garden water features

When installing a commercial drainage channel, among the most important steps is securely connecting the channel to an existing drain.

This ensures all the water collected by the drainage channel is safely directed into an underground drain or soakaway.

If this part isn’t done properly, your new drainage channel is likely to fail, causing water to accumulate rather than drain away.

At Forward Builders Supplies, we stock all the products you need to successfully install a new commercial drainage channel.

Explore our range here today

Does a drainage channel need to be connected to a drain?

Yes, your new drainage channel (sometimes called a linear drainage channel) needs to be securely connected to an underground drain network or soakaway – this is where it will reroute and discharge the excess surface water to.

Before you begin your project, you’ll need to identify the lowest point where water is naturally pooling and the nearest suitable drain or soakaway.

From here, you can map out the route your drainage channel will take to discharge the surface water into the drain.

Once you’ve identified a suitable underground drain to discharge the water to, it’s a good idea to check with local building regulations to ensure it is ok to connect your drainage channel and check whether you need to acquire a permit first.

How to connect a drainage channel to a drain

Wondering ‘how do you connect a drainage channel to a drain?’

This guide focuses on connecting a drainage channel to a drain.

However, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive overview, check our article ‘A step-by-step guide to ACO drain installation’.

Once you’ve dug a trench, prepared the base layer, and assembled your drainage system, it’s time to connect your new drainage channel to the underground drain network.

The tools you’ll need and the best method to use depend on where the existing drain pipe is located (for example, is it at the same level as your drainage channel, or lower?) and whether you are draining the water into an underground drainage network or a soakaway.

Step 1: Gather your tools and materials

Here’s a list of everything you’re likely to need for this stage of the project.

Drainage channel products

• Channel drainage system (already installed)
• End caps and outlet connectors (end or bottom outlet)
• 110mm drainage pipe (or other compatible size)
• Pipe connectors and fittings
• PVC or drainage adhesive/sealant
• Concrete or backfill material

Tools and equipment

• Tape measure
• Spirit level
• Trowel
• Rubber mallet
• Saw
• Bucket
• Mixing tool

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Safety gloves
• Safety boots
• Eye protection
• Dust mask

Step 2: Identify the connection type

How you should connect your drainage channel depends on a couple of factors:

Where you are discharging water to: is it an existing underground drainage network or a soakaway?

The position of the outlet: is it at the same level as your drainage channel or below it?

• End outlets: Water drains through the drainage channel and then exits from the end of the channel into the outlet.
• Bottom outlets: Water needs to exit from beneath the channel to enter pipework that is directly below or mid-run.

Step 3: Select an appropriate outlet connection

First, you need to select the appropriate outlet connection.

This will either be an end cap outlet or a vertical outlet adaptor, depending on the position of your outlet.

Make sure that the outlet connector is compatible with the size of pipe you’ve used (typically 110mm PVC in the UK).

Depending on your system, you may then also need to cut out the pre-formed outlet section.

Step 4: Connect your drainage channel to the drain or soakaway

• Attach a drainage pipe of a suitable size to the outlet
• Run the pipe from the channel to the drain, maintaining a slight fall along the pipe run
• Make sure the outlet connector and pipe end are clean and dry
• Assemble the connector and pipe without adhesive first to check alignment, depth, and fall
• Remove the connector and apply a layer of the adhesive or sealant to both the pipe and the inside of the connector
• Push the pipe fully into the connector and align immediately before the solvent has time to set
• Hold in place for a few seconds to prevent movement
• Wipe away any excess adhesive from the outside
• If using sealant, run a small bead around the joint and smooth off
• Leave time for the solvent to cure (refer to manufacturer’s instructions)

Step 5: Check alignment

Double-check that the channel is set at a consistent gradient and that all connections are secure.

Step 6: Backfill

Backfill around the channel and pipe with concrete or compacted material to keep everything secure.

Step 7: Test the system

Pour water into the channel and check that it flows freely into the drain or soakaway, looking out for any signs of pooling, slow drainage, or leaks.

Buy commercial drainage products from Forward Builders' Supplies

Shopping for building supplies for your next big project? If you’re planning to build a commercial drainage channel and start managing surface water more effectively, we can help!

At Forward Builders' Supplies, we stock everything you need to install a robust commercial drainage channel, including grates, end caps, and silt buckets.

Whether you need a drainage channel for a car park, driveway, or industrial loading bay, you should be able to find everything you need within our range.

If you need help selecting the right products, call our team on 0151 357 1035, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

All our products are 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.