Maintaining catch basins
It is important to maintain catch basins to prevent storm sewer blockage and minimize the amount of pollutants entering the sewers, which discharge into detention basins or directly into streams. Clogged catch basins can also cause water to pond along streets and in yards and parking lots. Typical maintenance of a catch basin includes;
Remove debris from grates; the grates of catch basins can become clogged with litter of leaves, especially in the spring and fall. Regularly inspect the grate and removal trash, sediments, collected in the sump using a catch basin cleaner with clamshell bucket or a vactor truck.
Removal of debris from storage area; catch basins should be cleaned out before the storage area is half full. Once this level is reached, debris begins to wash into sewer pipes. Cleaning should be done in the spring after the first large snowmelt, in the fall after trees have shed their leaves, and additionally if need be.
To find out how much material has accumulated in the storage area, insert a long pipe or broom stick into the grate, notice where the pipe or stick hits the debris and continue to the bottom to estimate the depth of accumulation. If the catch basin is shallow enough, you may be able to clean it out yourself with a shovel and bucket but care is taken not to drop the grate down the opening when it is removed as it can be extremely hard to retrieve.
Additional general maintenance includes the catch basin brick work, frames, covers, and hoods.
If you cant do it alone call professional service which is Catch Basin Guys on 800-232-5128 or visit us in District of Columbia and we will service you.
Residential Catch Basin service
