Choosing the right water drainage systems for your property can be difficult. There are a number of options on the market, and each property has its own unique requirements. At Everhard, we’ve spent decades working closely with installation partners, tradespeople and homeowners to refine and further develop our own stormwater drainage system. During that time, we’ve gained a fairly good understanding of the challenges that are faced during practical application on the ground and have developed ways of addressing these during design and construction.

If you’re currently in the process of selecting a stormwater drainage system for your property (or properties), we’ve put together a quick checklist of the different factors that you’ll need to consider when making your choice.

The Local Environment

Some surface water drainage systems aren’t designed for all climates and weather conditions. When you’re choosing a surface water drainage system, you should take into account how the surrounding environment will affect installation, effectiveness and longevity.

Rainfall

Rainfall is obviously a factor in assessing the effectiveness of any surface water drainage system. Annual rainfall levels, frequency, and the likelihood of large deluges or steady amounts spread over the year are important factors. Not only will these factors affect simple issues such as the capacity of your surface water drainage system, they will also influence installation factors.

Important factors include:

  • The width of PVC piping for additional drainage
  • The fall of the drainage system over its total area
  • Placement on the surface

If in doubt, you should always seek advice from a hydraulic engineer.

Debris

Some surface water drainage systems handle debris better than others. If you are installing the system in an area surrounded by trees, long grass, or even soil debris, put in place some measures to ensure that during high levels of rainfall so your system isn’t overwhelmed by debris. Most good systems will come with attachments and other measures. This includes gratings or leaf baskets to reduce the amount of debris that enters them while still maintaining maximum drainage capacity. Choose a system that provides additional barrier against debris.

Soil Type

The soil surrounding your surface water drainage system can play havoc with its effectiveness and lifetime if not correctly accounted for. Make sure you understand your soil type, how much its likely to shift, contract or expand in different weather conditions, and install your surface water drainage system in a way that is flexible and works in all conditions. For EasyDRAIN, we always recommend that you install your channel in concrete to alleviate any potential issues with soil movement.

Price and Quality

Price is naturally going to be a factor in any purchasing decision. However, we always recommend aiming for the best combination of quality and price that is within your budget. Systems can vary widely in price. This depends on brand, number of attachments and suitability for the area the system is expected to cover.

Don’t necessarily aim for the cheapest system that is “good enough”. Installed correctly, a good surface water drainage system will be both long-lasting and difficult to remove. So, you want to get it right the first time. As they say, buy nice or buy twice.

Installation Area

The area that you need covered by your surface water drainage system will play a part in your decision. If it’s a large area with decent natural drainage you may be comfortable for a cheaper system or one with reduced capacity. Alternatively, in a tight area that is likely to pool water in the event of a downpour, you’ll definitely be aiming for something with decent capacity, possibly at the higher end of the quality/price range. If you’re in doubt, speak with someone at your local retailer. 

Personal Preference

At the end of the day, most of our decisions come down to personal preference. We all have our favourite product ranges and preferred inclusions in products. If you’re unsure what is right for you or your property, reach out to a tradesperson you trust and ask for their opinion.