Three Fabrication Materials for Commercial Stormwater Drainage
Posted on: 26 May 2016
Proper drainage of stormwater is essential in commercial and industrial properties. This will prevent flooding and the subsequent inconveniences such as inaccessibility of certain areas. In addition, stagnant water encourages breeding of harmful creatures and contributes to the deterioration of asphalt and concrete driveways and parking lots. If you are thinking about upgrading or building new drainage channels, it is critical to choose the right fabrication material. This will determine the durability of your new heavy duty drainage systems. Here is a short description of the three suitable materials to consider for your stormwater channels.
Concrete
Concrete is a resilient building material, so it is suitable for handling the heavy-duty demands in the commercial drainage network. Concrete pipes and channels can withstand high mechanical pressure from rushing water. Moreover, these can be installed in culverts and passing traffic will not cause distortion. When planning for your stormwater drainage upgrade, you will need to choose between precast and cast-in-place channels. Precast pipes are made in controlled factory environments, so their structural integrity is high. However, transportation can be an expensive inconvenience. Cast-in-place drainage channels can be more susceptible to damage due to poor curing, but they can be customised to match your exact requirements.
Steel Pipes
Steel drainage pipes are strong and long-lasting, so you should consider this option for your stormwater drains. There are two common types of steel metal to consider if you decide to purchase this drainage pipe: carbon and stainless steel. Carbon steel is considerably cheaper compared to the stainless steel type. The material is resilient and can support heavy-duty usage, but direct exposure to water and air will cause rusting. Therefore, if you elect to install carbon steel pipes, ensure that they are galvanised to mitigate the risk of corrosion. Stainless steel incorporates chromium into the iron and carbon alloy. This element will prevent rusting in adverse conditions, without necessitating special treatment.
Plastic
Plastic is the most economical category of materials for commercial drainage. The common types of plastics that are suitable for stormwater channels include heavy-duty PVC, high-density polyethylene and ABS. Plastic is perfect for your property if you are concerned about physical impurities like sand and pebbles in the stormwater. Plastic does not sustain significant damage due to abrasion like steel. These pipes are not vulnerable to corrosion when exposed to chemicals. Therefore, you can use the same drainage network for safe conveyance of contaminated industrial wastewater. In addition, plastic pipes are lightweight products, so they are easy and cheap to install.
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