Driveway drain constantly getting clogged...

[dockdoc]

So my garage is downhill a bit, and thus the water runs down to the garage door. We have a driveway drain like the one in this drawing.

It works well except there's constantly debris clogging it up. I have to be pretty cognizant of this or a big storm will cause water to backup into the garage.

I've reduced the amount of stuff going to it best I can - added metal edging next to the mulched bed near the garage, I leafblow all the time, but there are trees overhead and... stuff happens.

The issue seems to be that the slats are too big / wide, so very easy for debris to get in that I can't get out easily. Haven't seen any covers that have small holes instead. I suppose I could somehow cap it with screen or something, but it would probably look like ****.

Just deal with it I guess? It's not the end of the world, but I'm running low on projects!

 

[wagoncrazy]

The issue is the debris. Adding filters or drain covers just makes that worse in a downpour where all the debris goes to the drain opening.
You might need to just pull the cap when you expect a big rain, and let the debris flow thru.

I deal with this too. and it backs up if Im not paying attention. So I pull the cap and let it all flow thru when needed.

 

[dockdoc]

The issue is the debris. Adding filters or drain covers just makes that worse in a downpour where all the debris goes to the drain opening.
You might need to just pull the cap when you expect a big rain, and let the debris flow thru.

I deal with this too. and it backs up if Im not paying attention. So I pull the cap and let it all flow thru when needed.

There’s no cap to pull… if I take off the covers there’s a drain exit on one end and that’s got it’s own permanently affixed cover that has its own slats. All the debris accumulates there and I have to scoop it out for it to drain properly.

Now that you mention it maybe I oughta just cut that piece off and let the debris wash through and just clean out the pvc pipe every so often. It’s only a 30 foot run give or take to reach daylight.

 

[mike93lx]

There’s no cap to pull… if I take off the covers there’s a drain exit on one end and that’s got it’s own permanently affixed cover that has its own slats. All the debris accumulates there and I have to scoop it out for it to drain properly.

Now that you mention it maybe I oughta just cut that piece off and let the debris wash through and just clean out the pvc pipe every so often. It’s only a 30 foot run give or take to reach daylight.

I was just typing a response asking if it is pvc... Yes, let the debris in and it will wash itself out

 

[Firebrick43]

I was just typing a response asking if it is pvc... Yes, let the debris in and it will wash itself out

or plug up and flood the garage really bad. Its always fun when a small **** or muskrat crawls up one, dies and bloats plugging it tight.

 

[MarcSeattle]

Depends on the type of debris, but could you put something to act as a little coffer dam in front of the drain when a big storm comes along (or you're gone for a few days). Anything would work, like one of those D-shaped pieces of rubber used as rub rail for the side of a boat. It need only be 1/2 or 1" high. It would lay on the driveway 6" uphill of the drain. Even a 12 foot 1x2 would work as a test. The goal is to get the debris to back up behind the dam with only water running over it. Yes, that means you would have a puddle in front of whatever is used. When the rain is over, pull up the dam and put it along the wall of the garage, and then sweep up the debris.

 

[road_king]

Is the drain you have a NDS product as depicted in the picture you attached? If so, which NDS model drain?

 

[dockdoc]

Is the drain you have a NDS product as depicted in the picture you attached? If so, which NDS model drain?

It is NDS... not sure, looking at their website I think it's a Pro series

 

[Dig Doug]

Get some SS wire mesh and make a U out if it remove cover and set the mesh inside so the U is facing down and replace cover

trim the trees

 

[dockdoc]

Get some SS wire mesh and make a U out if it remove cover and set the mesh inside so the U is facing down and replace cover

I’ll look into it thanks

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

I suspect the ultimate solution involves a chainsaw...

 

[readhead]

I have been involved with the removal of several of the NDS trench drains over the years. Most of the time to small of a system is installed because of expense or lack of knowledge. My involvement was to provide grating and an angle seat to embed in the new concrete. The drain pipe is increased to 4-6 inches and when everything is done water is free flowing.

I’m not knocking NDS, I think for garage drains they work great and for driveway drains they can work well if specified correctly. I have had to compete with NDS for installed cost and by the time I supplied the metal parts and the concrete contractor included his cost to form the trench in a new installation we weren’t very far apart.

 

[road_king]

It is NDS... not sure, looking at their website I think it's a Pro series

If you have the 5" or 8" Pro series drain, NDS has grates that have smaller openings.

 

[mikedodge]

Our trench drain is like a catch basin. Leaves and debris get into it but don't clog it up. You still have to clean it out every few years.

 

[nadogail]

A short handle hoe works pretty good for cleaning drain trenches. Sometimes I used a modified spade.

 

[p00p]

What's uphill of it that's sending down the debris? Can you address that?
I'd make sure the slope is ideal for the most common conditions its seeing.
I wouldn't try solving for all conditions, and just plan to addressing it after a "rare" or extreme circumstance climate experience.