Catch basins, or storm drains as they are sometimes called, are located in every neighborhood and on every commercial property. They are essential to landscaping to make sure the rain doesn’t accumulate, puddle, and cause other problems. Instead, they help the rain and any standing water drain away in a quick manner.
Unfortunately, a catch basin catches more than just water. A catch basin, when draining away the water also catches everything else that comes with it. The way a catch basin is designed is so that it doesn’t immediately drain the water away, but rather fills up a certain amount before it starts the draining. This design allows all the other particulate – dirt, leaves, sediment, the gold watch you accidentally dropped, ect. – to settle at the bottom so there is a decreased risk of it clogging the actual drainage pipes. This is where most catch basin problems start.
When to Clean a Catch Basin
Most property owners don’t realize the importance of regular catch basin cleaning until it is too late. When particulate matter makes up over one third of the catch basin’s capacity, it needs to be cleaned out. If neglected, the debris will start to overflow into the drainage pipes, making clogs an eventuality. Surprisingly, clogs in your catch basin drainage are not the only worry.
Failure to clean your catch basin out regularly can cause other issues such as a prevalent stench, something no property owner wants, be it commercial or residential, and it can also cause insect problems. As the debris is slower to dry out and can heat up quickly in the summer months, it creates the perfect environment for insects such as mosquitoes to breed. Some property owners may wonder why they have such a mosquito problem when they aren’t anywhere close to standing water, and a catch basin can be a very real culprit.
Catch basins should be cleaned out at least once a year, particularly during the rainy season when catch basins see the most action. However, if at any point you smell something unpleasant, find an influx of insects that breed in warm, moist places, or have areas of standing water that are not draining, you should consider inspecting the catch basin to see if a full one is the cause.
How Catch Basins are Cleaned
In its simplest form, the act of cleaning a catch basin is removing the debris from within. However, this is not something you should do on your own. Most catch basins are fairly deep and trying to scoop out the muck yourself is not only a pretty gross job, but it can be a dangerous one. If you notice a catch basin is getting full of debris, it is time to call a professional to clean it out. They not only have the right tools for the job, but they know how to make sure it is cleaned in a way that it won’t back up quickly again either.
Furthermore, while the professional is cleaning out the catch basin, they can also do a quick inspection to make sure that debris hasn’t already caused a clog in the actual drainage pipe. If it has, it would be simple for them to take care of it right then without having to make another trip. For those that opt to try and clean a catch basin out themselves, they may find out they still need to make a call to a professional because of a clog. It is best to have it done right the first time without the whole fuss of doing it yourself.
If you suspect your catch basin is clogged on your commercial or residential property in Minnesota, contact us today. SOS Drain & Sewer can help you take care of all your clogged drains before they become an emergency.
