa pits, mega pits or splay pits.

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.

How to fix drainage in yard?

Drainage and soggy lawns – what you should do now before the...
  1. Aerate your lawn. ...
  2. Amend the soil. ...
  3. Regrade your yard. ...
  4. Build a retaining wall. ...
  5. Install a French drain. ...
  6. Dig a dry well or catch basin. ...
  7. Install a dry creek bed or a rain garden.

What is the difference between a ditch and a swale?

Swales, although similar to ditches, are low valley-like intersections between properties, usually more moist and having more growth of vegetation than ditches. They are also used for the conveyance and retention of drainage and irrigation of land, however are usually located along the rear yards of properties.

How to divert water in a yard?

Redirect Runoff
  1. Swale. A swale is a wide, shallow ditch in which water can flow to a suitable outlet. ...
  2. French Drain. A French drain is an underground drainage device. ...
  3. Catch Basin. A catch basin is a collection box with a slotted drain at the top and a drainage outlet at the bottom. ...
  4. Splash Blocks and Downspout Extensions.

Who is responsible for drainage problems?

Drainage directed from gutters, downspouts or other private systems to neighboring properties is a civil matter between the property owners. Driveways, and their associated culverts or bridges, that cross public drainage systems (e.g., that cross over ditches or streams) are also property owner responsibilities.

What does a swale drain look like?

Swale drains are broad, shallow ditches that can be lined with grass, vegetation, or rocks. It's a more natural way to help drain yards to prevent flooding, puddling, and erosion. They can also be a great addition to your landscape by looking like a dry stream bed. You can see what swales can look like further down!

What is the difference between a berm and a swale?

Swales are dug out and layered with hügelkultur that can be planted on top while water percolates back into substrate below. Berms are mounded to direct and keep water in the swale.

What is a drainage slew?

Drainage swales are low-lying areas that allow water to drain into the soil. They can are a method for storm-water management and erosion control. As runoff flows across the land, it gathers up sediment and debris.

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 is a drainage ditch next to a road?

Another purpose of a roadway drainage ditch is to drain water from under the roadway. The base is the foundation for supporting the load of traffic on the asphalt roadway. If water becomes trapped in the base, it weakens the structure of the roadway, leading to premature failure of the roadway.

What are the different types of side drains?

Sides drains can be constructed in three common forms: V-shaped, rectangular or as a trapezoid (Figure 1).

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