Grated drain boxes and catch basins

Normal function

It intercepts surface water before it ponds against a foundation, walkway, driveway, or low yard area and sends it to a controlled outfall.

What a homeowner may notice

• Standing water, clogged grate, sediment-filled sump, broken basin, loose grate, pipe separation, or water backing out of the grate.
• Erosion around the basin or a low spot that has settled around the box.
• A basin receiving more roof/yard area than its pipe or outlet can handle.
• Basin installed without cleanout or access for maintenance.

Professional inspection

Remove and inspect the grate, measure sump and pipe size, flush the line, check inlet elevation and surrounding grade, locate the outfall, and confirm the receiving area can accept the flow during rain.

Repair or replacement path

Clean or reset the basin, replace grate/box or broken fittings, regrade the inlet, add cleanouts, replace blocked pipe, and stabilize the outfall with a designed emitter or rock/riprap where appropriate.

Typical materials and equipment

Catch basin/drop inlet, grate, solid pipe, fittings, cleanout, bedding, gravel, geotextile, topsoil, sod, and erosion-control rock.

When to act

Clear blocked basins before heavy rain; repair settlement or broken outlets before erosion undermines the yard.

What moves the price

Inlet depth, basin size, pipe route, roots/rock, outlet elevation, vehicle-rated grate, restoration, and stormwater constraints.