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Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 6:21 pm
by Adam Ashworth
I am looking at buying my aco drain channel.
I see there are 2 types- the concrete and the plastic- both have a galvanised grill which is what i want.
I would rather use the concrete style as i am having grey blocks so won't see any black line which would be the case if i use the plastic type. The only problem is that the with the polymer concrete type i cant see how you attatch the vertical drain pipe? is it just a case of cutting a 110mm hole then pushing the pipe through?
Also if you wish to cut it to size what do you do with the end that you can not put a cap on?
Also to you use any mastic to join each end?
Cheers for your help people !!!
Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 7:20 pm
by Pablo
Hi Adam,
It's best to cut the hole smaller than the pipe that way it just falls into it and you don't need to mess about with sealant. A core saw or a jigsaw will do the job just fine. The galvanised covers on the polymer channel are very lightweight and can deform even under light pedestrian use so depending on where it's sited you may be better off with the plastic one. The channel also needs a silt trap or gully on it under the hole you cut for the pipe or the pipe will fill with muck and eventually block. The caps aren't neccessary just end it with some smooth mortar.
Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 7:41 pm
by lutonlagerlout
Adam Ashworth wrote:Also if you wish to cut it to size what do you do with the end that you can not put a cap on?
normally always get a little waste with these channels,as the ends meet together 1 way
as Pablo says some smooth concrete or mortar is fine
LLL
PS i prefer polymer
Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 8:12 pm
by Adam Ashworth
So do you think its better just using a plastic channel . I need about 5.6meters ? Will i see the black plastic though? I see that the plastic ones look a lot easier to work with- but they only let you cut it down ever 200mm? Think i would get away with using mortor on those sides?
Pablo with regard to the polymer style channel you said "The channel also needs a silt trap or gully on it under the hole you cut for the pipe" - can you buy these. I take it thats just to stop leaves ect getting in? Didn't fully understand what you mean there. sorry
Cheers 
Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 9:12 pm
by Dave_L
The plastic ones are crap, often shaped like a bloody banana
Only have used silt traps on the bigger aco channels, for something light duty around the house connect straight into the drainage run.
Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 9:16 pm
by Pablo
Basically they're the u bends that sit in the ground under your gutter downpipes nothing fancy but yes they will stop any rubbish that enter the channels from getting into your pipes. They have the same bore size as the channels so are easy to work with.
Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 9:23 pm
by Pablo
Sorry for contradicting you Dave but I've never seen a plastic channel shaped like a banana the clarkedrain or Aco ones are always perfectly formed. Also I wouldn't recommend not using a trap especially if you have a block paved driveway all that sand will choke the pipe especially after it's annual clean. I'm not advocating plastic over polymer it's the crappy galvanised cover on the basic channel that I have the problem with. The 252 and above rated polymer channels are excellent.
Edited By Pablo on 1305059290
Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 10:37 pm
by lutonlagerlout
I always use a P-trap type of gully under ACOs,those silt boxes cost an arm and a leg and no one wants to pay £60
I do have an issue with ACO,the company
they are very local to me and a mate of mine started a small BM business 4 years ago
they offer acos to him 50p cheaper than he can buy 1 in travis perkins
he can move thousands but they dont want to deal with a small operator,I really dislike that arrogant attitude in big business
so i use the generic polymer ones he gets now ,galvanised grate £10 a pop INC VAT
LLL
Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 7:18 am
by Adam Ashworth
So basically you mean putting a 'p' trap under the polymer drain. My only query is that when it fills with sand/leaves ect, how can you clean it out if its in the ground.
I take it you can place the channels onto a bedding of concrete which is sitting onto soil?
Cheers chaps
Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 5:15 pm
by lutonlagerlout
the channels are bedded onto leanmix and then haunched with wetter stronger concrete
yes the P-trap is hard to get to but its better than nothing at all
LLL
Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 5:58 pm
by Dave_L
Pablo wrote:Sorry for contradicting you Dave but I've never seen a plastic channel shaped like a banana the clarkedrain or Aco ones are always perfectly formed.
Hmmm well the ones that I picked up from Buildbase on Monday weren't the truest thing I've ever laid eyes on!
Customer didn't want the stark galvanised A15 gratings, wanted black so plastic it was. If it had been me I'd have had the steel ones and painted them black with a spray can.