Frequently Asked Questions

Refine our faqs to a category:

FAQ Category
  • Jonite (52)
  • General Drainage FAQ (39)
  • SABdrain FAQ (36)
  • Hydropro (2)

White vinegar is effective for helping remove or reduce tea staining from stainless steel.

Learn more about the process here.

Absolutely. Jonite pool grates are excellent for pool decks because not only do they help drain water and prevent dirty water from entering the pool from maintenance, they also create an aesthetical feature with its appealing designs.

This will vary based on slopes, rainfall, weather patterns and location of the drain.

Use our partners tool here to design your system, or contact us for assistance.

Yes, this is possible. However, the open area and design of the grate may be limited, similar to a customised trench grate.

The key distinction between 304 and 316 stainless steel lies in their chemical composition, which influences their corrosion resistance and suitability for specific environments. Both materials offer a sleek, polished finish. However, 316 grates may maintain their appearance better over time in corrosive environments, reducing the need for frequent maintenance.

More information on the difference between 304 and 316 here.

The matte finish of Jonite trench grating means it is naturally non-slip. Jonite has conducted Pendulum and Ramp tests on all trench grate covers to make sure they meet industry standards for slip resistance. With a class V on the Pendulum test and an R10 on the Ramp test, Jonite drainage grates can handle most locations and applications.

When compared to metal drain channels, polypropylene offers several advantages. Metal channels are susceptible to corrosion, which can compromise their structural integrity over time. Polypropylene, on the other hand, is corrosion-resistant and does not require regular maintenance.

Additionally, polypropylene trench drain channels are highly resistant to chemicals, making them suitable for environments where exposure to harsh substances is common. This chemical resistance ensures the longevity of the drainage system and reduces the need for frequent replacements.

Concrete drain channels, while durable, can be heavy and challenging to install. Especially in hard to reach areas. Polypropylene trench drain channels are lightweight, making them easier to handle and reducing the risk of accidents during installation.

Discover the advantage here

Sump covers are omnipresent in driveways and similar to its trench grate counterparts, Jonite sump covers can go up to D400 (400KN) Load Class. Jonite high-performance standard models come in a wide range of sizes.

The comparison reveals many advantages. Regular concrete blocks are commonly found in raw concrete colors, and colored variations often appear largely synthetic. In stark contrast, Jonite Breeze Blocks are significantly more durable, owing to their exceptionally low water absorption capacity and self-cleaning capabilities,  making them far more durable than traditional concrete breeze blocks. With high compressive and tensile strength, Jonite Breeze Blocks are substantially stronger than concrete blocks, expanding their potential applications. 

Yes, the aperture of 601 grate is 8mm.

Yes, it is extremely important to prevent bowing when concreting. It is impossible to install a grate if the channel has bowed after concrete has set.

A great tip is to use a temporary grate (like timber) to avoid concrete spill on the grates if possible. Ensure there is no bolts/lockdown that needs to be secured before concreting)

Trench drains are the most common type of driveway drainage solution. These are long channels that run across the width of the driveway. Water flows into the drain, which can empty into additional drainage elements around your home.

SABdrain Australasia has a wide range of stormwater drainage solutions and architectural products such as breeze blocks. We are proud to offer niche or custom drainage solutions for projects, as well as other solutions such as cable troughs.

To find out more, click here

Our channels range from 100mm x 50mm – 500mm x 500mm

The cost of a drainage system depends on the materials used, and the size. A system with a wide stainless steel grate will be more expensive than the same size with a polypropylene system. Reducing the width of your grate will help reduce costs.

SABdrain channels have a greater flow rate (up to 18% faster), therefore reducing the size has less impact on efficiency.

Tree grates are metal, stone, or composite structures installed around the base of trees in urban environments. They serve multiple purposes, primarily protecting the tree’s root system from foot traffic, vehicles, and other potential damage while allowing water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots. Tree grates also help to level the ground around trees, preventing trip hazards and ensuring smooth pedestrian movement.

Learn more about tree grates here

Jonite is based in Singapore. SABdrain stocks a limited range. Contact us to find out more.

Absolutely, Jonite is capable of tailoring a breeze block to match your unique open area needs. In contrast to other Jonite products, breeze blocks are less reliant on load requirements, giving us increased flexibility in open area customization.

Yes, SABdrain drainage systems are an alternative supplier for drainage solutions. SABdrain utilises polypropylene channels over polymer. Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that offers numerous benefits, including high chemical resistance, durability, and flexibility. These qualities make it an ideal choice for drain channel applications in various industries, such as food processing, automotive, and pharmaceutical.

One of the key advantages of polypropylene trench drain channels is their ability to withstand harsh chemicals commonly found in industrial environments. This resistance to corrosion ensures a longer lifespan for the drainage system, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. Additionally, polypropylene channels are lightweight and easy to handle during installation, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.

Learn the SABdrain advantage here

Once polypropylene channels are encased in concrete, they are rigid. Warping or bending is due to incorrect installation, such as concreting with no grate installed.

Yes, this is possible.

Jonite tree grates are slip resistant. Jonite has conducted Pendulum and Ramp tests on their products to make sure they meet industry standards for slip resistance. With a class V on the Pendulum test and an R10 on the Ramp test, Jonite can handle most locations and applications.

It may be tempting, however labor costs can quickly increase with the time spent forming up the channel. Many grates are also designed to be locked into channels.

This depends on a lot of factors such as desired aesthetic, what load class you need & where is it being installed. Check how much water the area will receive, has it got a slope? Is it near your pool? Do you live near saltwater?

Use our handy product finder or contact us.

Due to the unique properties of the material, the heat absorption is better than most materials like metal and wood. Low water absorption and perforations on the benches also helps with quicker drying after the rain.

The load rating of a grate is a specification of the amount of weight the grate can withstand.

Residential- Will withstand 1.5 ton wheel loading. Footpaths & driveways.

Class A – 330kg nominal wheel loading. Pedestrians, cyclists.

Class B – 2,670kg nominal wheel loading. Driveways (cars & light commercial vehicles)

Class C – 5,000kg nominal wheel loading. Areas with slow moving traffic (shopping centres). Heavy commercial vehicles.

Class D – 8,000kg nominal wheel loading. Highways & roads, lightly loaded forklift, warehouse

Class E – 13,700kg nominal wheel loading. Commercial heavy wheeled traffic, hard wheeled forklifts, construction/military/mining vehicles

Class F – 20,000 nominal wheel loading. Docks, wharves, airport taxiways

Class G – 30,000 nominal wheel loading. Extra heavy duty, airport runways, docks

View our guide to load class classifications here.

Not all tree species need this feature, but if you do, Jonite has selected models like their ADA Collection, which offers up to 4 different inner diameters (390/460/530/600mm). Should you need even more expandability, some models like the Square Slots can expand even beyond that. Contact us for better advice on this.

Wharves and docks provide a challenging environment due to extreme dynamic forces and corrosive surroundings. Installation must be carefully planned to minimize interruptions to workflow.

SABdrain has a range of drainage solutions suitable to be used in port and wharf environments. Discover more here.

Remove any large pieces of debris. Drainage channels can be cleaned with a broom or shovel. Persistent dirt can be cleaned with a high pressure cleaner (jet pressure up to 120 bar), running the cleaning water along the entire length of channel. Ensure all sediment within the channel is loosened and rinsed down to the plumbing/sump pit. The discharge points must be cleaned & ensure pipework is draining effectively. 

More information here.

The SABdrain stepped fall cap is designed to slip into the precut slots in the drainage channel to aid in linking channels of different sizes. In this way you can obtain a progressive increase of the flow rate in the section of channel.

Stepped Fall Cap 2

The SABdrain system is up to 40% quicker to install than standard polymer channels. With an installation time of 10M per hour, compared to just 6M per hour. CPB Contractors used just 60% of their allocated installation time when installing SABdrain on Northern Road Stage 5.

Yes. Curve grates are available in any radius & design through Jonite customisation service. All radius will also be consolidated from a full-scale CAD drawing to help minimise cost.

High compressive load strength allows for sturdy horizontal installation for minimal pedestrian use. As for vertical installation, load-bearing requirements are usually not needed, but Jonite ventilation grates are rated for at least 5KN.

Different types of surface drainage solutions includes in-line pits, open swales or grated trench drainage. Cost comparisons have shown modular trench drains to have lower total installed costs when labour, excavation, pipework, grading etc., are taken into account. Furthermore, heavier materials such as polymer concrete will drive up labour and transport costs.

Discover the advantages of using polypropylene instead of polymer.

Yes, SABdrain drainage systems are an alternative supplier for drainage solutions. SABdrain utilises polypropylene channels over polymer. Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that offers numerous benefits, including high chemical resistance, durability, and flexibility. These qualities make it an ideal choice for drain channel applications in various industries, such as food processing, automotive, and pharmaceutical.

One of the key advantages of polypropylene trench drain channels is their ability to withstand harsh chemicals commonly found in industrial environments. This resistance to corrosion ensures a longer lifespan for the drainage system, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. Additionally, polypropylene channels are lightweight and easy to handle during installation, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.

Jonite tree grates, like all Jonite products, are made of a proprietary stone composite material with unique properties. When correctly installed, the material ages very similarly to natural stone but excellent UV and weather resistance. However, unlike cast iron, the material does not rust with time and is outstanding for many applications.

This is something commonly believed in the drainage industry, and it’s a myth. Polypropylene channels bring the strength, chemical resistance and durability that commercial environments actually demand. Lightweight, easy to install, and built to last – they outperform traditional polymer channels in real-world conditions.

Jonite is on a mission to lead the way towards a greener future. This is why everything Jonite does starts with sustainability in mind. All Jonite products are proudly made of at least 30% recycled materials. Unused products don’t go in the trash. Steel and stone that meet their strict requirements are recycled so they can be used again as raw materials.

Learn more here.

Trench drain systems utilise a simple angled slope on both sides of a linear trench to move runoff into a channel. Liquids are then discharged at the end of the drainage channel into an underground pipe system or culvert. Trench drains generally require a shallower excavation than in-line pits with extensive underground piping.

Cast-in-situ systems are another type of trench drain design. This method uses extensive formwork and labour required. A form is built and concrete is poured around it to form the trench. Forming channels onsite drives project costs up dramatically due to labour time.

Jonite sump covers are slip resistant. We have conducted Pendulum and Ramp tests on our products to make sure they meet industry standards for slip resistance. With a class V on the Pendulum test and an R10 on the Ramp test, Jonite can handle most locations and applications.

Similar to the trench grate, the customisation process is the same.

Certainly! Jonite Breeze Blocks aren’t merely appropriate for exterior use, but they thrive under these conditions. Their special material makeup allows them to resist even the most severe weather and temperature conditions. They also feature self cleaning properties, making them significantly more durable than traditional concrete breeze blocks.

Some of our models are ADA compliant. Should you prefer a particular design, Jonite can modify and customize the grates to be ADA compliant.

The nominal wheel loading refers to the weight of 1 wheel of the vehicle.

For example, if you estimate the heaviest vehicle that will be driving over the drain weighs 2215kg. The nominal wheel loading is 553.7 kg (2215 ÷ 4 = 553.75). Therefore you will require a Class B rated grate (Class B nominal wheel loading is 2670kg).

Yes, if you provide your required open area Jonite can customise the design based on those requirements. They can also work with several parameters together like open area, design and size, for example.

There are a number of drainage solutions for residential areas such as driveways, gardens, balconies, pool areas, patios and more. Materials, sizing and grates will vary project to project.

For more information, click here.

No

SABdrain has a range of trench drains suitable for all areas of an airport, from pedestrian areas to runways. Innovative systems that can meet the extreme demand of airports. Discover more about airport drainage here.

Most SABdrain systems are sold in 1M lengths to be joined together. They are easily cut, allowing installers to achieve exactly how many metres they need.

Sizes above 200mm x 300mm are sold in 500mm pieces

Remove any large pieces of debris. Drainage channels can be cleaned with a broom or shovel. Persistent dirt can be cleaned with a high pressure cleaner (jet pressure up to 120 bar), running the cleaning water along the entire length of channel. Ensure all sediment within the channel is loosened and rinsed down to the plumbing/sump pit. The discharge points must be cleaned & ensure pipework is draining effectively. 

More information here.