Catch Basin Maintenance for BC Properties

A catch basin works by letting water drop into a sump below the grate, where sediment settles out before the water continues into the outlet line. When the sump fills with sediment and debris, the basin has no room to collect water and floods instead of draining.

How often to clean

For a residential driveway, once a year is usually enough — ideally in fall after the leaves come down. For parking areas under trees or with heavy traffic, twice a year. A basin that floods between cleanings needs to be cleaned more often or has a blocked outlet that needs repair.

What maintenance involves

Cleaning means removing the grate, clearing the sediment and debris from the sump, and checking that the outlet line is open and carrying water. We also check the grate and frame for damage. For commercial and strata properties, we set up a regular schedule so the basin never reaches the point of flooding.

See our catch basin page for installation and repair.