Category Archives: Uncategorized

Assembling 9 & 12 Inch Landscaping Basins

Catch Basin Installation

Since we get a lot of questions about catch basins, we had John show you how to assemble a 9″ and 12″ landscaping basins. He runs through all basin components, including decorative grating and debris filters. Learn your basin’s outlet sizes and placement options.  Ready to shop? Visit our online store by clicking here. Big […]

“Cathedral” Grating for NDS Mini Channel

Chester Cathedral

Cathedral Trench Drain Systems expanded its decorative offering for NDS Mini Channel with a new pattern of bronze and aluminum grating. The design, borrowed from Chester Cathedral in Chester, England, is heel-proof, subdued and stylish. It adds a solemn aesthetic to the hardscape and hints of a yearning for the innocence of old. Bronze Age […]

Finally, a Installation Guide for MEArin 100!

MEArin100 Driveway Drainage

If you’ve been looking for a MEArin 100 installation guide, you’re in luck! Trench Drain Systems partnered up with a customer last month to create an accurate install guide designed specifically for the MEArin system. Click here to see the instructions. I love MEArin 100. I worked with it for years, and I’ve found that […]

Q&A: Retrofitting Plastic Patio Drains

Drainage retrofit

Last week we had a reader email us with a patio drain question. Namely, how could he replace the worn plastic channels of his patio drain, which was separating from the concrete floor? Curiosity about the drain itself aside, I am more concerned with the installation’s integrity. As you see in the photo, he pulled […]

NDS Revamps 5 inch Pro Series

NDS Pro Series Drainage System

In 2012, NDS rolled out an improved channel for the 5 inch Pro Series. The 5 inch Pro Series is the workhorse of the Pro Series line, which ranges from 3” – 12” wide. The 5 inch Pro Series is sold in hardware stores around the country, though only in kit form. If you want to buy […]

5 Questions to Ask Before Installing Plastic Trench Drain

NDS Mini Channel with TDS Bronze Grate

This is how you choose a plastic trench drain: When I started my career with trench drain, I didn’t know the benefits of using plastic trench drains on drainage projects. Since then, I’ve seen enough projects to tell the difference between good and bad trench drain systems. From what I learned, all trench drain is […]

Decorative Plastic Trench Grates Exist!

Decorative Plastic with NDS Logo

Ever since the first line of plastic trench drains emerged on the market, homeowners and contractors alike, have welcomed the convenience of lightweight and affordable drainage systems. Easily purchased and installed, these plastic drains bring patio and in some cases driveway drainage to an accessible level. Decorative Plastic Grates The design efforts from NDS® allows […]

Made In America: Iron Age Designs

Iron Age Grates for NDS Mini Channel

Iron Age Designs is a Washington-based designer that embraces its Made in the U.S.A. identity as it sells decorative iron grates, tree grates and custom casting at prices homeowners can afford. Founded in 2005 by Mark Armstrong and Craig Diamond, industry professionals who had already worked together for years designing decorative castings for landscape projects, […]

Patio and Driveway Drainage Solutions (Part 2) – New Catch Basin Drain Grate Options

Iron Age Catch Basin Grates

Our previous blog  introduced standard grating options such as the plastic slotted grate and the painted black iron grate. The neat thing, though, is that multiple grates fit the 12″ x 12″ size profile adapters and catch basins. Three new grating options recently became available to the market, which open up the design possibilities for […]

Patio and Driveway Drainage (Part 1) – Low Profile Drain

NDS Low Profile Catch Basin with Wave Pattern Grate

Just about any place in need of a drainage point can use catch basins (or one of their many variations) to evacuate water. Homeowners can use catch basins for driveway drainage, pools, patio point drains and landscape area drains. And, the installation techniques employed will be as diverse as the application. An interesting variation of […]