Driveway Swale Drain at Alstonvale NSW – 0100.A - Australian Concrete Mats (2024)

FAQs

What is a driveway swale? ›

Swales are long, narrow depressions that can be along sidewalks, streets, parking lots, and driveways that filter pollutants, prevent erosion, and store water during storms. Swales need regular maintenance to function correctly.

Overall, swale drains prevent flooding by directing to other, concrete drains - creating a controlled outlet for stormwater. They can also be combined with other concrete drain installations to capture rainwater for reuse.

A good swale width is around 16"-18" - wide enough for you to get in and dig. Dig a level trench. The trench can be as deep as you need - 1' is about average, less if you don't plan on filling it in with anything. Loosen the dirt with a pick.

A swale drain is essentially a ditch that gets covered or lined with either grass or another type of vegetation. The goal of a swale drain is to slow and control water runoff to prevent flooding, puddling, and soil erosion.

When should you not use a contour swale? Contour swales are not the tool you want to choose when the issue you are facing is too much water and oversaturation on your site. They are also best used on slopes that are 3:1 or less because that keeps your berm from getting too steep, causing further erosion.

Affordable: The average cost to build a swale drainage ranges from $0.50 to $1 per square foot or $5 to $15 per linear square foot, making this drain type one of the most affordable to install. Aesthetic appearance: Due to their inconspicuous appearance, swale drains can easily fit into your landscaping plans.

Reseed bare areas to avoid erosion. Be sure to water during the initial establishment period. Inspect and maintain or repair components. After rainfall, check the swale to ensure the water does not pond longer than 2 or 3 days after a rain storm.

A swale is a gentle trench that slopes down and away from a home's foundation. With the trench in place, fill the swale with river rock and then line the edges with pea gravel to create an efficient and attractive water diverter.

CONCRETE SWALES are concrete channels used to catch and direct surface runoff. Construction involves the installation of a concrete channel, 12", 18", 24" or more wide, 4 or more inches thick installed across the length of the area to be protected.

French drains have a more functional purpose, as they are intended to keep water away from the foundation. Swales, on the other hand, are often recommended by landscapers as a general-purpose drain. Swales are sometimes not an option in urban areas because they require large lots to shape properly.

What do you fill a swale with? ›

Where drainage is slower still, replace soil with 60 percent screened sand and 40 percent compost. If the swale itself can't be made big enough to handle all the water, consider excavating another 6 to 8 inches, lining the trench with filter fabric, laying perforated pipe, then covering it with round ¾-inch gravel.

Although a swale and drainage ditch may look the same, a ditch is designed solely for conveying drainage water, with no water quality treatment intended. A swale, on the other hand, is typically a regulated and engineered SCM that is credited for treating and conveying stormwater.

WHAT IS A SWALE? Swales are one of the most commonly used stormwater practices. For many years they have been used along rural highways and residential streets to convey runoff. Today, swales not only convey stormwater but also help to treat runoff to reduce pollutants.

A swale is an engineered ditch with very specific slopes, bottom width and soil requirements. A ditch is a v-shaped open channel. A culvert is a drain pipe under the road. All three are designed to quickly move rain off of roadways.

A swell is characterized by an upward bulge in the pavement's surface. A swell may occur sharply over a small area, or as a longer gradual wave. Either type of swell can be accompanied by surface cracking.