Geofabric for Trenches, Retaining Walls & Ground Drainage

Below-ground drainage has to keep working long after the trench has been backfilled & the finished surface has disappeared above it. RELN Drain Matting provides a non-decaying continuous polymer geofabric for suitable underground drainage applications, including retaining walls, absorption trenches, drain trenching & soakwell installations.

Unlike a grate or surface channel, drain matting does its work out of sight. It forms part of the underground drainage arrangement, where material selection, coverage & correct installation matter before the ground is closed. Explore the wider RELN range for compatible drainage components or RELN | Soakwells when the project includes underground stormwater dispersion.

Choosing the right format comes down to what needs to be wrapped, lined or covered & how much material the installation requires. RELN offers compact packs, a purpose-made Soakwell Sock & larger rolls in multiple widths, allowing material quantity to be matched to anything from a small repair to a longer drainage run.

What Are RELN Drain Mattings?

RELN Drain Matting is an Australian-made, non-decaying continuous polymer geofabric designed for suitable below-ground drainage applications.

RELN identifies the material as GLS150 grade, equivalent to Geofabric Australia's A12.

Formats across the range include:

► 600mm x 6m single packs
► 2m x 6m single packs
► Soakwell Sock single packs
► 600mm x 50m rolls
► 1m x 50m rolls
► 1.2m x 50m rolls
► 2m x 50m rolls

That gives installers options for narrow trench work, wider coverage, retaining-wall drainage & larger projects where buying a full roll makes more practical sense.

Drain matting shouldn't be confused with decorative landscape fabric or a surface drainage grate. It is functional geofabric intended to form part of an underground drainage arrangement.

Why Choose RELN Drain Mattings?

Material handling becomes a serious consideration once a drainage job extends beyond a small trench.

RELN positions its Drain Matting as an alternative in suitable applications where quantities of heavy blue metal or aggregate would otherwise be required.

Depending on the installation, practical advantages can include:

► Lightweight material handling
► Multiple widths & lengths
► Non-decaying polymer construction
► Australian-made manufacture
► GLS150 geofabric grade
► Compatibility with RELN Drain Trenching
► Use in absorption trenches
► Retaining-wall applications
► Septic drainage applications
► Dedicated soakwell format

The difference can be felt before the material even goes underground. Handling rolls of geofabric presents a different transport, storage & positioning task from moving bulk aggregate around an excavation.

Always match the material to the specified drainage arrangement, soil conditions & applicable installation requirements rather than assuming drain matting replaces aggregate in every underground drainage design.

Common Applications

A retaining wall holding back damp ground presents a different challenge from a soakwell dispersing collected stormwater, yet both can require suitable drainage material beneath the finished surface.

RELN identifies Drain Matting for applications including:

► Retaining walls
► RELN Drain Trenching
► Absorption trenches
► Septic tank drainage
► Soakwell installations
► Below-ground drainage projects

Ground conditions deserve attention before the first roll is opened. When excavation forms part of a broader landscape project, Garden, Outdoor & Landscaping Equipment can support the surrounding preparation, digging & reinstatement work.

Product Selection Guide

Start With the Drainage System, Not the Roll Size

Seeing a 50m roll doesn't mean the first decision should be how many metres to order.

Establish what the matting will be used with:

► Retaining-wall drainage
► RELN Drain Trenching
► Absorption trench
► Septic drainage
► Soakwell
► Another specified compatible application

Then determine:

► Required width
► Required coverage
► Number of sections
► Installation requirements
► Access around the excavation
► Reasonable cutting allowance

Measure the drainage arrangement itself before converting those measurements into material quantity.

Understand the GLS150 Grade

Geofabric selection should be based on more than whether two rolls look similar.

RELN identifies its Drain Matting as GLS150, equivalent to A12 grade.

That gives installers a useful material reference when confirming whether the product suits the intended drainage arrangement.

Don't substitute unidentified landscape fabric simply because its colour, texture or width appears comparable. Confirm the required material for the system being installed.

Choose 600mm Width for Narrower Work

A narrow trench doesn't necessarily need a two-metre-wide sheet.

RELN offers Drain Matting in 600mm width, including:

► 600mm x 6m single pack
► 600mm x 50m roll

The smaller pack can make sense where only a limited quantity is required, while the longer roll can suit repeated or extended installations using the same width.

Matching width to the work can reduce unnecessary cutting & leftover material.

Use the 6m Packs for Smaller Projects

Not every drainage repair justifies opening a full 50m roll.

RELN's shorter formats can suit:

► Small retaining-wall sections
► Short drainage runs
► Repairs
► Limited trench work
► One-off residential projects

Available single-pack formats include 600mm x 6m & 2m x 6m.

Calculate coverage before ordering. One compact pack may minimise leftovers on a small job, while multiple short packs can become less practical on a substantial installation.

Move to 50m Rolls for Longer Runs

Repeated trench work changes the material requirement quickly.

RELN's larger roll formats include:

► 600mm x 50m
► 1m x 50m
► 1.2m x 50m
► 2m x 50m

These formats allow both width & overall quantity to be selected around the scale of the installation.

A larger roll can make sense where:

► Multiple trenches are being completed
► A long retaining wall requires drainage
► Several sections need the same material
► Cutting from one continuous roll is practical

Plan the cuts before opening the roll where possible. Efficient cutting can reduce short leftovers that aren't useful elsewhere on the project.

Choose Width Around Coverage

The easiest roll to carry isn't necessarily the most efficient one to install.

Before choosing between 600mm, 1m, 1.2m or 2m formats, consider:

► Trench dimensions
► Wall height or drainage zone
► Required coverage
► Installation detail
► Number of separate sections

Let the required coverage determine the material format rather than simply selecting the narrowest roll.

Use the Soakwell Sock for the Matching Application

A soakwell has a defined shape, so a purpose-made covering can simplify material preparation.

RELN offers a dedicated Drain Matting Soakwell Sock for compatible soakwell installations.

That can form part of an arrangement using:

► RELN Soakwell Base
► Compatible soakwell body
► RELN Soakwell Lid
► RELN Soakwell Sock

Confirm the complete soakwell arrangement before excavation so the required components are available together.

Understand How Drain Matting Relates to Drain Trenching?

RELN Drain Trenching & Drain Matting belong to the same broader underground drainage family.

RELN Drain Trenching can be used in specified applications involving:

► Septic effluent
► Sullage waste
► Stormwater

RELN identifies A12-grade drain matting among the associated materials for its trenching system.

Identify the trench arrangement & installation requirements before calculating the amount of matting required.

Don't Confuse Drain Trenching With Channel Drains

Both systems manage water, but they operate in different parts of the property.

Surface channel drainage is generally positioned where runoff needs to be intercepted across finished areas such as:

► Paths
► Driveways
► Paving
► Courtyards

Drain matting belongs in suitable below-ground drainage arrangements rather than acting as the surface collection point.

For runoff that needs to be captured at finished ground level, RELN | Channel Drains & Pit Base covers related channels, pits & outlet components.

Plan Retaining-Wall Drainage Before Backfilling

Once a retaining wall has been backfilled, correcting a missed drainage detail becomes considerably harder.

Before closing the excavation, confirm:

► Drainage material
► Outlet path
► Pipework where required
► Matting coverage
► Ground levels
► Backfill arrangement
► Installation access

RELN identifies Drain Matting as suitable for retaining-wall applications.

Treat drainage as part of the wall construction rather than something to investigate after moisture begins appearing around the finished structure.

Account for Ground Conditions

Two trenches with identical dimensions can behave differently when they're cut into different soils.

Consider:

► Soil type
► Moisture conditions
► Natural drainage
► Groundwater behaviour
► Installation depth
► Intended disposal method

Below-ground drainage should be selected around actual site conditions rather than dimensions alone.

Where septic or absorption drainage is involved, follow the applicable design, approval & installation requirements for the project.

Keep the Material Clean Before Installation

Geofabric that's been dragged through mud, slurry or construction waste isn't starting the job in ideal condition.

Store unused material:

► Off muddy ground
► Away from wet concrete
► Away from oils & chemicals
► Clear of sharp waste
► Protected from unnecessary site contamination

Site Essentials & Jobsite Gear can support broader organisation around excavation & groundworks.

Only cut what is required when practical & keep the remaining roll protected for the next section.

Make Controlled Cuts

A clean edge is easier to position than material that's been roughly torn to length.

Before cutting:

► Measure the required section
► Mark the cut where useful
► Allow for the specified installation arrangement
► Use an appropriate cutting tool
► Keep the remaining roll organised

If several identical pieces are required, establish the dimensions before cutting each one independently.

A simple cut plan can save a surprising amount of material across a longer installation.

Avoid Unnecessary Punctures

Once positioned, the matting becomes part of the drainage assembly rather than disposable wrapping.

Watch for:

► Sharp rubble
► Protruding fasteners
► Jagged excavation debris
► Careless tool placement
► Unnecessary dragging

Prepare the installation area before laying out the material.

Removing obvious sharp debris is easier than dealing with damaged matting after it has been positioned.

Plan Backfilling Before Starting

The matting still has to remain correctly positioned while surrounding material is placed.

Consider how the installation will be:

► Positioned
► Held where required
► Covered
► Backfilled
► Checked before burial

Work progressively rather than laying out large areas of material that can shift before the next stage is completed.

Final inspection becomes impossible once the drainage assembly disappears beneath the finished ground.

Don't Assume Aggregate Is Unnecessary Everywhere

RELN positions Drain Matting as an alternative in suitable applications where heavy blue metal or aggregate would traditionally be required. That doesn't make aggregate unnecessary in every drainage design.

Requirements can vary with:

► Drainage design
► Soil conditions
► System type
► Local requirements
► Septic or wastewater design
► Installation method

Use the matting according to the intended application & requirements of the project.

Changing a specified drainage design simply to remove aggregate isn't the same as using a product intended as an alternative within a suitable installation.

Measure Retaining Walls by Required Coverage

Wall length tells only part of the story when material needs to cover a vertical drainage area.

Establish:

► Wall length
► Required matting height
► Total coverage
► Installation allowances
► Openings or interruptions
► Cutting allowance

A long wall with substantial vertical coverage has a very different material requirement from a shallow trench of the same length.

Calculate the area before choosing the roll width.

Measure Trenches Around the Required Installation

Linear trench length can also be misleading.

Record:

► Total trench length
► Trench width
► Trench depth
► Required matting position
► Number of separate runs
► Installation detail

Then choose the roll format that produces practical sections with reasonable material use.

A wider roll can sometimes produce a cleaner installation even when the job initially appears narrow.

Plan Material Handling Around the Roll

A 6m pack & a 50m roll behave very differently beside an open excavation.

For larger rolls:

► Create a clean unrolling area
► Measure before cutting
► Keep the roll back from excavation edges
► Prevent unnecessary contamination
► Store remaining material securely

For active excavation work, Work Safety Protections can support appropriate PPE around digging, cutting & groundworks.

Keep Excavations Safe

The matting may be lightweight, but the ground around it can present much more serious hazards.

Before installation, assess:

► Excavation depth
► Ground stability
► Safe access
► Nearby services
► Trip hazards
► Spoil placement
► Water entering the excavation

Never let the simplicity of handling a roll distract from the conditions of the trench itself.

Check Underground Services Before Digging

The most expensive part of a drainage job can be the service nobody expected beneath the proposed trench.

Before excavation begins, establish the location of relevant underground infrastructure & follow appropriate site procedures.

This becomes particularly important around:

► Existing homes
► Renovations
► Established gardens
► Driveways
► Commercial properties
► Previously developed ground

Good underground drainage work begins before the first soil is removed.

Keep Soil & Sediment Out of Open Drainage Components

Excavation creates loose material exactly where you're trying to build a clean drainage path.

During installation:

► Keep spoil away from open components
► Cover exposed drainage where practical
► Remove loose sediment before closure
► Check connections before backfilling

Where surface-water collection forms part of the wider arrangement, RELN | Drain Guards can help manage larger debris at compatible drainage points once the system is operating.

Inspect Everything Before Burial

This is the last easy opportunity to correct the work.

Before backfilling, check:

► Matting position
► Required coverage
► Obvious damage
► Drainage components
► Connections
► Outlet path
► Finished routing

Taking photographs of concealed drainage before burial can provide a useful reference when future landscaping, fencing or excavation occurs nearby.

Once the ground is closed, knowing where the drainage runs is considerably more useful than trying to remember.

Expert Tips

► Identify the drainage application first. Retaining walls, absorption trenches, soakwells & drain trenching have different requirements.
► Confirm the material grade. RELN identifies its Drain Matting as GLS150, equivalent to A12.
► Match width to required coverage. Choose the material format around the actual installation.
► Use short packs where the job is genuinely small. Avoid buying unnecessary material.
► Consider 50m rolls for repeated or longer work. Plan cuts before opening the roll.
► Use the dedicated Soakwell Sock with the compatible RELN soakwell arrangement.
► Don't substitute unidentified landscape fabric. Similar appearance doesn't establish equivalent suitability.
► Keep matting clean before installation. Mud, slurry & construction contamination don't belong in the drainage assembly.
► Remove sharp debris before positioning the material.
► Plan backfilling before laying out long sections. Keep the material correctly positioned as work progresses.
► Treat excavation safety separately from product handling. Lightweight material doesn't mean low-risk trench work.
► Inspect the installation before burial. It's the final opportunity to correct positioning or damage while everything remains accessible.

Underground work leaves very little room for an easy second attempt. Spring Jobsite Prep Getting Your Gear Ready reinforces the practical value of checking materials, equipment & site conditions before the work reaches the point where changes become difficult.