DECK DRAIN THE RAIN AWAY
For some in North America and across other regions of the world, a nice sunny pool day seems to keep getting postponed by overstaying spring showers.
Late June into September marks the “wet season” in parts of the United States. While places like Florida began their wet season in May, summer is particularly wet in dryer regions of the United States like Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. They experience what is called the North American Monsoon. Other parts of the world experience increased rainfall during different seasons.
So why should pool owners, Builders, and Dealers alike keep their eyes on the sky?
Heavy rainfall causes damage to pools and in extreme cases will seep into your home causing a whole other flood of hardships. Storm runoff carries debris and encourages bacteria growth. In contrast, chlorinated pool water spilling onto grass erodes the soil and makes the ground uninhabitable for lawns and flowerbeds to grow. Similar fates befall wooden decks; water causes cracks and mold to form over time. Slips, trips, and falls are other hazards caused by pool and rainwater that could have been prevented with proper drainage.
But don’t let hope go down the drain, you can prevent your backyard oasis and home from becoming a flood zone with Quaker Plastics, a brand within Cardinal.
WE’RE TALKING DECK DRAINS!
Made of all-weather, rigid PVC and available in several designer colors, our drains can match landscape requirements for color and function. Even if a pool is constructed in an area that doesn’t have a subtropical climate.
all pools should be constructed with Deck Drains enclosing the pool perimeter.
This brings another question to the surface, what type of drain is the right drain? Whether installing a Deck Drain yourself, having it installed by a pro, or helping a customer make an informed decision, our Deck Drain Guide below will get you flowing in the right direction!
3” & 4” WATER HOGS
3” and 4” Water Hogs are just that, water hogs. They’re designed to accommodate an extreme flow of water where a 2” drain simply isn’t enough. Water Hogs are manufactured with a larger channel for increased water intake.
These drains are an excellent choice for pools built in damper locations with steep slopes and rolling hills. Think Florida and other similar geographical areas for example. 3” Water Hogs have a maximum flow rate of 43.8 gallons per minute while 4” Water Hogs have a maximum flow rate of 72.7 gallons per minute.
When debris does build up, both Water Hogs are designed with a removable top for effortless cleaning. Deck Drains without a removable top can be cleaned with a pressure washer between the drain inserts.
2” SQUARE DRAIN SYSTEM & 2” REMOVABLE TOP DECK DRAIN
Lets say a pool is surrounded by a poured concrete deck instead of a paver deck, our 2” Square Drain System is a reasonable starting point. Square Deck Drains are our most basic model designed with a concave top for minimal debris collection and a maximum flow rate of 32.4 gallons per minute. Our Square Deck Drain stands 3/4” tall and the Removable stands at 3″ with bondable, heavy walls, and a system proven in years of outdoor applications. For identical benefits with easier cleaning, our 2” removable top deck drain is the way to go.
You may have noticed that all our drains have “feet.” Located at the bottom of select drains, these feet hold the drain in place when poured concrete is used. 2” square Deck Drains are adaptable to ordinary 1½” fittings and stands on its own feet for easy upright installation. However, this is not the case with paver deck drains, those drains have their own way of prolonging longevity.
2″ PAVER DRAIN
Unlike our 2” Square Drain Systems and Removable Top Deck Drain, the 2” Paver Drain is designed specifically for paver decks with a standard paver height of 2-3”. As mentioned above, the most unique feature of this drain are the clips located at the bottom of the feet. These clips lock into the feet at the base and has a tab that sticks over it.
Pavers sit on the top of the securing clips to hold the drain down, forming a powerful hold that will last a lifetime. Continuing with Cardinal’s customization vision, securing clips can be installed on both sides or on one side to fit flush against walls. 2” Paver Drains join our family of drains with a maximum flow rate of 16.5 gallons per minute.
STREAMLINE | LOW PROFILE DRAIN
Cardinal pools are the centerpiece of any home and deck drains can be an eyesore to homeowners. This is why it can be appealing to opt out of installing one. Knowing this, we developed the original Streamline Low Profile Deck Drain and are the only ones to manufacture it in the industry. Since then, the Streamline has become the most popular choice among homeowners for featuring a visible entry channel of only ½” wide for an extremely narrow opening.
One side is designed to be flat for installation against a wall or retaining wall. This means homeowners get to keep their aesthetic deck and builders can safely guarantee a contemporary, flood-free pool experience for concrete and paver decks. Don’t let the slim appearance deceive you, the Streamline has a maximum flow rate of 28 gallons per minute.
DECK DRAIN-A-WAY® SYSTEM II
Need that perfect middle between 2” and Streamline? Our Deck Drain-A-Way is the perfect fit. The Drain-A-Way top is designed larger than Streamline with a 1 ¼” surface and shares a maximum flow rate of 28.9 gallons/minute. Its smooth concave top is a feature taken from our 2” for better drainage and minimal debris collection.
Concrete Decks and DECK DRAINS
Installing our deck drains with a concrete deck is simple. All decks come with anti-concrete black tape that prevents concrete from entering your new drain. When the deck drain of choice is installed and the concrete has settled, the tape can be removed right away. It’s important to note that anything black absorbs the heat from the sun quickly and becomes hotter than other colors. We highly advise removing the tape promptly after the concrete has cured so the heat from the tape does not warp the deck drain.
If your deck drains become damaged over time, Quaker Plastics has the fix! We offer replacement caps with different widths to replace cracks on non-removable drains. Our 1” Paver Overlay is perfect for renovating old, damaged decks and is easily installed on top of the old drain between the new surface paver stones. This prevents the homeowner from digging up their drain and replacing it with a new system, saving time and money.
