How to Choose the Right Trench Grate for Your Facility
If you have a barn on your property, own a car wash, or manage an industrial facility, no doubt the building has a drain for quick rinsing and draining. Over that drain, you'll need to add a trench grate, and choosing the right grate may not be as easy as you think, simply because you have so many options from which to choose. The wrong grate can mean that water and sludge backs up onto the floor of the building and doesn't drain away, or it may cause damage to the vehicles driving over the grate. Note a few tip to consider in order to choose the right trench grate for your facility, so you know the drain always works as it should and your property and vehicles are protected.
For solid waste
You may automatically think you want a grate with very large openings in order to wash away sludge, but this can mean clogging the drains; solid materials may fill up the trench faster than the pipes can allow them to drain away. In many cases, when a drain is located in a facility that regularly needs to wash away solid materials, such as a barn or manufacturing facility, you want smaller openings in the grate in order to help break down that solid waste and keep it from clogging the pipes under the drain. Depending on the material, you may also want a serrated edge along the top of the trench grate so that it can help to break up sludge, manure, mud, and the like, and keep the drains flowing properly.
For vehicles
If vehicles will be driving over the trench, you may want a serrated edge to help clean the tires as they enter the building. However, note the size of the vehicle and type of rubber or other material used for the tire; a serrated edge that cleans heavy-duty industrial tires may easily shred smaller, plastic tires on lawn care equipment and riding mowers.
For pedestrian traffic
If your facility will have regular pedestrian traffic over the grate, such as in a barn or manufacturing facility, consider the surface. A smooth plastic can mean a very slippery surface, especially when it's wet and draining. A slightly serrated edge can mean better traction, or you might consider a custom grate with an insignia or logo design. This doesn't just make the grate look better, but it can also provide a bumpy or textured surface that is safer for walking.