How to Put Drains in Concrete
- 1). Select a type of floor drain, either a trench drain or a square drain. Floor drains can be purchased at hardware stores. Trench drains are sections of drains that are connected to each other. The sections can range from 18 inches to 10 feet. Trench drains are typically more expensive to install and take longer. Square drains come in 6, 8 and 12-inch square or round shapes. They are installed into concrete floors and use pipes under the floor that collect and distribute water outside. They are less expensive and also easy to install.
- 2). Mark the location where you will install the trench in the concrete with a pencil. Measure the width of the trench and mark it. Make sure the line is as straight as possible.
- 3). Use a 4-inch grinder with a diamond blade to cut away the concrete along the line that you marked. Make sure to wear safety goggles and a mask to protect from flying concrete particles and dust. Remove any concrete particles in preparation for installing your trench.
- 4). Use a shovel and dig a 6-inch wide trench approximately 24 inches deep. This part of the trench leads outdoors. You will have to find a point in the house where you can create a hole and install the trench to lead water outside your home. The trick is to locate the highest part of the property and install the trench along that line. You can use a builder's level tool, rented from your tool rental shop to help flatten and level the trench as much as possible. Otherwise, use a builder's level to make sure the trench is level throughout.
- 5). Use a 6-foot 4x4 to loosen any compact soil at the bottom of the outdoor trench. Pour a one to two inch layer of washed gravel onto the top of the soil in the trench.
- 6). Install the piping. If you are using a round drain, you'll need to use a rigid plastic pipe that consists of two rows of holes on each secure. Cap all the holes in the pipe in the indoor trench section to avoid sending water into your foundation, but leave the outdoor pipe holes bare, just make sure they are pointing downwards.
- 7). Insert the pipe connections into each other, all the way to the end of the trench. Fill the trench with concrete and wait 24 hours for it to dry.
- 8). Use a chisel knife to break away the concrete in the center of the floor where the trench pipe is. This will provide the drain for the water to be dispersed into. Insert a metal drain into the hole to prevent larger objects or particles from falling into the drain.
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