What it is
A channel drain, also called a trench drain or strip drain, is a long, narrow channel with a grate on top. It is set in or along concrete to catch water that sheets across a hard surface before it reaches a garage, door or patio edge.
The channel connects to solid pipe that carries water to an outlet. Because it collects water along its whole length, it suits flat, wide surfaces where a single round inlet would miss most of the flow.
When it is a good fit
- Driveways that slope toward a garage
- Patios that hold water against the house
- Pool decks and walkways where water sheets across
- Door thresholds and garage entrances
When something else may work better
- Lawn areas, where a catch basin or French drain is usually better
- Sites without an outlet lower than the channel
How it is usually installed
- Plan the channel line where water crosses the slab
- Saw-cut and remove concrete, or form the channel into new concrete
- Set the channel to line and grade and connect the outlet pipe
- Encase the channel in concrete and set the grate
- Run pipe to the outlet and test
Every property is different. A drainage professional confirms the design onsite. Call 811 before any digging.
What a drainage professional checks first
- How much paved area drains to the channel
- Whether the grate must carry car traffic
- Slab thickness and condition
- Outlet location and depth
- Expansion joints and how the new concrete ties in
Maintenance
- Lift grates and clear debris
- Flush the channel and outlet pipe
- Replace cracked or loose grates
What affects the cost
Pricing pending verification
Drainage.net does not publish prices until they have been checked against sourced data. See what drives the cost of channel (trench) drains, or request an onsite evaluation for a real quote.
Problems this can help with
Example drainage photos
Photos show drainage work in progress and are included for illustration only. They are general examples, not customer reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Will a channel drain stop water entering my garage?
It often helps when water runs down the driveway toward the door. If water rises from the ground or enters through walls, the source needs to be found first. See water entering garage.
Can a channel drain be added to an existing driveway?
Yes. The concrete is cut, the channel is set in new concrete and piped to an outlet.
This page is educational and does not replace an onsite evaluation. Conditions, codes and HOA rules vary by property.