The Effective Solution That'll Help Prevent Driveway Flooding

Although it may not seem like a big issue, puddles on your driveway are a warning sign you shouldn't ignore. If left untreated, the pooling water can cause damage to the driveway, creating cracks and potholes as water gathers, freezes, and thaws. It's not just the driveway that can succumb to damage from pooling water, either. Standing water can cause soil erosion, which, in turn, can make its way to your home and damage its foundations. Thankfully, there are quite a few driveway upgrades that'll help improve yard and soil drainage, and an extremely effective option is a channel drain. 

Channel drains are long, narrow trenches that are installed into the driveway's concrete or asphalt. The tops of the channel drains are grated, allowing water to pour in and be directed towards a drainage system or outlet pipe. These drains work particularly well for larger driveways or areas where water pools up quickly since they can handle a large volume of water. They can be especially beneficial in avoiding flooding and foundation damage for driveways that slope toward your home, garage, or other areas of concern. 

To ensure that the drain works correctly, is built to last, and adheres to any permits needed, it is best to hire a professional to do the job for you. But first, you may want to do some research the determine what material the drain should be made of and find the best place for it to go. In terms of materials, there are a few options for your channel drain. Polymer concrete is a durable material that is perfect for areas with higher water flow and costs around $25 to $55 per linear foot. Plastic is a more affordable at $5 to $16 per linear foot, but it's less tough than other options, so not always appropriate for driveways. Channel drains can also be made out of galvanized steel or stainless steel, but these are relatively expensive at $30 to $160 per linear foot, and usually found in high-traffic or industrial areas.

The professional you hire will discuss with you where the best location is for the drain, but you may want to note down where water has been pooling on your driveway to help them determine where it should go. You can even outline the puddle in sidewalk chalk. Installing a channel drain in a driveway costs an average of $400 to $2,400, depending on the material you pick for it. Additional landscaping might also be necessary. Although all this may sound a little bit pricey, it can be worth it in order to avoid damage and constant repairs in the future! It'll cost you if you have to repair a cracked concrete driveway – anywhere from $100 to $3,000 – and if this is needed time and time again, the money can soon add up.