Have you ever noticed a grate located on your driveway or near the curb of your street? Odds are that’s probably a catch basin. Catch basins are used to help redirect rainwater and snowmelt from the foundation of your home; they are critical in low-lying areas and locations prone to flooding. By diverting this excess water away from your property, catch basins help prevent water damage, erosion, and flooding, ensuring that your landscape and home’s foundation stay safe and dry.
However, misuse and neglect of catch basins can sometimes lead to clogs or costly repairs. To dodge a worse-case scenario here are a few tips on maintaining your catch basin and avoiding repairs.
How Does a Catch Basin Work?
Your catch basin is a large underground tank connected to the city’s sewer mains. The basin is made up of a grate where the water enters, the catch basin, a sump to capture sediment and debris, and an outlet pipe which then redirects the water away from your property and into storm drains.
If the system becomes clogged or blocked water can no longer flow from the basin and into the sewer system, which only leaves one place for it to go: back up and toward your property.
Keeping Your Catch Basin Working Properly
So now that you know what a catch basin is and how it works, we’ll cover some important tips on how to avoid unnecessary and potentially costly catch basin repairs.
Catch Basins are Not Catchalls
The only things that should enter your catch basin are rainwater and snowmelt. While this may sometimes include the odd branch or a few leaves, you should not intentionally be putting anything else down the drain. This includes rinsing paint trays, disposing of vehicle oil, or dumping out wash buckets. The most important reason why water is the only thing that should be put into a catch basin is that the basin water does not flow through water treatment plants the way your household wastewater does. This water runs right back into local streams and anything you put down that drain will impact the local ecosystem.
A second reason not to use your basin as a trash can is that things like oil, grease, and soap can clog the system, create blockages and cause long-term damage which may require costly repairs to address.
Your Catch Basin Needs to be Periodically Cleaned Out
Just like any other drainage system, catch basins need regular maintenance to function properly. Over time, debris like leaves, dirt, and even small twigs can build up inside the basin, reducing water flow and causing blockages. It’s essential to have your catch basin cleaned out at least once a year, preferably before the rainy season starts. If you live in an area with lots of trees, you might want to clean it more often. During the cleaning process, a professional will remove debris and inspect for any signs of damage or wear that could lead to bigger issues down the road.
If you are noticing lots of debris in and around your catch basin, you can ask to have a filter installed. This simple insert can help prevent debris from building up and damaging the system.
Know When to Call a Professional
If you have any concerns about your catch basin, like pooling water or slow drainage, don’t ignore them. Small issues can quickly become larger problems and these often require major excavation to repair. But if caught early enough, catch basin repair could as be simple as clearing out debris or replacing minor parts. The key to avoiding more extensive catch basin repairs is to take care of small ones promptly!
