Types of Commercial Drainage Systems and Their Benefits

A commercial building owner is required to ensure that their property is safe for operations. Everything must be up to building code standards, for commercial construction. This means that there is a responsibility to ensure that no danger exists that could result in any injury or other inconvenience to employees or customers.

For example, commercial properties should have appropriate drainage that helps channel water away from the buildings foundation. Injury and other health risks can become a concern when this is not taken care of properly. The key consideration here is the word “required.” Controlling any excess water flow efficiently requires the selection of proper commercial drainage systems. Today, we look at some of the common types of drainage systems, for commercial properties or greenhouse construction as well as where each may shine.

Common Types of Commercial Drainage Systems

The last problem you want is for any area of the property to begin to collect standing water. Without any runoff, infrastructural and other damages can become a huge concern. Preventing this means understanding which of the different types of commercial drainage systems work for you. Some will not be practical because of pipe requirements, while others may be aesthetically prohibitive.

Drainage Swale

Swale drain systems will typically be present in city or urban areas. They don’t have the typical look of a underground system that’s meant to collect water, as they appear to be nothing more than a shallow concrete curb, with channel for water flow or runoff. The more inconspicuous look allows them to be subtly placed in many areas.

Even though they are not very imposing, they do a great job of slowing and controlling outdoor water thanks to their large open surfaces, they’re great for regulating water flow direct to a storm drainage system, which prevents rainwater from overwhelming walls, buildings or foundations.

Point Drains

Point drains are subsurface configurations, which means that the floors around them must be appropriately sloped. Of course, you can end up with quite the eyesore if you find that a number of them are needed. This would create quite an un-leveled appearance, which makes facility planning a chore.

These drains, which typically bear a grate, are meant to function like those you would see in a shower or basin. Usually found outdoors at water-parks, or splash pads. Water is allowed to collect and flow through a single lowered point. Typically, you will find these in places where the topography or structure requires a concentrated point of drainage.

French Drains

This is yet another type of subsurface system, though the configuration here is a lot different. French drains are characterized by a perforated pipe (Big ‘O’) that you would usually find at construction or hardware stores. It will usually be run through a sloped trench. The idea is that water runoff can be controlled from the highest point to the lowest point. Upon getting to the latter segment, there will usually be a swale, cistern, or sewer to collect the water.

You will typically find these near the foundation of a building structure, as water will need to be quickly routed away by flowing into and down the pipe.

Trench Drains

A trench drain is technically a category that consists of different systems. Some are more standard, while others may have customized configurations. This is a surface system with a large trench, as the name implies. The drain channel is set in place with concrete. Typically, a heavy metal grate will cover the entire channel, whether it is wide or narrow.

These drains will usually be present when there are great expanses of ground to account for, like in commercial greenhouse construction. In such cases, they do an excellent job of transferring the water from the floor surface to wherever the final configured drainage point may be. Restaurants, loading docks, food processing plants and other commercial buildings will require trench drains, and some municipalities areas feature them as well.

Large HDPE Drains

HDPE is an acronym that stands for high-density polyethylene. Technically speaking, this is an offshoot of trench drains. However, they have a contemporary innovative design for connection, which makes them attractive for fast construction. The sections are pre-engineered at larger lengths to cover a lot of land quickly. This makes for an incredibly straightforward installation process, especially since the components are lightweight.

Even so, there is still a great amount of durability in the design. The purpose remains the same, which is moving water away from the surface to a disposal area. You will typically find these in industrial and agricultural applications, as they represent an effective large drainage option where chemical resistance and durability are high priorities. As the elimination of surface water prevents soil, fertilizers and chemicals from contaminating waterways and harming the environment, these are a perfect fit for commercial greenhouses.

Slot Drains

The slot drain is yet another trench drain offshoot, and it is also praised for its innovative approach. Its point of differentiation is its pre-assembled and pre-sloped configuration. These systems are on the slimmer side of the fence, which eliminates the need for any kind of grate covering. Additionally, installations can feature different materials, such as stainless steel.

These drains are among the most versatile ones on the market, which is why they can be found in car washes, industrial settings, agricultural locations, and even elevators.

Commercial Greenhouse Roof Drainage

Wastewater is not always grounded. Stormwater and other sources will often cause a roof drainage system to be necessary. After all, pooled water on top of a structure causes damage and unnecessary weight on building materials. Especially for poly or glass greenhouse structures.

Commercial roofing systems can come in different forms. Depending on your needs, they may even work together. For example, a gutter is very efficient at water runoff handling that prioritizes simply getting it away from the building or greenhouse. Furthermore, downspouts also exist for configurations that aim to take the water to the ground. It’s not uncommon to have a setup where gutters guide water to downspouts.

There are also internal drains that many buildings will feature. Again, these will take the water to the downspouts. You will not usually see internal drains on their own, as they tend to form a part of a system that is intended to get the water to the soil.

As is the case with grounded drainage, the onus is on the property owner to choose which types of commercial roofing systems are appropriate for the property. Some commercial greenhouses install rainwater collection systems for use in irrigation. Of course, working with the right contractor, like Ruthven Greenhouse Construction provides access to the expertise needed to make the choice effectively.

Let RGC Excavation Services Help with All Your Drainage Needs!

As a business owner, you have a lot of functional areas to deal with, which means that you can’t be worrying about drainage. Thankfully, it is not something you need to handle on your own.

Our team at Ruthven Greenhouse Construction understands the importance of ensuring that wastewater is moved quickly and efficiently. This is why we have chosen to specialize in areas, such as:

• Commercial drainage systems
• Excavation and drainage services
• Commercial greenhouse drainage
• Commercial parking lot drainage systems

When you decide to work with our team of experts, you can rest assured that any drainage configuration we suggest is tailored to your property’s needs.

If you’re interested in finding out more about our array of services, call us today at 519-326-3959!