The catch basin is a crucial yet often neglected part of sewer and drainage maintenance. A typical catch basin collects and retains vast amounts of water, sediment, debris, and other organic matter that can clog the sewers if left to flow.
But these elements shouldn’t be left to accumulate in the basin because they can eventually overload it and burst, causing flooding of the sewage in the surroundings. They are also a lingering health hazard that requires quick disposal.
Accessing some catch basins can be challenging, especially if they have been built around high-traffic or parking areas. However, professional catch basin cleaning services can hack such a demanding and complex task without inconveniencing anyone or causing dangerous spillage.
What Exactly is Catch Basin?
A catch basin is a chamber-like low area spot built along the storm drain system to collect stormwater flowing into the pipes. Plumbers often identify a hollow area on your property to set the basin, build walls around it, and a grate on its top, and erect a pipe that slopes away from the basin.
The catch basin has multiple uses. It checks against floating debris, retaining it to prevent it from getting into the sewer pipes. It holds sediment and other solids that can clog pipes, enabling smooth, free-flowing water. And finally, this critical base has a trap device that averts the backflow of bad smells from the pipes.
What a Typical Catch Basin Cleaning Process Looks Like?
Once you consult with professional plumbers, they will come onsite for a complete inspection of the catch basin. The assessment is to see if everything is in good condition and working correctly.
Next, the plumbers empty the catch basin, and thoroughly clean it, including the surrounding walls. Sometimes the cover or grate might require replacement. The plumbers will take the cue and ensure the catch basin is as good as new.
Importance of Regular Catch Basin Cleaning.
While the rainy and storm season can overwhelm a catch basin, other times, water, debris, and dust from the streets collect into it. Other dirt and bits of plastic aren’t an exception, as they can also reach the catch basin.
The buildup of all these elements means the catch basin doesn’t work correctly and can cause pipe bursts and flooding of the sewage material. Pollution alone can also pose a health hazard to people around.
Routine cleaning and maintenance ensures everything works optimally. And although plumbing experts recommend an annual catch basin cleaning exercise, the amount of water and debris that finds its way into the catch basin dictates how soon plumbers should visit.
For example, highly volatile stormy weather and human congestion locations require a catch basin cleaning more times in a typical year. Cleaning and repair/replacement allows optimal performance of the entire drainage system throughout the storm season.
2 Types of Essential Catch Basin Cleaning Tools and Equipment
Each catch basin cleaning task is unique. While some require just light-duty cleaning gear, others need highly sophisticated heavy-duty tools and equipment to complete the job. Plumbers cleaning catch basins of various sizes will often use the following equipment:
- A mechanical catch basin (MCB) cleaner is a powerful, sturdy clamshell that effortfully cleans your catch basin. The tool’s jesting system applies massively high pressure, helping to lift and load the entire catch basin’s buildup of dirt, debris, and sediment onto the truck for safe disposal.
- Vactor equipment: This catch basin cleaning tool vactors and flashes massive amounts of rubbish from the catch basin onto a waiting truck ready for disposal. Vactors are suitable for all types of catch basins, irrespective of size and depth.
Conclusion
No one will ever know how significant a role a catchment basin cleaning plays until it accumulates and spews unhealthy and smelly floods of sewage at the bus parks or even your home.
But why would you wait until it happens? Consult professional plumbers to investigate and clean your catch basin. They have the know-how, tools, and experience to meet all your plumbing needs within a quick time frame.
