Self is a family of products designed to be used around the house or other light duty areas for storm water management. It includes several channel drain product lines, catch basins, grass reinforcing grids and an entrance foot scrapper.

ACO is a world leader in manufacturing drainage products. All Self products, although designed and manufactured for lighter duty applications, incorporate much of ACO’s expertise for long life span. Besides, Self offers the widest variety of light duty channel drains in the market, in different materials and styles, to closely match any application needs.

Yes, if they are placed in an area where light vehicles drive over. Minimum concrete surround is 4” underneath and on the sides. If interlocking stones are used for pavement, the first rows of pavers on the side of the channel need to be set in the concrete below so they won’t move when vehicles are passing over.

No, if a plastic channel system is used with the ends mechanically connected and used in a pedestrian only application. In this case only, the drain can be set on a well compacted gravel bed.

Yes, all Self channels can be driven over with a few limitations as follows:

- Any Hexaline product should not be used at the base of a steep ramp with vehicular traffic.

- The vehicular traffic needs to be made exclusively of light vehicles like personal cars or SUVs and pick-up trucks.

- The frequency of vehicle passing should be low – 1 – 2 passes a day. For this reason Self products cannot be used in any commercial parking, even if such parking is used only by light vehicles.

Yes, in many instances Self products can be used in commercial applications. Any channel drain system can be used as long as it complies with the requirements of number 4 above. DrainMat can be used at the entrance of any commercial building. GrassGrid can sustain infrequent fire truck loading.

Storm water is one of the most damaging factors against any type of construction, including homes. Some of the possible consequences of storm water action are:

- It can soften the soil around the house foundations making settlements possible with potentially disastrous effects on the house’ structure.

- Contribute to rising underground water levels and infiltration into the basement can lead to water damage and formation of mold and fungal infection.

- Water presence around the foundation walls in the winter time can produce various damages to a house structure through expansion by freezing

- Uncontrolled water flowing at high speed can lead to erosion and damage to the property; it can also deposit dirt in unwanted locations creating the need of constant maintenance

- Water ponding on the property may create an inconvenience of use; it can also kill plants on the property

Both materials are designed to last a long time; all plastic parts have UV inhibitors for a long life span. However, generally polymer concrete will last longer than plastic as it is a material insensitive to almost anything that can affect it in its intended applications. On the other hand, plastic products are easier to install and, for this reason, maybe preferable for the enthusiastic DIY-er.

Most Self products are manufactured in the USA and Germany.

Some Self products are available online and all products are available through an extensive distributor network – check the website or call ACO for a supplier near you.

Check the literature for the particular product you are intending to use as most will show step by step installation directions. If you have further questions please call your supplier or ACO for help.

With a catch basin placed in front of your garage door, the driveway surface needs to be funnel shaped towards that catch basin for the water to drain. This is more difficult to do and aesthetically not the best. Heave frost will affect catch basin much faster that channel drains due to their limited size.

On the other hand, a channel drain will allow a perfectly flat driveway sloped towards a line in front of the garage, where the drain is located. Easier, prettier, more efficient and, if installed properly will last longer.

For most driveways, a 4” clear inside width trench drain will have enough capacity to collect the water from all storm events. If the collection area on your driveway is larger than 1000sqft use a larger drain – DL150, a 6” inside width trench drain is one option. If collection area is much larger than that, give us a call.

It depends – if you gravel driveway is very stable, yes. If not, your trench drain will keep filling up with gravel. If no other solution is available, a trench drain can be used, but will require constant maintenance with removing the gravel from the channel. Also, in this case, the concrete surround needs to be brought up to the surface to protect the channel edges – if the gravel is washed away by stormwater, the concrete surround edges may remain exposed creating a safety and trip hazard.

To connect a pipe to the plastic base one can use a plastic flange that can be glued and crewed to the plastic base or only glued to the polymer concrete flange. The drain pipe can be connected to this flange.

Heave frost can happen when a few conditions are met. The one we may be able to control is the presence of water around our catch basin. To minimize the chances of heave frost ensure that enough draining material (gravel, crushed stone) is placed around your catch basin. If you have knowledge that in the installation area there is an impervious clay layer in the ground you may need to take additional measure – ensuring that the water that percolates into the ground can be drained. Otherwise heave frost will most likely happen.