Regular maintenance of channel drains is essential to ensure their effective operation. Rainwater falling on a paved surface picks up silt, leaves, litter, and other debris, which is then washed into the channel, particularly during heavy rain. This build-up reduces the volume available for water flow, increasing the risk of channel overflow.

ACO provides a grate lifting tool (1367), which reduces the risk of damaging the grating when removing the grating to clean out accumulated debris in the channel.

Sump units are available with each ACO channel drainage system, to be located at the channel run’s outlet. Sumps trap silt and debris before it enters the onward drainage and need periodic cleaning out.

For ACO’s Brickslot channels, it is essential to install access covers at regular intervals and after every change in direction. As the Brickslot cover is built into the paving material, it is impossible to access the channel below for maintenance without access covers. In addition, an access cover with a sump below must be installed at the outlet, allowing the insert tray to be lifted and debris cleared from the sump. For ACO HexDrain® Brickslot channels, corner units serve as access points.

A pair of ACO’s access cover lifting tools (415924) allow the insert tray in the access cover to be lifted out. By rotating the two tools under the tray, it is supported and so is more easily removed with less risk of damaging the paving material.

When debris is regularly removed from channels and sumps, they are ready to drain the water away next time it rains. For further details, see https://www.aco.co.uk/maintaining-channel-drains.