Winter will be here before you know it. Don’t wait to clean your catch basins until the rains have already begun. By then it is too late. Go ahead and schedule catch basin cleaning now so that you are prepared for the winter rains when they come.

What is a Catch Basin?

Catch basins are commonly known as “storm drains” by most people. They are designed to handle the excess runoff that occurs when a rainstorm comes through. Without them, excess runoff would cause flooding. Catch basins also filter the water in a basic way before releasing it into the sewer system.

This filtration means that catch basins will fill up with solid material and sediment over time, reducing their effectiveness. That is why it is so important to schedule regular catch basin maintenance. Using a HydroVac truck, roughly 80 percent of the accumulated solids will be removed. This ensures that the catch basin can continue to function properly without getting overwhelmed by storm runoff. HydroVac’s offer the most cost-effective, efficient method for cleaning out catch basins.

Defining a Maintenance Schedule

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for determining when catch basins need to be cleaned. The weather in the area, topography and design of the catch basin are all factors. User preferences and the use of the catch basin by the facility also weigh into catch basin maintenance decisions.

The best way to figure out when to get catch basins cleaned is to perform regular visual inspections. At a minimum, facility managers should send a trained worker out to inspect the site’s catch basins twice a year. The best times to do this are in the fall and the spring.

Fall is often when catch basins get clogged up the most thanks to the leaves coming down from the trees. This makes it crucial to maintain catch basins at this time. Early spring is also an important time to clean catch basins. This ensures that they are ready to handle the large inflow of water from melting snow and heavy rainfall.

Your catch basins need to be in good condition to prevent flooding on your property. To make sure they are operating properly, be sure to schedule regular maintenance of your catch basins. Call McRae’s today to schedule your catch basin cleaning. We will bring out our powerful HydroVac trucks to get your catch basins cleaned out and ready for winter. With regular maintenance your catch basins will always work well for you.