The 10 Best Trench Drains
This wiki has been updated 21 times since it was first published in December of 2018. While a simple floor drain works well in many cases, sometimes a rapid accumulation of liquid can be overwhelming. These trench drains are extremely efficient at evacuating excess water through a narrow, channel-shaped body. They’re also useful in industrial settings for containing chemical or contaminant spills, and some are designed specifically for installation in showers. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
March 19, 2021:
Designed specifically for use where surface water tends to pool, a trench drain is an elongated channel that is sunk into the ground, and has a grill over the top to allow the water to flow, whilst keeping out debris. They are most commonly found on driveways and patios, around pool areas, and in some instances can even be used in your shower area and bathroom.
In this update to the ranking, we reassessed or previous recommendations and found them all to be effective and durable options, therefore, no changes were made at this time. Choosing the ideal drain for your home will depend on the location it is needed for. Driveways will most likely have some form of vehicular traffic so an option with a high load-bearing design, such as the Standartpark System, which can support more than 3,000 pounds, or the Source 1 Drainage Driveway, which has a class-B rating, making it sturdy enough for trucks and light-duty vehicles, are suitable choices. Similarly, the Standartpark Set is formed from cast iron and is rated for up to 40 tons, However, its construction makes it rather heavy and doesn't allow it to be cut down in length. Both the Ushower Floor and the Neodrain Brick are designed for use in a bathroom, and as such have more elegant styling and are made from stainless steel. For poolside use, a longer kit may be more desirable. The Source 1 Drainage Driveway comes in a pack of three providing 10 linear feet in total, whereas the NDS Pro is a pre-assembled modular kit that is available in one-meter sections that can be locked together to create a drain of any length necessary.
January 04, 2019:
Included the Ushower Floor and Neodrain Brick for those in need of a shower drain who want something that looks a little more classy than a model you’d install outside. Noted that the actual color of the NDS 400 Spee-D may differ a little from what’s shown in the pictures. Researched the Fernco StormDrain, but multiple users reported that it did not include all of the necessary accessories.
Special Honors
Drainage Kits Offering a wide range of drainage solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial applications, this company supplies a variety of tailor-made kits and replacement parts, and can even recommend a qualified installer in your area. drainagekits.com
Trench Drain If you are looking to replace or upgrade the grates on your existing drains, this company supplies decorative options made from aluminum and bronze in a range of patterns. They can greatly enhance the look of patio and pool areas, and are ADA compliant. trenchdrain.com