Driveway & Garage Drainage Solutions

One of the more common questions we receive is how to remove water from your driveway, or prevent it from getting in the garage. This can be a very frustrating situation. Some will say to put a "stopper" in front of your garage, but what does this really do? This does not remove the water, this only forces it to sit in another area. Plus, over time, water will find a way into the garage if it really wants to be there. For that , a trench drain solution is the best. To take that water, and put it where it's supposed to be... not in your way. So here is a simple step by step guide to get started.

STEP 1 - Length and location.

As the homeowner, you know your property best, and while photos can help, they don’t always show the full picture. You’ll need to determine where the water is coming from and where it tends to collect. From there, you can plan a linear solution—deciding where your trench drain system will run and how long it needs to be.

This is the first and most important step. Don’t cut corners—if you’re going to install a system, do it properly and run it the full length of your driveway to ensure it captures the water effectively.

STEP 2 - What width should you use?

The most common is a 4 inch trench drain, however, some homeowners have so much water that just won't work. If you have a substantial amount of water running down into the front or end of your driveway, an 8 inch system could be the best bet. We also offer a 6 inch system that just might be a good even fit. This is entirely up to you, and if you want recommendations, you can always call us, we will help.

STEP 3 - Where will your water go?

One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking, “I’ll install a trench drain, and my water problems are over.” That’s not the case—you still need to decide where the water will go. Our systems come with PVC pipe connections on all three sides, so whether you want the water to exit from the side, bottom, or end cap, it’s completely up to you—but it must be directed to an appropriate outlet. Deciding on this first is critical, because skipping this step will result in water simply building up in your system.

STEP 4 - What's driving over it?

Let me start by saying this: do not use A-Class plastic. While our A-Class is rated for 3,300 lbs, vehicles put a lot of pressure on the system, especially if it runs along the side of your driveway. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. We recommend using B or C Class materials—B-Class galvanized stamped steel or C-Class ductile cast iron. Again, if you’re going to do this, do it right the first time to avoid any future issues.

And that's all folks! Those are the steps to fixing your driveway issues. When it comes to installation of our system, please visit our channel installation page, or if you want to use our installation brackets, click here for help.

Thank you as always for choosing Vodaland.

DIY Guide