What To Consider for Slot Drains
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20/04/21
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Vodaland Canada
Slot drains are better looking and less expensive than trench drains. They rest flush with the surface of a concrete or paved floor or exterior hardscape, and although they typically don’t have grates or covers, covers are available. When choosing a drainage system, what to consider for slot drains goes beyond appearance.
Capacity
Slot drains come in different depths and slot wall heights for different applications. Consider the amount of liquid you expect the drain will need to handle, and read the specifications for different channel depths to select the type that will work for your purposes.
Load
Warehouses with heavy equipment, car washes, shower rooms, and parking garages may all use slot drains to carry water away to sewer systems. With trench drains, the grate must be able to handle the weight of loads that cross over it. Slot drains have a much narrower opening and no grate, so the surrounding concrete and pavement primarily bear the loads that cross over them. The slot itself is made of galvanized or stainless steel, providing strength.
Compliance
Slot drains and available slot drain covers should comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act for safety. They must sit in their trench such that they are flush with the surface of the floor or pavement, allowing wheelchairs or scooters to roll over them without impediment. Covers must sit so that they don’t catch heels or shoes when pedestrians cross over them.
Heat, Chemical, and Weather Resistance
Another thing to consider for slot drains is that, in many applications, slot drains carry liquids that are hot or contain corrosive chemicals. Select a slot drain that is rated to handle the types of liquids it will carry. If the drain resides outdoors, it may collect sediment or debris. Slot drain cleanout systems make removing any debris collected easy.
Installation
Slot trench drains should be easy to install, with channels and end caps that fit together easily. As with any installation, careful measurement of the trench depth in which the drain will sit is essential—a slot drain must sit so that it is flush with the surface of the floor or pavement in which it is installed.
They perform a necessary and practical function of carrying rain and wastewater out of and away from buildings, plazas, pools, shower rooms, car washes, and garages while maintaining a pleasing appearance.
