What type of drain is placed outside a basement entryway or paved driveway?

What type of drain is placed outside a basement entryway or paved driveway?

• A. Floor Drain
• B. Gutter Drain
• C. Area Drain
• D. Yard Drain

Answer: (C)

Surface water from outdoor paved areas needs to be collected at the surface so it doesn’t pond near foundations or entry doors. An area drain is built for this purpose: a grate set flush with the surface in outdoor spaces like driveways or right outside a basement entry, connected to a storm or drainage line to carry water away quickly. It intercepts runoff across the whole area and prevents water from seeping into the entryway. Interior floor drains do the same job inside buildings but are tied to the sanitary system and must be below grade with traps, so they’re not used outdoors. Gutter drains handle roof runoff from downspouts, not surface water from ground-level surfaces. Yard drains are meant for general yard drainage and may not be placed where concentrated surface water from a driveway or doorway needs immediate interception. So, for a drain placed outside a basement entryway or paved driveway, the appropriate choice is an area drain.

Surface water from outdoor paved areas needs to be collected at the surface so it doesn’t pond near foundations or entry doors. An area drain is built for this purpose: a grate set flush with the surface in outdoor spaces like driveways or right outside a basement entry, connected to a storm or drainage line to carry water away quickly. It intercepts runoff across the whole area and prevents water from seeping into the entryway.

Interior floor drains do the same job inside buildings but are tied to the sanitary system and must be below grade with traps, so they’re not used outdoors. Gutter drains handle roof runoff from downspouts, not surface water from ground-level surfaces. Yard drains are meant for general yard drainage and may not be placed where concentrated surface water from a driveway or doorway needs immediate interception.

So, for a drain placed outside a basement entryway or paved driveway, the appropriate choice is an area drain.