Hepworth keep the water away from the door

Seepage of water under doors has always been a potential challenge but this is all the more the case following adjustments to Building Regulations which require new homes to provide disabled access.

In the winter months, keeping homes warm and dry comes more to the front of mind.

Seepage of water under doors has always been a potential challenge but this is all the more the case following adjustments to Building Regulations which require new homes to provide disabled access.

Level access methods are becoming increasingly common and while these ensure ease of entry they can also offer an access route for rainwater.

Solving the problem is a relatively simple matter at the time of construction but can also be quite straightforward on existing properties.

The three options usually adopted involve the use of a gravel soakaway, a threshold drain or linear drainage.

Simply digging a small 'trench' in front of a doorway and filling this with gravel can provide an effective means of dealing with excess water in free draining soils.

However, a neater and potentially more effective solution is often to use a threshold drain.

The version produced by Hepworth Building Products provides a neat flush-fitted unit that enables water to drain either to a soakaway or to be connected to the main drainage system.

The drain combines a neat surface grid with a purpose-designed drainage channel.

The channel incorporates a flexible strip that fits under the threshold and over the damp proof course to direct any water from the drip rebate into the channel.

The product is 1200mm long but jointing pieces allow as many sections as required to fit together to accommodate wide entrances.

In circumstances where there is likely to be a need to deal with larger amounts of water - for example where a relatively steeply sloping driveway falls down to a door - making use of linear drainage systems may provide a more appropriate option.

This type of drainage is also commonly used to drain driveways and patios.

Numerous different types are available.

That provided by Hepworth takes the form of a robust polypropylene system of channels and fittings that will not rust or deteriorate in appearance after installation.

Called HepFlow*, the channel is available in 0.5m and 1m lengths to minimise the requirement for cutting on site.

A pre-scored knockout can simply be pushed out to accommodate vertical connections, with an adapter available for horizontal connection to the drainage system.

These three options will deal with most common water ingress problems under doorways and offer neat cost-efficient solutions to what has become a growing problem not only because of regulation changes but also because of the tendency for properties to make greater use of hard landscaping.

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