VIEWPOINT THE PHANTOM MENACE
Angus Crichton, marketing manager at ACO House & Garden on why drainage shortcuts can pave the way to disaster.
WE ALL SEEK shortcuts in our daily routines – some are acceptable, while others can lead to unforeseen consequences. It’s a lesson learned, often the hard way, that this is a practice that almost always ends unfavourably.
Drainage challenges The fundamental purpose of a channel drain is right there in its name: it channels rainwater runoff from undesired areas to where it should be. However, when shortcuts are taken during installation, rainwater can linger in the wrong places, leading to complications down the line. For example, Tony and Joyce, bought their new build in 2022. The property featured a run of channel drain to safeguard the garage entrance, however, once rainwater had drained into the channel drain, there was no path for it to follow – the channel had not been connected to the stormwater drain.
In another instance, I personally observed the installation of ACO HexDrain in an Oxford driveway with no endcaps. Once again, rainwater was left to seep into the surrounding subbase. This situation is commonly referred to as phantom drainage – when an installation fails to remove rainwater from the installation location.
Allowing water to infiltrate the
underlying subbase and subgrade will weaken the load-bearing capacity of the pavement over time, resulting in depressions and surface movement. Chris Barker, a housebuilder in Surrey with over 30 years of experience in construction, shared a story with me about an entire driveway that slid onto the road after heavy rainfall, all because it had been installed on a slope with phantom drainage.
While it may seem like a cost- saving shortcut, it can have severe repercussions on a contractor’s reputation and incur significant expenses when rectifying faulty work. Hence, it is imperative that the channel drain is properly sealed and connected to a downstream drainage system – and that’s where accessories play a crucial role.
Accessories
ACO offers a comprehensive range of accessories for each channel drain system to ensure runoff is channelled in a responsible, legal, and sustainable manner. These accessories should not be considered optional, as they make it possible for your customers to achieve the following: ¡ Contain: Clip-on endcaps with additional sealant ensure that rainwater remains within the channel. They are far more secure and quicker to install than hunting
around the site for the right-sized piece of slate. ¡ Corner: Channel drains often need to conform to the building or paving layout, requiring corners or T-junctions. ACO provides corner units for each of its channel systems, complete with knock-out pieces to connect up to four runs of the channel. ¡ Clean: A sump unit placed before or within the outlet eliminates the buildup of silt, preventing pipework or downstream soakaways from becoming obstructed. A leaf guard over the outlet provides extra protection from debris. Access units are essential for a series of slot channel drains to facilitate regular maintenance. ¡ Connect: ACO channels come with vertical outlet knockouts, while endcaps can be replaced with horizontal outlets. This flexibility means the outflow options can be tailored to the most suitable location for the downstream drainage connection. Round and square downpipe connectors can be clipped onto the channel, just like a grating, to convey rainwater from roof drainage into the channel.
Rainwater runoff Current legislation already mandates on-site disposal of rainwater. For instance, in the front of a property, if a new
driveway is laid or renovated and the area exceeds 5m2 (in England and Wales; 0m2 in Scotland), rainwater must be managed on-site, and it cannot be allowed to escape the property. Therefore, customers require a comprehensive channel drainage system that encompasses not just the channels but also the accessories that ensure proper rainwater management. Recommendation of the ACO channel drain system will enable customers to complete their projects efficiently and may even result in increased sales. It can be integrated into a sustainable drainage solution, from roof to ground level, which keeps rainwater out of the drainage system, mitigating the risk of sewage overflows into waterways. Phantom drainage is a risky shortcut that can be entirely avoided with the right solutions. ACO’s array of drainage solutions and accessories equips drainage professionals with all the tools they need to install a comprehensive drainage solution. ACO’s product trainer Adam Donnaloia supports merchants in-person or online to learn about ACO’s channels and accessories. As a result, merchants can better equipped to advise their customers on providing secure and sustainable drainage, and combating phantom issues. BMJ
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www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net December 2023
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