Catch Basin: What is It?

The inlets of storm drain and curb drains are often called catch basins. Catch basins are openings in the storm drain system that typically feature a curb input or grate at a surface level with a sump. A curb inlet is a point at which stormwater enters the catch basin, whereas a sump captures debris, sediments, and other impurities. Catch basins are effective at stopping garbage and other floating things from getting into the drainage system. A flapper device in a catch basin typically prevents the recirculation f putrid gases from the drain pipes. Also, large leftovers settle in the sump, so that area serves as a pretreatment zone.

A Clogged Catch Basin: What You Need to Know

Is water pooling in your driveway, on the street, or on the sidewalk? It is common for catch basins to become clogged with material like leaves, dirt, and other organic matter. When debris accumulates in the catch basin, it prevents water from flowing into the drainage system, resulting in flooding. We have a lot of work to do regarding catch basin cleaning and maintenance throughout the spring and rainy seasons. Every drainage system will require catch basin cleaning services to remove debris and microscopic particles that could clog the system at some point.

Why You Should Clean Catch Basins

The cleaning of catch basins is an essential aspect of the maintenance performed on sewer systems. That is to prevent the storm sewer from becoming clogged and reduce the amount of polluted water directed into the sewer. Eventually, these contaminants could make their way into a region’s rivers and lakes. Catch basins clogged or blocked can also cause water to pool or flood in parking lots and streets, which annoys businesses, pedestrians, and drivers.

How Do You Clean Catch Basins?

Cleaning a catch basin entails dumping the trash and debris settled at the bottom of the sump. Plumbers often clean catch basins with a clamshell bucket or a catch basin cleaner attached to a vacuum truck. Sometimes, they may use a Vactor truck. Vactor trucks can also carry out repairs to the brickwork, trap, hood, cover, and frame of the catch basin as the cleaning continues.

Catch Basin Cleaning Tools and Equipment

Depending on the specific requirements of an area, a mechanized catch basin cleaner (also known as an MCB cleaner) or suction equipment is used to do heavy-duty catch basin cleaning most effectively.

MCBs are the most efficient and effective method of cleaning catch basins using a hydraulic clamshell. It uses a system that shoots water at high pressure. An MCB can hoist and load waste and debris using a bucket linked to a boom on the truck. Some MCBs can do this without using additional water and can effortlessly clear the area of heavy, hefty detritus that a standard vacuum would struggle to pick up.

Vactor machinery removes trash and sediments from the storm and sanitary lines through maintenance holes and catch basins. Cleaning catch basins of any size, jet flushing sanitary and storm lines, and usually scrubbing the entire sewage system is the job of specialized Vactor equipment.

It is vital to check on your catch basins periodically and have them professionally cleaned to prevent clogs and other issues, so don’t hesitate from time to time calling a plumber for your catch basin maintenance and inspection!