Should you use POLYCAST® or Poured-in-Place Concrete for your next project? Features of both are compared on a point-by-point basis below.
POLYCAST® Presloped Trench Drain Systems are made of polymer concrete, a high-strength, closed cell material. As a result, POLYCAST® drains offer a high degree of chemical resistance, low water absorption (less than 1%) and more than three times the strength of ordinary Portland Cement Concrete. Rapid drainage, durability and resistance to freeze/thaw cycles make POLYCAST® ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.	The precast system eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming onsite forming work, reducing labor cost and downtime. For new construction or retrofit in both industrial and commercial applications, POLYCAST® presloped trench drain systems are designed to install quickly and easily and perform for years with minimal maintenance.
Compare ! POLYCAST ® Precast Polymer Concrete POURED-IN-PLACE Concrete Cost Lower installed cost. The complete POLYCAST® systems are cost effective to install. Less than conventional methods. Higher labor cost. The 12" iron grates alone cost about $45 per lineal foot. Installation Installation rates of 60'-90' per hour are easily attainable with a 2-person crew. Presloped and precast drains need minimal supervision. Time-consuming on-site forming work requires more supervision. Hand-forming and stripping required. Total labor installation rate is typically 5'-10' per hour, which results in a much higher labor cost. Interior Drain Surface Smooth interior finish for complete drainage - comparable to PVC pipe. With hand-formed POURED-IN-PLACE, honeycombs and birdbaths often form in the bottom, allowing for standing water. Rough surface finish lowers rate flow. Water Absorption Less than 1% per ASTM D-570 for high freeze/thaw resistance. Absorbs moisture - up to 9% per ASTM C-476. Susceptible to environmentally induced spalling. Slope Presloped POLYCAST® surface drains in both 24" and 48" components are extremely versatile. The patented POLYCAST® alignment chair makes it easy to adjust drains during installation for maximum drainage efficiency. Difficult to get a uniform slope. Depends upon the experience of the installers. Flow Capacity Rapid drainage - The POLYCAST® system can give up to 900 GPM per outlet joint. The drain bottom is shaped to increase velocity during low flow conditions and helps self-cleaning. Slower drianage - 8"-10" wide trenches required for POURED-IN-PLACE (to get the forms inside and still have room to trowel the bottom) result in a shallower flow. Sanitary Closed cell structure of polymers and negligible water absorption prevents collection of bacteria and stops gasoline and other pollutants from getting into the soil. Debris and standing water from slow drainage create unsanitary conditions. Contaminates percolate into the soil. Chemical Resistance Highly chemical resistant. Not eroded by cleaning agents in washdown water in food processing plants. Tested to ASTM D-543. Attacked by mild acids, caustics and saltwater. Maintenance POLYCAST® distribution in North America provides ready access to replacement parts. Concrete patching or replacement is difficult and time-consuming. Grates often have to be ground and fabricated to fit. THE CHOICE!   POLYCAST® PRESLOPED SURFACE DRAIN SYSTEM !