Catch Basin Care

A catch basin is also at times referred to as curb inlets or storm drain inlets. They are the inlets to storm drain systems. Their structure typically consists of a curb inlet or grate and has a sump which captures debris, pollutants and sediment. They usually form part of treatment practices and are the pretreatment that catches larger sediments. The ability of it to remove pollutants and sediments will depend on the design, which is usually its size and the maintenance procedures aimed at regularly removing accumulated objects and sediments from the sump.

They are typically located on your driveway, underground parking garages and lots, and mostly next to street curbs. They are installed and generally maintained by local authorities.

Effective Inserts

Curb inlets aren't designed for pollutant and sediment capture. As such, retrofitting the can substantially improve the inlets performance. Inserts can boost their efficiency. They can remove sediment, debris, trash, grease and oil. One of the simplest retrofit options are hooded outlets that capture floatable materials and prevent them from entering the storm drain system.

Filters are one of the varieties of inserts that exist for effectively filtering runoff. The filter fabric will remove pollutants as storm water flows into the system.

The second type of inserts that can be installed by plumbers are catch basin traps; these can be a series of trays or plastic boxes fitted into the basin. The tray-like insert has a top tray that traps sediment at the entry point and other underlying traps can filter specific materials. Plastic boxes can remove hydrocarbons as the water passes and all trash and rubbish is left in the box. These traps make cleaning of the curb inlets/basins by plumbers or drain cleaning experts much easier.

Cleaning Clogged Systems

The grids of basins are widely spaced and because of this, some objects fall through into the system.

The system is clogged when trash and sediments pile up onto and in the basin and as a result, water ponds are formed as the storm water can no longer flow freely into the curb inlet. Street flooding that is localized is a hazard to you and the public as a whole.

Curb inlets should be well maintained and monitored to ensure that they work as efficiently as possible to eliminate the risk of water damage on driveways and flooding of roads. If not frequently maintained the catch basin can be a source of dangerous pollutants and lead to material flowing to rivers and oceans.