Draining systems ACO for your house and garden

Rainwater needs to be accounted for when building a house. In addition to roof gutters and downspouts, it is also important to consider the drainage of paved areas around the building. ACO provides comprehensive systems for handling rainwater and wastewater. In this article, ACO will guide you through the options available for the construction or renovation of your property.

Every property owner surely addresses the protection of their asset against external influences. One of these influences is rainwater, which must be considered when building a house. In addition to roof gutters and downspouts, it is also important to think about the drainage of paved areas around the building. ACO provides comprehensive systems for managing rainwater and wastewater, and in the following article will guide you through the options available for the construction or renovation of your property.
Existing drainage of houses and their functions

House drainage can occur in several ways. The key distinction is whether it is "controlled" or "uncontrolled" drainage.

With "uncontrolled" drainage, it concerns areas where drainage is not systematically addressed at all. "The water flows away somewhere or gets lost somewhere." The problem arises regarding where the water gets lost or how far it flows away. The initial "savings" on the drainage system can therefore cause future problems with moisture in the building itself or, in the case of frost, damage to the structural layers of the paved areas and many other complications whose resolution ultimately means significantly higher financial and time costs than the installation of the drainage system itself would have cost. Controlled drainage can be further divided into surface drainage (of paved and unpaved) areas, and vertical, peripheral, or surface drainage of soil layers. Simply put, into surface and subsurface drainage. Subsurface drainage, or drains, are a separate chapter regarding the drainage of buildings and the areas around them.

Surface drainage of paved areas can be done using ACO linear drainage channels, point inlets ACO, or a combination of both systems simultaneously.

Linear drainage using ACO channels is suitable for both small and large paved areas around family houses. The main advantage of linear drainage is the diversion of water via the body of the channels up to the connection point to the outlet pipe. There is thus no need for the creation of a large number of connections (sewer) to the outlet pipe. In the case of linear drainage, it is also not necessary to slant the area to one spot, as is required for drainage using point inlets. The area can thus be sloped, for example, in one direction towards the channel line, keeping its surface flat, without unnecessary breaks or other obstacles. The area is thus drained while remaining user-friendly and aesthetically at the highest level.

Drainage using ACO point inlets is more suitable for smaller paved areas like yards and various nooks in private properties such as family houses. In the case of a point inlet, it is necessary to run a connection to the drainage pipe (sewer) directly to each individual inlet. Therefore, if it is necessary to use more than one inlet on the area, considering its hydraulic capacity, it is better to use linear drainage channels. Additionally, the area drained by a point inlet must be completely sloped toward this inlet so that the water does not remain stagnant or flows around the inlet. Therefore, the use of point inlets results in an uneven surface that requires a significant amount of connection piping to the sewer network. This can be avoided, for example, by using a point soakaway inlet. However, it is only suitable for very small areas without a large quantity of water and can only be used depending on the hydrogeological conditions at the installation site (if infiltration is allowed by the soil, the height of the groundwater level, and the structure of any adjacent buildings).

Comparison of ACO linear and point drainage
• flat, traffic-safe surface
• without drainage pipes
• channel directs water to the outlet
• easy cleaning of the entire system





Point drainage:
• complicated implementation
• wavy surface
• lots of sewerage





The right choice of drainage for your house
For usual drainage around family houses, linear drainage is therefore more suitable than point drainage, particularly considering the ease of installation and the subsequent aesthetic and functional quality of the entire drainage system. Linear drainage using channels can be selected from a vast number of various dimensional, load, and design options, satisfying every customer.


Linear and point drainage ACO, or their combinations
Both systems can exist independently, but also together. However, together only within one building or entire area, where, for example, larger areas are managed by channels and a smaller area (yard) is served by an inlet. Practically, there are not many cases where both systems are combined on the same area; there is no reason for it. All linear drainage channels have the option of connecting to the outlet pipe without combining them with a separate point inlet. One method for drainage from the channel and thus connecting to the outlet pipe is using a system channel inlet, which, however, is part of the channel line and therefore cannot be classified as a combination of both systems.

Regarding new builds, it is ideal to have drainage designed by the architect from the start. Particularly concerning the subsequent connection of the drainage system to the outlet pipe. But even in the case of retrofitting, it is good to at least consult everything with an architect or another industry expert, if only because it is necessary to comply with the legislation, norms, and legal regulations of the respective country. Each drainage system must be appropriately hydraulically and load-designed so that it can subsequently function correctly over the long term. The design can be assigned to an architect, or one can turn to a specialized company in the field. Our company ACO, for example, offers this design free of charge and without obligation! We are able to calculate the hydraulic load and subsequently propose a system that meets customer needs.

Drainage systems intended for "house and garden" are most often made of polymer concrete or composite plastic. The material is selected based on the subsequent design and functional requirements for drainage, but also considering the ease of handling, transport, storage, installation, etc. A very important component of both systems is the cover grate, which is not only the most stressed by loading and weather influences but is also the most visible since it is the upper part of the drainage elements. Cover grates can be made in various designs (bridge-type, grid, perforated, slotted, etc.) and also from various materials (galvanized or stainless steel, cast iron, plastic, composite plastic). From our perspective, the ideal combination at the moment is a channel with a grate – both made of composite material. It has very good load-bearing capacity, does not succumb to weather influences, the cover grate is very similar to cast iron, the whole system is lightweight and tough, and its installation is indeed very easy.

The lifespan of ACO drainage systems
With the right choice of drainage system and subsequent proper maintenance, it can be said that the lifespan is at least equal to that of the building itself. A very important factor is the correct sizing of the system for the subsequent load, the choice of the right material for the given application, but also the installation itself, which must comply with the technical requirements and regulations of each given manufacturer! Generally, the lifespan can range in the order of decades. The cover grates, which experience the greatest stress and wear, can be easily replaced at any time without the need to reconstruct the entire drainage system.
If you have any questions, please visit the ACO website at www.aco.cz or contact our technical staff for advice regarding a specific case.