Can I add drainage grates into my new driveway?

Yes — drainage grates (channel drains) are a genuine, commonly used solution for managing water at specific points, such as a low point in a sloped driveway or at a garage entry threshold.

These need to be planned into your driveway’s design and formwork before the pour, connecting properly to an appropriate stormwater discharge point, rather than added as an afterthought.

Discussing your driveway’s specific drainage needs with your contractor at the design stage ensures grates, if needed, are genuinely integrated into a coherent overall drainage design rather than treated in isolation.

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