The rainy season is upon us, bringing with it the risk of storm water drains becoming blocked and flooding driveways, sidewalks and streets, and making catch basin maintenance a must.
If your catch basin is on your property, it’s your responsibility to maintain it. If it becomes severely blocked it can cause damage to the street, garden and even your home – so it’s best to contact a Chicago plumbing company immediately if you notice any problems.
What is catch basin blockage an issue?
The storm water drain, or catch basin, is a grated opening located on your driveway, or sometimes the sidewalk near your house. Its purpose is to drain surplus water from your home (rain water, run off from watering your garden etc) into the sewer system while catching any debris such as leaves in the metal grate. Some homes also have a pipe leading from the house to the storm water drain.
A blocked catch basin will not direct water into the sewer pipes. Instead, the water will flood the road, driveway and garden. If there is a pipe connected to the house, water can flow back up into your home and may cause flooding during stormy weather.
What can you do to prevent blockages and flooding?
Even if your storm water drain is not located on your property and therefore technically ‘not your problem’, it’s still a good idea to keep the area maintained.
- The pipe exiting the catch basin should be at least 3 inches above the debris level. If you notice a lot of debris, call a plumber in Chicago to professionally clean the drain.
- Clear the storm water grate regularly, especially after heavy rain when leaves and other storm debris can easily cover it completely.
- Don’t sweep fallen leaves and grass clippings from your garden into the catch basin as these will eventually cause a blockage.
If you’re looking for a 24 hour plumber, call 773-992-1587 or email us today.