Road & Drainage Gullies

Road & Drainage Gullies Ireland

Road and drainage gullies collect surface water and divert it into the drainage network, preventing pooling and flooding. Mactar supplies and installs the full range across Ireland round trapped gullies (with a water seal to stop odours), untrapped square gullies, silt boxes and driveway gullies all bedded and surrounded in mass concrete to resist deformation.

Gully supply and installation sits alongside Mactar's wider civils and surfacing work, so drainage, ironwork and the final surface can be delivered by one contractor.

Concrete road gully with grating being installed and bedded in mass concrete on an Irish carriageway
Concrete road gully with grating being installed and bedded in mass concrete on an Irish carriageway
Round trapped gully, untrapped square gully and silt box supplied
Round trapped gully, untrapped square gully and silt box supplied

What a Gully Does

A gully is the point where surface water leaves the ground and enters the drainage system. Drainage gullies collect run-off from roofs, gutters, driveways and paved areas and carry it into the drainage network and on to the municipal stormwater system, keeping water away from the property. In Ireland, drainage gullies are effectively mandatory for new builds and renovations under building and drainage standards. Road gullies are a specific type installed along carriageways and kerb lines to capture road run-off before it can pool or erode the surface.

Road Gullies vs Drainage Gullies

The two work the same way; the difference is scale and setting. Domestic and site drainage gullies handle run-off from driveways, patios and roofs. Road gullies are larger units for carriageways the outlets are 150mm in diameter rather than the domestic 100mm, and a single road gully drains up to around 250m² of carriageway. Both come in a range of sizes and depths.

Drainage Gully (Domestic/Site) Road Gully (Carriageway)
Typical use Driveways, patios, roofs, yards Roads, kerb lines, car parks
Outlet Commonly 100mm 150mm diameter
Catchment Local area / single point Up to ~250m² of carriageway
Larger units Standard pot sizes Up to 450mm units (craned in)

Comprehensive Water Management Solutions with Road Gullies Ireland

Road gullies are a specific type of drainage gully designed to be installed along roadways to collect rainwater and surface runoff from the road surface. They are an essential component of urban drainage systems, helping to prevent water accumulation and potential damage to the road structure. Road gullies are strategically placed along the curbs or edges of roads to capture water before it can cause pooling or erosion. They are connected to underground drainage pipes that carry the collected water to larger stormwater management systems or natural water bodies

Revolutionary Concrete Road Gullies Ireland

Experience enhanced functionality with our round trapped gullies, which employ a water seal to eliminate odors. Alternatively, use untrapped square gullies and silt boxes to efficiently collect surface water. Silt Boxes arrive with one pre-tapped hole, with the option to tap out the remaining three as needed.

Elevating Your Water Management

Choose from our comprehensive range of Concrete Channels and Road Gullies to optimize your site’s wastewater management. From efficient drainage to odor elimination, our solutions are tailored to meet your diverse needs.

The road gullies are larger, but they work the same. The outlets are 150mm in diameter, not 100mm. They come in different sizes and depths. Road gullies are used in carriageways to drain a maximum of 250m2.

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How We Maintain Quality and Safety

Road gullies were usually large clayware items until about 30 years ago. However, their fragility was a constant problem. Pre-cast concrete units were gradually introduced, which are more durable but also heavier. Excavators are required to crane the larger 450mm units into place. They weigh too much for a single worker to lift. If the gully wasn’t positioned and leveled correctly the first time around, it was difficult to make adjustments. This involved craning out the unit, making the necessary adjustments to the bed concrete, and then craning back the unit into place. In recent years, heavy, cumbersome clayware and PCC units have been replaced with lightweight plastic units that do not provide the strength or resistance to deformation usually provided by these units. Instead, they act as a lining mold for in situ concrete casting. After the pipework has been completed and the unit is in place, the concrete surround is poured and vibrated/compacted for the required strength to resist deformation. A single person can install and handle these units with relative ease. This saves both time and money. Lightweight plastic gully liner. It is important to note that each gully requires a grating which is usually placed on top of regulating masonry or cover slabs. All road gullies must be surrounded and bedded with mass concrete, including the pre-cast concrete ones.

Concrete road gully under construction Some local authorities insist that the regulating wall be built directly on top of the concrete gully/surround.

The grating must be installed before the final surfacing/paving.

To accommodate smaller gratings on the larger pots with a diameter of 450mm, it is common for the brickwork to be corbelled inwards. The corbelled course should not exceed the preceding course in height by more than 50mm.

Your Queries, Our Expertise

Got questions about,  Sealing For Manholes, Asphalt Contractors ? Our team of experts is at your service. Reach out with your queries, and rest assured, we have the perfect solution waiting for you.

A Spectrum of Services

Mactar’s commitment goes beyond drainage gullies. Explore our wide array of services, encompassing Civil EngineeringRoad ConstructionRoutine Maintenance, Mastic Ironwork, tramacdam, CarPark Resurfacing and even Hot Box Hire.

Drainage Gullies Ireland

Essential to any drainage system, drainage gullies play a pivotal role in averting water pooling and property flooding. In Ireland, they’re mandatory for new builds and renovations, adhering to governmental standards. These gullies collect and divert water, drawn from diverse sources like roofs, gutters, and driveways, into a drainage network. The water then finds its way to the municipal stormwater system, steering clear of your property.

Planning

Options abound for drainage gullies, from classic concrete and brick to modern plastics and composites. Material choice impacts their endurance and lifespan, demanding a match to your project’s needs. Installation necessitates meticulous planning and professional execution to ensure proper functioning and adherence to regulations.

Maintenance is key to their longevity and performance. Regular cleaning and inspection, essential practices, eliminate debris and uncover wear and tear. Design considerations are also paramount when selecting a drainage gully system, as the design directly influences efficiency and performance. Even pre-existing structures can embrace drainage gullies, an ideal solution for older buildings lacking proper drainage.

In conclusion, drainage gullies stand sentinel against water intrusion, preventing property inundation. Choose a suitable system for your project, entrusting professional installation and maintenance. 

Gully Types We Supply

  • Round Trapped Gullies A built-in water seal (trap) blocks drain odours from rising back up. The default where smell is a concern.
  • Untrapped Square Gullies Efficient surface-water collection where a trap is not required.
  • Silt Boxes Capture grit and silt before it enters the pipe run; supplied with one pre-tapped hole and the option to tap out the remaining three on site.
  • Concrete Channels & Driveway Gullies Linear channel drainage and driveway gullies for domestic and commercial entrances.
Drainage gully installation with concrete surround on an Irish road
Drainage gully installation with concrete surround on an Irish road

How Mactar Installs Gullies - Quality & Safety

Modern installation has moved away from heavy clayware and pre-cast concrete units, which were fragile or so heavy that 450mm units needed an excavator to crane them into place and were hard to adjust once set. Today Mactar uses lightweight plastic gully liners that act as a mould for in-situ concrete: once the pipework is complete and the liner is positioned, the concrete surround is poured and vibrated/compacted to the strength needed to resist deformation. One operative can handle and set the liner, which saves time, cost and every gully, including pre-cast concrete ones, is surrounded and bedded in mass concrete.

Getting the detail right: Each gully needs a grating, usually set on regulating masonry or cover slabs and bedded on the concrete surround. Some local authorities require the regulating wall to be built directly on top of the gully surround. Gratings are installed before the final surfacing or paving. Where a smaller grating meets a larger 450mm pot, the brickwork is corbelled inwards no corbelled course rising more than 50mm above the one below.

Where Gullies Fit in Your Project

Gully supply and installation sits alongside Mactar's wider civils and surfacing work - civil engineering, road construction, mastic ironworks, tarmacadam, driveway paving and car park resurfacing so drainage, ironwork and the final surface can be delivered by one contractor. For ongoing cleaning and emptying, see our gully cleaning service; for choosing the right unit, see the gully types and specification guide.

Gully FAQs

  • What makes Concrete Road Gullies in Ireland revolutionary, and how do they enhance functionality?
    Concrete Road Gullies in Ireland offer enhanced functionality with features such as round trapped gullies employing a water seal to eliminate odors. Additionally, untrapped square gullies and silt boxes efficiently collect surface water. The range includes options like pre-tapped holes in silt boxes, providing flexibility in installation.
  • What are the key considerations for the construction and installation of road gullies, including grating placement and final surfacing?
    Road gullies, irrespective of type, require careful construction and installation. Gratings must be installed on regulating masonry or cover slabs, surrounded and bedded with mass concrete. Some local authorities may require the regulating wall directly on top of the gully. The grating installation precedes final surfacing, and for larger pots, brickwork may be corbelled inwards to accommodate smaller gratings.
  • What distinguishes the newer lightweight plastic gully liners from traditional clayware and pre-cast concrete units?
    Lightweight plastic gully liners, a recent innovation, replace heavy clayware and pre-cast concrete units. These liners serve as molds for in situ concrete casting, allowing for easier installation by a single person. Unlike their predecessors, they offer time and cost savings during installation while providing sufficient strength to resist deformation.
  • What is the primary purpose of road gullies in the context of urban drainage systems?
    Road gullies serve as crucial components of urban drainage systems, specifically designed to collect rainwater and surface runoff from road surfaces. Their strategic placement along curbs or road edges helps prevent water accumulation, protecting the road structure from potential damage caused by pooling or erosion.
  • What is the difference between a road gully and a drainage gully?
    They work the same way — collecting surface water into the drainage network. Road gullies are larger units for carriageways, with 150mm outlets and catchments up to about 250m², while domestic drainage gullies typically have 100mm outlets and serve driveways, patios and roofs.
  • What is a trapped gully?
    A trapped gully has a built-in water seal that stops drain odours rising back to the surface. Round trapped gullies are the usual choice where smell could be an issue; untrapped square gullies are used where a trap is not needed.
  • Are drainage gullies required for a new build in Ireland?
    Yes — drainage gullies are effectively mandatory for new builds and renovations in Ireland to manage surface water in line with building and drainage standards. Mactar can advise on the right layout and specification for your site.
  • What is a silt box for?
    A silt box traps grit and silt before it enters the pipe run, reducing blockages downstream. Mactar's silt boxes come with one pre-tapped hole and the option to tap out the other three on site to suit the pipe layout.

Book a Gully Site Assessment

Concrete road gullies, drainage gullies & silt boxes supplied and installed across Ireland. Trapped, untrapped & driveway gullies to spec. Six qualified crews covering Dublin, Leinster and nationwide. Free quote.

083 802 7031  |  info@mactar.ie