What is a drainage channel, and why does it keep blocking?
People often try to save money on drainage channels, but it usually backfires.
A better-shaped, bigger channel is easier to maintain, take apart and put back together. It keeps water moving and protects your home for years.
It's one of the few times where a little extra now prevents a big cost later.
What exactly is a drainage channel?
These are the long, narrow slots you see along:
- Driveways
- Patios
- Door entrances
- Garages
- Pathways
They're designed to catch surface water and carry it away safely, before it enters the house or floods the garage or yard.
But when they block, water sits. Then it finds the lowest point.
That's when it enters garages, kitchens, or flows across the garden.
Why drainage channels block.
1. Silt and mud build-up.
Rain washes debris into the channel. It slowly fills until there's no space left.
2. Leaves and garden waste.
This forms a mat that stops water entering.
3. Fat and grease from kitchen waste.
If a kitchen gully is nearby, fat finds its way into the channel.
4. Broken or collapsed channel sections.
Some older channels warp, sink, or break under vehicle weight.
5. Soakaway failure.
Even when the channel is clear, the water has nowhere to go. This is common in older properties or clay soil areas.
Signs your drainage channel is failing.
- Water "ponding" along the driveway
- Water rising above the channel and flowing toward the house
- Smells around the channel
- Surface water disappearing then reappearing
- Heavy algae growth (sign of constant moisture)
What you can try yourself.
Quick homeowner checks:
- Lift out the grates if possible
- Remove debris with gloves
- Scoop out silt where visible
- Flush with a bucket or hose
If water still sits, the problem is further down.
When it's time to call ASL Limited.
The service includes:
- A proper clean using high-pressure water
- CCTV inspection through the outlet run
- Test whether the soakaway is working
- Identify cracks, breaks or root intrusion
Many "flooding driveways" attended are actually simple:
- Blocked outlet runs
- Broken joints
- Channels installed too low
- Failed soakaways
Fixing them early prevents:
- Garage flooding
- Damp foundations
- Water entering kitchens or utility rooms
Got surface water issues?
📞 Call ASL Limited on 0800 181 684. The cause behind your surface water problem will be found, and it will be fixed before the next rainfall.
We cover Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, West Sussex and South West London.
Related services.
To learn more about how ASL Limited can help with your surface water drainage:
