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A step-by-step guide to ACO drain installation
Whether you have a car park that keeps flooding, surface water in a loading bay, or water pooling on your driveway, installing an ACO drain is an effective way to remove surface water, improve safety, and protect the surrounding buildings.
ACO drainage systems can help to manage surface water by collecting and then redirecting it to underground drainage systems.
Explore our commercial drainage channels range
Contents:
- What do you need to install an ACO drain?
- How to install an ACO drain: A step-by-step guide
- Why is surface water management so important?
- Who is ACO?
- What is an ACO drain?
- Are there different types of ACO drain?
- Where are ACO drains commonly installed?
- Maintaining your ACO drainage system
- Commercial drainage channel solutions from Forward Builders’ Supplies
What do you need to install an ACO drain?
Before installing an ACO drain, you should first gather all the materials and equipment needed for the job.
Here's a quick rundown of the essentials:
Materials:
- ACO drainage channels
- Grates
- End caps and outlet connectors
- Concrete or bedding material (sand or gravel)
- Drainage pipes (to connect it to the main system)
Tools:
- Spade or other trenching tool
- Spirit level
- Tape measure
- String line and stakes
- Trowel
- Rubber mallet
- Saw
- PVC or concrete adhesive
PPE:
- Gloves
- Safety boots
- Eye protection
Select your essentials from our commercial drainage channels range here
How to install an ACO drain: A step-by-step guide
Installing an ACO drain is a straightforward process for a professional builder or anyone competent at DIY, but it's best to familiarise yourself with the process before you get started.
The installation process and best practices may vary slightly, depending on the type and brand of linear drainage system you’re installing – so check the manufacturer's instructions before starting.
For an idea of what's involved, we've put together this step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Plan your drainage route and outlet
First – identify where the surface water is collecting and where you need to direct it to.
Your drainage channel will need to discharge water into one of the following:
- An existing underground drainage system
- A soakaway
- A surface water drain
Step 2: Assess ground conditions and usage
Now it's time to assess the area where you want to install the drain to help you choose the most suitable channel drainage system.
Things to consider at this stage include:
- Ground type
- Expected traffic
- Volume of surface water
Step 3: Mark out the channel position
Once you've selected a suitable channel drainage system, it's time to mark out the route it will take to redirect water. Use a string line and stakes to mark a straight route.
Step 4: Excavate the trench
Now for the strenuous part – digging the trench.
You'll need to dig one that’s wide and deep enough for both the drainage channel and the bedding material.
Depending on the type of bedding material you’re using, you should allow about 50mm for a sand or gravel bed or about 100mm for a concrete bed.
Your drain should either sit flush with the surrounding ground or 2-3mm below it to ensure water runs off the surface rather than pooling.
Step 5: Prepare the base
Once you've dug your trench, add your bedding material to form a stable base for your channel drainage system.
Use a spirit level to ensure you maintain a slight gradient of about 1:100 to help maintain water flow.
Step 6: Assemble and position the channels
Now it’s time to connect the pieces of your ACO drainage system.
You’ll need to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for this part.
Once you’ve connected the pieces, you can start placing them in the trench, ensuring that they sit level and follow the correct gradient.
Finally, attach the end caps and the outlet connector.
Step 7: Connect to the drainage system
Next, use suitable pipework and PVC or concrete adhesive to connect the channel outlet to your new drainage system.
Take care to ensure that the connection is properly sealed and watertight so you don’t end up springing a leak!
Step 8: Check alignment and levels
Before you go any further, it’s time to double-check everything you’ve just done to prevent future problems.
Check that:
- The channel either sits flush with, or 2-3mm below, the surrounding surface
- The fall is consistent
- All sections are aligned correctly
Step 9: Backfill and secure
Once you’re happy, it’s time to backfill the hole around your ACO drainage system with gravel or concrete to secure it in place.
Step 10: Test the system
Finally, it's time to test your new drainage system.
Pour water along the length of the channel to make sure it flows smoothly into the drain rather than pooling.
Then, check that the channel and grates are firmly in place and don’t move under pressure.
Why is surface water management so important?
Unmanaged surface water is not just inconvenient; it can also be hazardous to the people and buildings around it.
By efficiently managing surface water, ACO drains help people and businesses to improve safety, protect buildings, and ensure compliance with drainage standards.
Some of the key benefits of installing an ACO drainage system include:
- Prevents flooding
- Improves safety
- Protects buildings and surfaces
- Reduces maintenance and repair costs
- Complies with UK building regulations and health and safety laws
Who is ACO?
ACO is the world’s leading global manufacturer of channel drainage solutions.
The company produces a wide range of products designed to efficiently collect, manage, and remove surface water and liquids across a wide range of environments.
What is an ACO drain?
An ACO drain is a type of channel drainage system that has been manufactured by ACO.
Because ACO is the leading supplier of channel drains, the term “ACO drain” is often used for all channel drainage systems – but it’s worth noting that not all channel drains are made by ACO.
You may hear ACO drains referred to by various names, including linear drains, channel drains, trench drains, and surface water channels – they’re all the same thing!
ACO channel drainage systems consist of long, narrow channels installed at ground level and fitted with removable grates. Surface water then flows into the channel, which then redirects it to an underground drainage system.
One of the key features of a channel drain is its linear design; water is collected along the drain’s entire length, rather than from a single point.
Are there different types of ACO drain?
ACO’s linear drainage systems are used in various environments, including industrial, commercial, and residential settings.
Before installing an ACO drainage system, you should think about things like how much traffic it will be subject to, the volume of surface water expected, and any aesthetic requirements.
How you answer these questions will help determine the best products for the job.
The two main types of linear drainage systems available are:
Concrete drainage channels
The most suitable option for high-traffic industrial and commercial environments. Concrete drainage channels are extremely tough, durable, and resistant to chemicals.
Plastic drainage channels
Best suited to low-traffic areas like gardens and driveways. Plastic drainage channels tend to be cheaper and lighter, making them easier to transport and install.
ACO drain load ratings
All channel drains come with a load rating, which tells you how much weight the drain can safely withstand.
Make sure you choose a drain with a load rating that’s suitable for the environment in which it is being installed.
Here’s a quick guide to the most common ACO drain load ratings and the environments they're best suited to:
- A15 (up to 1.5 tonnes) Best for: pedestrian areas, gardens, and patios
- B125 (up to 12.5 tonnes) Best for: Domestic driveways and light vehicle traffic
- C250 (up to 25 tonnes) Best for: Light commercial traffic
- D400 (up to 40 tonnes) Best for: Heavy commercial traffic
- E600 (up to 60 tonnes) Best for: Very heavy loads
- F900 (up to 90 tonnes) Best for: Extreme loads
Where are ACO drains most commonly installed?
ACO drains can be installed anywhere where surface water is an issue, including areas that are prone to flooding, heavy rainfall, or standing water.
You often find them in:
- Car parks
- Driveways
- Loading bays
- Industrial yards
- Pedestrianised areas
Maintaining your ACO drainage system?
Channel drainage systems are generally very low maintenance, but you’ll need to keep an eye on your drain to keep it working efficiently.
Make sure you inspect your new channel drainage system for damage and blockages regularly and remove any leaves, stones, dirt, or litter that may have got stuck in the grate.
A buildup of debris can prevent water from flowing freely and cause pooling along the channel.
Commercial drainage channel solutions from Forward Builders' Supplies
At Forward Builders’ Supplies, we stock everything you need for ACO linear drain installation, including ACO drainage channels, grates, end caps, and silt buckets.
Whether you want to install an ACO drain in a car park, loading bay, or commercial driveway, we can supply everything you need to start managing surface water more effectively.
We sell products manufactured by leading channel drainage brands like ACO, Hauraton, and MEA, to ensure effective, long-lasting performance.
We also offer free delivery to customers located within 50 miles of our depot in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.
Browse our range of commercial drainage channels online, or contact our team on 0151 357 1035 to ask for help selecting the right channel drainage system for your needs.
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