Catch basins are one of those things most properties don’t think about, until the first heavy rainfall hits and water starts pooling where it shouldn’t.
At ground level, a catch basin looks like a simple grate in the pavement. Underneath, it’s designed to collect water and trap debris before it enters your drainage system. The problem is that debris never stops coming. Sand, grit, leaves, garbage, and sediment settle into the sump over time. Once that sump fills up, the catch basin can’t do its job—and your property is left dealing with ponding, slow drainage, and potential flooding.
What a catch basin actually does (and why it fails)
A catch basin is built with a “sump” below the grate. That sump is meant to hold sand and debris so it doesn’t travel down the line and clog pipes.
But that storage area isn’t unlimited.
As sediment builds up, your catch basin loses capacity. Water has less room to collect, and flow slows down. During heavy rain events, that’s when issues show up fast—water backs up, spreads across drive lanes, and finds its way into low areas, entrances, and parkade ramps.
In other words: the catch basin doesn’t fail because it breaks. It fails because it fills.
Common signs your catch basins are overdue
Most properties show warning signs long before a true flooding situation happens. If you’re seeing any of the following, it’s time to schedule a clean-out:
Standing water after rainfall, especially near drains
Slow drainage in drive lanes, entrances, ramps, or loading areas
Grates covered with leaves, silt, or trash
Muddy runoff trails and sediment staining
Odours coming from catch basin areas
These are all indicators that the sump is holding too much material, the inlet is blocked, or both.
What catch basin cleaning should include
Catch basin cleaning isn’t just “clearing the grate.” Real maintenance focuses on restoring capacity below the surface and ensuring water can enter the system properly.
A thorough service typically includes:
Catch basin clean-out: Removing built-up sediment, sand, and debris from the sump
Grate and inlet clearing: Removing leaves, garbage, and surface blockages
Rinse and wash-down: High-pressure rinse around the inlet/throat area to reduce sludge buildup
Site notes (optional photos): Documentation for property managers and strata files
Maintenance recommendations: A practical schedule based on the site’s conditions
When this is done consistently, you reduce both drainage risk and downstream pipe issues.
Who benefits most from catch basin cleaning
Every property with paved surfaces benefits from clean drains, but we see the biggest impact in:
Strata / condo parkades and complexes (especially entrances and ramps)
Commercial plazas and retail sites (high traffic = more debris)
Industrial yards and loading areas (sediment and runoff accumulate quickly)
Warehouses and service roads (mud tracking and heavy use)
If your site has heavy tree cover, frequent sediment runoff, or busy drive lanes, your drains will fill faster—and your maintenance schedule should reflect that.
Why regular catch basin cleaning matters
Catch basin maintenance is one of those services that doesn’t look dramatic—but the results show up when you need them most.
Here’s what it protects you from:
Flooding and ponding: Restoring sump capacity helps the site drain properly during storms
Clogged infrastructure: Less sediment reaching downstream pipes and drains
Slip hazards and safety issues: Less standing water in traffic zones
Mess and staining: Reduced sludge tracking and muddy runoff trails
Emergency service calls: A predictable plan costs less than reactive clean-ups
If you’ve ever had to respond to pooling water during a storm, you already know how quickly a “small” issue becomes urgent.
There isn’t one perfect schedule for every site, but most properties do well with seasonal planning.
We typically recommend:
Spring: Post-winter cleanout (sand and grit buildup)
Late Summer: Pre-rain readiness
Fall: After leaf drop (high-risk period)
For tree-heavy sites, industrial yards, and high-traffic properties, quarterly clean-outs are often the best option—especially if you want to minimize drainage surprises.
How to get accurate pricing and faster scheduling
Catch basin cleaning is usually priced based on access, basin count, and the amount of sediment/debris present.
To quote quickly, it helps to provide:
Site address and access notes
Approximate number of catch basins
Any known drainage issues (ponding areas, recurring clogs)
Preferred timing (daytime, evenings, weekends)
If you’re unsure how many basins are on site, we can confirm during a walkthrough or at the first service.
The bottom line
Catch basins are designed to protect your drainage system, but only if they’re maintained.
If your property is dealing with slow drainage, ponding water, or heavy leaf and sediment buildup, catch basin cleaning is the straightforward fix that prevents bigger problems. A predictable schedule keeps your site safer, cleaner, and rain-ready throughout the year.
If you’d like pricing or want to set up a maintenance plan, Universal Parking Lot Services provides catch basin cleaning across the BC Lower Mainland (Whistler to Chilliwack). Contact us today for a free quote!
Catch basins are one of those things most properties don’t think about, until the first heavy rainfall hits and water starts pooling where it shouldn’t.
At ground level, a catch basin looks like a simple grate in the pavement. Underneath, it’s designed to collect water and trap debris before it enters your drainage system. The problem is that debris never stops coming. Sand, grit, leaves, garbage, and sediment settle into the sump over time. Once that sump fills up, the catch basin can’t do its job—and your property is left dealing with ponding, slow drainage, and potential flooding.
If you manage a strata complex, commercial plaza, or industrial site in the BC Lower Mainland, catch basin cleaning is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your property and avoid emergency calls.
What a catch basin actually does (and why it fails)
A catch basin is built with a “sump” below the grate. That sump is meant to hold sand and debris so it doesn’t travel down the line and clog pipes.
But that storage area isn’t unlimited.
As sediment builds up, your catch basin loses capacity. Water has less room to collect, and flow slows down. During heavy rain events, that’s when issues show up fast—water backs up, spreads across drive lanes, and finds its way into low areas, entrances, and parkade ramps.
In other words: the catch basin doesn’t fail because it breaks. It fails because it fills.
Common signs your catch basins are overdue
Most properties show warning signs long before a true flooding situation happens. If you’re seeing any of the following, it’s time to schedule a clean-out:
These are all indicators that the sump is holding too much material, the inlet is blocked, or both.
What catch basin cleaning should include
Catch basin cleaning isn’t just “clearing the grate.” Real maintenance focuses on restoring capacity below the surface and ensuring water can enter the system properly.
A thorough service typically includes:
When this is done consistently, you reduce both drainage risk and downstream pipe issues.
Who benefits most from catch basin cleaning
Every property with paved surfaces benefits from clean drains, but we see the biggest impact in:
If your site has heavy tree cover, frequent sediment runoff, or busy drive lanes, your drains will fill faster—and your maintenance schedule should reflect that.
Why regular catch basin cleaning matters
Catch basin maintenance is one of those services that doesn’t look dramatic—but the results show up when you need them most.
Here’s what it protects you from:
If you’ve ever had to respond to pooling water during a storm, you already know how quickly a “small” issue becomes urgent.
Recommended catch basin cleaning schedule (BC Lower Mainland)
There isn’t one perfect schedule for every site, but most properties do well with seasonal planning.
We typically recommend:
For tree-heavy sites, industrial yards, and high-traffic properties, quarterly clean-outs are often the best option—especially if you want to minimize drainage surprises.
How to get accurate pricing and faster scheduling
Catch basin cleaning is usually priced based on access, basin count, and the amount of sediment/debris present.
To quote quickly, it helps to provide:
If you’re unsure how many basins are on site, we can confirm during a walkthrough or at the first service.
The bottom line
Catch basins are designed to protect your drainage system, but only if they’re maintained.
If your property is dealing with slow drainage, ponding water, or heavy leaf and sediment buildup, catch basin cleaning is the straightforward fix that prevents bigger problems. A predictable schedule keeps your site safer, cleaner, and rain-ready throughout the year.
If you’d like pricing or want to set up a maintenance plan, Universal Parking Lot Services provides catch basin cleaning across the BC Lower Mainland (Whistler to Chilliwack). Contact us today for a free quote!