Rainwater & Drainage Feature 2026

Pipelife: Leading the way in Ireland

With over half a century of experience, Pipelife is one of Ireland’s leading manufacturers and providers of plastic piping systems.

They specialise in the extrusion of polyethylene (PE) pipes and offer industry-leading products for the heating and plumbing, water pressure, electricity, cable ducting, gas and agricultural sectors. In 2025, Pipelife expanded its product portfolio and market footprint through the acquisition of MFP. This strategic move was an excellent fit for Pipelife Ireland’s extensive catalogue, enabling them to strengthen their offering in roofing, rainwater, and exterior cladding systems. As a result, they have significantly increased their sales presence across Ireland, the UK, and Mainland Europe, reinforcing their position as a leading solutions provider in the building industry.

Offering the systems you need
With its extensive selection of rainwater systems, Pipelife is also a household name for premium PVC-U roofing products for new construction and home renovation projects. Thanks to Pipelife’s reputation for high-quality finished products, technical excellence and competitive pricing, the company has become one of the leading suppliers of PVC-U plastic building products.

Their selection of fascia boards is used to cover existing timber in new construction projects, complete replacements, and renovations. their PVC-UE Cladding Systems can be installed vertically, horizontally, or diagonally over brick, block, masonry, and timber-framed walling to provide a stylish and protective external facing for structures.

uPVC fascia, soffit, window boards, external cladding, and gutter systems are just a few of the many products Pipelife provide. Their materials come in a broad range of profiles and colours to fit any construction project and provide homes, businesses, and industrial structures with character and unique identity.

They also boast an extensive range of rainwater systems – Xtraflo, Niagara, Hi-Cap, Half Round, Square and MiniFlo – with a wide choice of traditional and modern profile designs, as well as a range of colours to suit all tastes and applications.

Some examples of these are:

  • Hi-Cap, a semi-elliptical profile with a high capacity suitable for large roof areas.
  • Niagara Ogee, a traditional Ogee-style profile – probably one of the highest capacity domestic PVC – U Rainwater System on the market.
  • XtraFlo, a 170mm semi-elliptical System, for large Commercial/Industrial buildings, which links to a 110mm downpipe system.

The Pipelife Roofline product line is rounded off with a wide variety of rigid PVC-UE construction profiles and co-extruded cellular foam.

Looking to the future
An initial capital investment of €30 million is now well underway to expand and upgrade their production facility at Little Island, Cork. Once completed, it will rank among the most modern facilities within the Pipelife Group. By the end of 2026, 35 state-of-the-art extrusion lines equipped with the latest automation technology will be operational, delivering an annual production capacity of over 45,000 tons.

This unprecedented investment in machinery, equipment, staff, and services sets a new benchmark for the industry in Ireland and positions their operations as a world-class manufacturing hub for years to come. It also reinforces Pipelife’s long-term commitment to the Irish market, ensuring that their size, modernity, and extensive product range continue to make us a highly desirable supply chain partner for leading builders, installers, and merchant groups nationwide.

Contact us
If you would like more information from a member of their team, please call +353 (0) 21 451 0600, 021 488 4700 or email them at ireland@pipelife.com. You can discover the full product range at www.pipelife.ie and www.pipelifeeco.ie.

Wavin rainwater systems help Irish merchants keep projects moving

Spring is around the corner, and with it comes the risk of heavier, prolonged rainfall meaning both contractors and homeowners want dependable guttering that’s quick to specify and easy to install.

Wavin’s guttering includes hydrodynamic running outlets that can handle up to 30% more rainwater than other similarly sized systems, ideal for managing higher flows without overcomplicating the design.

The range also uses wide, retained seals designed to deliver a secure, watertight fit, while allowing flexibility for thermal movement, a practical reassurance for customers given Ireland’s variable conditions.

Wavin fittings feature concealed sockets to hide rough cut downpipe ends for a cleaner finish, and the ‘Flexiclip’ seal jointing mechanism is designed to make it easier to connect gutter units to fittings using an expansion line and stopper for repeatable installation.

Wavin offers a portfolio of six rainwater gutter profiles suited to a wide mix of customers, from one-off self-builds and retrofits to larger residential schemes and commercial projects:

High Capacity Domestic Systems
StormLine – an ogee profile with a high front edge to manage intense flows; serves roof areas up to 254 m² with one downpipe; compatible with hidden hanging brackets and connects directly to Wavin square or round downpipe

DeepLine – a semi-elliptical system, serving roof areas up to 299 m² with one downpipe; available in Anthracite Grey for contemporary builds.

Standard Capacity Domestic Systems
SquareLine – a square-profiled system for domestic applications serving roof areas up to 178 m² with one down pipe.

RoundLine – a half-round profile which serves roof areas up to 163 m².

Industrial and Commercial Profiles
– SuperLine and RoofLine – these profiles are suited to industrial and commercial use offering high volume removal rate that can serve roof areas up to a maximum of 317 m2 with one downpipe.

Declan Conlon, Sales Director at Wavin Ireland, said: ‘Wavin’s gutter range offers solutions for many building types and capacity requirements. Ease of installation, aesthetic features and product resilience means merchants can offer an excellent solution to customers.’

To find out more about Wavin’s rainwater guttering range, visit www.wavin.com/ie.

Wavin announces further additions to new Tegra 600 Inspection Chamber range

Wavin Ireland recently launched an enhanced version of its Tegra 600 Inspection Chamber Range for gravity sewer systems, expanding its foul water drainage portfolio for the Irish market.

Built to last, with a lifespan of up to 100 years. The new Tegra 600 range is independently tested and certified to EN13598-2, meets Irish Building Regulations part H and is Uisce Éireann approved for waste water networks.

All the main chamber bases have now switched over to the new range which includes seven flow profiles and 27 base variants for maximum installation flexibility, including a new 180° base option with 110mm sockets. Designed for flexibility on site, the product is compatible with Wavin sewer smoothwall pipes in 110mm, 160mm, 200mm, 250mm, 315mm and in addition, in response to demand, Wavin will add a 160mm 45° cross base to the range.

With bases manufactured from up to 76% recycled polypropylene, the Tegra 600 supports sustainability targets without compromising strength or performance. Declan Conlon, Sales Director, Wavin Ireland, said: “The improved Tegra 600 gives merchants a market leading, standards led solution for their customers. With a wider portfolio and features including increased joint movement and a reinforced base, installers can expect an easier, faster and more reliable solution.”

To talk to Wavin about the Tegra 600 range, visit stand B15 at The Hardware Show or visit www.wavin.com/ie for more information.

Brett Martin achieves certification for 250mm SN8 Pipe

Brett Martin is delighted to announce that their 250mm SN8 Pipe is now certified to European Standards. This new certification complements the existing certifications for their 110mm and 160mm SN8 pipes, further solidifying their commitment to providing high-quality sewer and drainage solutions.

Locally manufactured in County Antrim, the 250mm SN8 pipes are certified to European Standard EN1401-1 and hold the kitemark licence KM57368. Brett Martin’s Approved Sewer & Drainage System also comprises of SN4 and SN8 pipes in 110mm and 160mm, certified to European Standard EN13476-2. These Brett Martin pipes include a comprehensive range of fittings, including couplers, bends, chambers and junctions, which are also manufactured to or certified according to European Standards, ensuring a seamless and reliable system for their customers.

The newly certified 250mm SN8 Pipe is available in bale sizes of 12, under product code B25006SN8, providing convenient and efficient options for a variety of projects.

“We are thrilled to expand our offering with our 250mm SN8 Pipe now certified to European Standards,” said Glenn Goodman, National Sales Manager. “This certification underscores our dedication to quality, and we are proud to manufacture these products locally in County Antrim.”

In addition to this, Brett Martin’s Range of 315mm AJ’s (Access Junctions) and Inspection Chambers is specifically designed for the inspection and maintenance of underground drainage systems. These chamber assemblies are also locally manufactured in County Antrim and engineered to provide exceptional performance and simple installation, fully meeting the requirements of ROI Building Regulations Technical Guidance Document H.

For more information about Brett Martin’s underground solutions, call 048 9084 8999 or email sales@brettmartin.com

Slim Drainage Range from Galco

Drainage systems may not be the most visible part of a construction project, but when they’re poorly designed or hard to maintain, the consequences are obvious. With that in mind, Galco has introduced the new Slim Drainage Range, aimed at professionals who need a compact, easy-to-install system for tight spaces and light-duty use.

The Slim Channel system has a total depth of just 87 mm, making it suitable for areas where excavation is limited, or full-size channels won’t fit. Designed for A15 load class applications, it’s intended for pedestrian zones, patios, gardens, terraces, and around swimming pools.

Each channel is manufactured from durable polypropylene and weighs only 2.9 kg, allowing for straightforward handling and installation without specialist tools or machinery. The material
is corrosion-resistant and offers a long service life under typical outdoor conditions.

A Smarter Fit for Modern Design
One of the key features of the Slim Range is its modular design. The system includes a corner quad element, allowing for 90° angle connections. This is particularly useful for layouts where drainage needs to follow architectural lines or change direction without complex fittings.

The grating options include two profiles: V-shape and Z-shape, both made from high-strength plastic with a click-lock system for quick removal and cleaning. The grates stay secure during regular use but can be lifted easily for routine maintenance, helping to reduce labour time on site.

Additional accessories such as end caps, outlet connectors, and four-way joints allow installers to tailor the system to specific project requirements without needing bespoke solutions.

Options for Heavier Use
While the Slim Range focuses on light-duty scenarios, Galco also offers versions suitable for B125 load class applications, such as driveways or small access roads. These options feature reinforced slot tops with aluminium edges or PVC grid grating, combining higher load capacity with the same installation
flexibility.

Designed for Everyday Use
The Galco Slim range is designed with day-to-day usability in mind: lightweight, adaptable, and straightforward to maintain. It’s a practical choice for contractors, landscapers, and facilities teams working on projects where space is limited but performance still matters.

For further information visit www.galco.ie