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ACO & Channel Drainage
Channel drainage, often called ACO drainage after one of the leading manufacturers, is one of the most effective ways to control surface water on commercial sites, but only when it's installed correctly and maintained properly. When channels silt up, crack, or lose their fall, you end up with flooding in car parks, service yards, loading bays, bin stores, walkways, and entrances.
Rated 4.9 on Google
ICE Drainage provides ACO and channel drainage installation, repairs, and cleaning across London and the Home Counties, supporting hospitality sites, facilities management teams, and commercial property.
If you need more information about any of our drainage services, please contact a member of our team today. You can either email us at contactus@icedrainage.co.uk or call our support team at 0203 870 1067.
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By asking you a few questions either via phone or email I can immediately provide a realistic estimation of the cost.
Our aco & channel drainage treatment process
Step 1 Contact
To book a free, no-obligation survey appointment, either give us a call on 0203828 7719 or email us on contactus@icedrainage.co.uk.
A member of our friendly support team will reach out to discuss your requests and provide an estimated cost for your ACO & Channel Drainage service.
If necessary, our technicians will visit the site to review the current situation.
Step 2 Quote
Adhering to all health and safety protocols, our technicians will assess the state of your property. They will then conduct a risk assessment to avoid unforeseen issues arising during the works.
Our team will make tailored suggestions concerning the best service for your situation and address any concerns or queries. You will receive a free, comprehensive quote for your ACO & Channel Drainage service.
Step 3 Works
Our qualified technicians will arrive promptly, fully uniformed with ID badges, ready to begin the work.
The service will be completed in accordance with the survey, adhering to all health and safety rules. We aim to maintain a safe working environment for all parties at all times.
Our team will review and document the completed work, making sure you're pleased with the job. We promise to leave your property safe and clean.
Step 4 After care
Here at ICE Drainage, we go the extra mile to ensure all clients are satisfied.
Our dedicated customer service team strive to converse with every client following the ACO & Channel Drainage service to make sure all expectations have been met.
You'll also be given the opportunity to write a Trustpilot review.
Emergency Hotline
0203 870 1067
Helpline open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
When calling please have
the following ready:
- Your Name
- Company Name (if applicable)
- Site Postcode
- The problem you're having
- Email Address
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ACO & Channel Drainage Installation FAQs
The basics
Where is channel drainage typically installed?
Common locations include car parks, forecourts, driveways, and areas prone to standing water.
What is ACO or channel drainage used for?
It's a linear drainage system used to collect surface water from car parks, yards, and driveways.
Do you offer ongoing cleaning once it's installed?
Yes, we can include channel cleaning as part of a maintenance plan after installation.
Can channel drainage be connected to an existing system?
Yes, we can connect new channel drainage into your existing drainage network.
Technologies used
How do you decide what size channel to install?
Based on the expected water flow and the size of the area being drained.
On the day
How long does installation take?
It depends on the length of channel needed, from a day for smaller areas to longer for large sites.
Why choose us?
- Cater to a wide variety of drainage situations
- Nationwide coverage, available 24/7
- Cater to commercial and domestic clients
- Free survey provided prior to quotation
- Emergency response team
- Offer a bespoke service designed to suit all your needs
- All technicians hold professional health and safety qualifications
What is ACO or channel drainage?
Channel drainage is a linear drainage system that collects surface water along a run, rather than at a single point like a gully. A typical system includes:
- A linear channel, made from polymer concrete, concrete, or plastic
- A grate, such as heel-safe, galvanised, or ductile iron
- End caps and outlet connections
- A connection into surface water pipework, a catch pit, or another drainage feature
It's commonly installed where water needs to be captured across a wide area or along a threshold.
Where channel drains are commonly used
We often see channel drainage on:
- Car parks and access roads
- Service yards and loading bays
- Bin stores and washdown areas
- Walkways and pedestrian routes
- Building thresholds and entrances
- External kitchen and service areas at hospitality sites
- Courtyards and hardstanding
The benefit is better water capture and safer surfaces, especially during heavy rainfall.
Common problems with ACO or channel drainage
Channel drains tend to fail for predictable reasons:
- Silt and debris build-up blocking flow
- Blocked outlets leading to backing up and overflow
- Broken or rocking grates creating trip hazards
- Cracked channels or failed joints
- Poor installation, such as incorrect falls or inadequate bedding
- Systems that are undersized for the catchment area
These issues can cause standing water, flooding during rainfall, slips and trips, water tracking into buildings, and more reactive call-outs.
Our ACO and channel drainage services
We support commercial sites with end-to-end channel drainage work.
Channel drain cleaning and clearance
We remove silt, leaves, and debris, clear blockages and restore flow, jet connecting pipework where required, and identify why the system is silting up in the first place.
Repairs and replacements
We replace damaged grates and frames, repair cracked channels and failed joints, rebuild sections where bedding has failed, and resolve outlet restrictions and connection issues.
New channel drain installation
Where surface water capture is inadequate, we can install new channel drainage runs to protect entrances and thresholds, reduce pooling in yards and car parks, improve drainage around loading bays and bin stores, and support washdown areas and other high-runoff zones. We'll recommend suitable channel types and grating based on the load class and how the site is used.
Protecting downstream drainage
Channel drains often carry a lot of debris. If there's nowhere for it to settle, it ends up in your pipework, soakaway, or attenuation system. We often recommend catch pits at key points, silt traps upstream of soakaways or attenuation systems, and accessible inspection points for maintenance. This reduces blockages and extends the life of your surface water assets.
Planned maintenance for channel drainage
For FM teams and hospitality groups, channel drainage performs best with planned cleaning. A simple maintenance schedule can include routine channel clearing, gully and catch pit emptying, jetting where required, and reporting and recommendations after each visit. Planned maintenance reduces flooding incidents and prevents emergency disruption.
Minimising disruption on live commercial sites
Channel drains are often located in high-traffic areas. We can plan work around delivery windows and loading bay access, customer footfall and peak times, permit-to-work processes on FM-managed sites, and out-of-hours windows where required.
Why choose ICE Drainage?
- A commercial-first approach for hospitality and FM
- Coverage across London and the Home Counties
- Practical, maintainable solutions, not just quick fixes
- Clear reporting and sensible recommendations
- Credentials including Safe Contractor, SSSTS, and Constructionline Gold
ICE Drainage is a specialist service expansion of ICE Cleaning, a leading sewage cleaning company in the UK.
Book ACO and channel drainage works
If you need ACO drain cleaning, channel drainage repairs, or new channel drain installation, ICE Drainage can help.
Contact ICE Drainage 0203 870 1067 today to discuss your site.