How To Make a Covered Drainage Channel In a Home Compound



Posted: Tuesday, September 08, 2009

by Andrew Karundu
http://www.karundu.com

Drainage channels are used to carry surface water during the rainy season. This water can be from driveways, roof gutters or even surface run off from the landscaped garden. The drain takes this water to the main sewer system or collection point. This can be made using inverted block drains, molded concrete and masonry. The surface water system in a yard should be safe to avoid injury. This drains can be open or covered. The safest system is covered.

The covered drainage channel should have inlets to allow water to flow inside. The construction should consider the average volume of water to be collected from the area. The system should also be accessible for cleaning. This is to enable removal of leaves, soil or other materials that may cause blockage. The drain covers can be of precast concrete, metal gratings or heavy duty cast iron. The gradient should allow self cleaning of the drain system.

When designing for a drain, ensure water is trapped before it spills to the next compound. In making the covered drain, the work commences by marking the area. This should be done against the slope around the home. After marking, a trench of two feet wide and a foot deep is excavated. When the trench is complete, concrete is poured on the soil and laid to fall towards the exit. A short wall of one feet high is the erected on the two trench sides.

When drain walls are erected, rough plaster is done on the sides to make them smooth. In case the trench gradient is steep, short walls of eight inches are erected across the trench width. This is done at intervals of six feet to reduce the speed of water. The covers are then placed on top of the walls. If a cover grating is used on the drain, an angle line metal piece is fixed to keep it in place. When using slabs, a two inch gap is left in between them.

Andrew Karundu Is A Building Economist, Providing Home Based Solutions To Fixing, Repairing, Remodeling And Redesigning Homes. He Uses Simple Tried And Tested Methods To Improve Family Lifestyles.Visit His Site Here For Adequate Information On Most HOME IMPROVEMENT SOLUTIONS

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