What is a Strip Drain?
Are you in the market for the ideal drainage solution for your space? Let’s talk about strip drains: what they are, how they work, why they work well and how we can help you.
A strip drain, as the name suggests, is a drain that looks like a strip—a thin and narrow drain that can span long lengths over various depths. They can be referred to as linear drains, trench drains (as it is a drainage trench with a drainage strip grate insert), and channel drains. They are an ideal product for architects and interior designers to achieve a sleek look that plumbing has never done before. Strip drains can be used for indoor wet spaces, like bathroom, kitchen or laundry drainage. Likewise, they can be used in civil and outdoor contexts, such as courtyard, patio, open-air foyers and entrances which benefit from threshold drains (such as balcony doors – no more tripping into or out of your apartment!), or in landscape contexts, such as swimming pools, driveways, and walkway drainage. Read more about strip Drain applications here.
Our strip drains are fabricated from stainless steel (304 and 316 grade – the most durable, low maintenance and service material for drainage), and are watermarked for construction standards across industrial and civil development projects.
Made in Australia, our strip drains are available in stock ranges, as well as custom features and finishes from colours, prints, pattern pressed, gold and other plated surfaces. Our flagship surface finish for civil applications, slip-resistant Heelguard, is the standard in Australia for its ability to perform in wet weather.
No matter how big or small your project is, or whether it’s inside or outside, strip drains are a great solution anywhere floor wastes and drainage systems for wet areas are required. They are the core of our custom and modular drainage design and management solutions.
How Does a Strip Drain Work?
Strip drains lay in a channel (a dugout or formed long trench drain – hence the word linear drains) that, once installed, then lies flush with the ground. Unlike point drains, strip drains may require only a single slope to the floor, meaning they don’t have to be centrally placed (which then require 4 angles for drainage and various cuts of tiles), and can be installed along edges—giving you more design options. The strip drain’s channel slopes gently towards the pipework, and the collected water flows down into the reticulation network, which takes the water to the disposal system (such as the main sewerage line).
Strip Drain Examples Gallery
Benefits of Strip Drains vs Other Drains
There are many reasons why strip drains are a great design solution, such as…
- When a strip drain is installed in a space, as mentioned above, the floor only needs to slope in one direction (depending upon its placement), making building and construction work easier.
- This also makes drying more efficient as linear strip drains are not just in one spot but the length of the drainage area.
- Strip Drains can handle large volumes of water, so are effective at draining a space quickly – though the actual drain hole limits the flow rate, there can be multiple drain holes with linear drainage.
- Aesthetically they are more pleasing than other drainage options, as they can be installed in discreet locations, such as wall ends, flooring junctions and thresholds.
- We can also supply them in a range of colours and finishes for visual impact, and, as with our Heelguard range, slip resistance.
- They also allow for a step-free space (no hob to trip on in showers for example), improving accessibility and ease of movement.
- Stainless Steel Strip Drains provide the hardest wearing and safest of all strip drain types.
How to Install a Strip Drain
The installation of strip drains is guided by the Australian National Construction Code, and should be done by a licensed tradesman. Depending on the specifics of the job, it may require the coordination of builders, plumbers, water-proofers, tilers and concreters much like any drainage solution. It may seem like an arduous process, but that’s where we come in…
We have studied and supplied custom-made stainless-steel drainage solutions for many years now, and based on that knowledge, we are proud to introduce CLICK DRAIN ® our proprietary stainless steel modular strip drain system that makes installation quick and simple. CLICK DRAIN ® components come in modular lengths that can be cut to size on site. This makes lifting and transporting them a breeze, and installation hassle-free in even unique situations.
Strip Drains: The Auswave Experience
As well as CLICK DRAIN ®, we supply full custom solutions to satisfy all your drainage requirements. We can accommodate various lengths, widths, curved grates and even lighting integration (strip lights). Stainless steel, being superior to other building materials, is long-lasting, doesn’t rust or corrode, and is well suited to Australian weather conditions and the harsh environments associated with industrial or marine locations. We use only high quality 304 and 316 grades stainless steel and on top of a superior design and manufacturing process, we can offer our clients, custom-made products that are one of a kind and specially made fit-for-purpose.
If you are looking for strip drains, whether conventional, modular or custom-made, have questions on support, warranty, order, price, or require information related to usage or industry type and interior design, contact our helpful team of drainage specialists. With a huge range of products on offer, we can give you sound advice on how to choose the best drainage solution for your needs.
Get in touch and contact Auswave today!