Archive for the ‘Catch Basin’ Category




Jobsite Photos: Rose Paving

Published by Candace on August 22nd, 2012

We sure have been busy this summer!  Check out some of our recent jobsite photos in the Chicago land area – from sealcoating and concrete to resurfacing.  We look forward to finishing the season strong!

Visit our Facebook Page and follow our Senior Project Manager on Twitter @RPProjectMgr to see more photos and get real time updates!  (Click each photo below to enlarge)

 

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Catch Basin Facts: 8 Things You Didn’t Know…

Published by Karen on July 11th, 2012

Our Trivia Series continues with a collection of fun facts you may not have known about catch basins.

  • A sinkhole has developed adjacent to the catch basin.

    Catch basins (commonly referred to as storm basins or storm sewers) are underground chambers topped with grates.  They allow sand, sediment, and other materials to settle out of storm water before it travels to a detention basin or drain lines.  In parking lots, catch basins are installed to collect water from low-lying areas to prevent flooding or other water damage.

  • Over time, catch basins may need adjusting to ensure that they are properly draining water from the surface.  Common causes of deterioration include weak mortar, water erosion, salt, recurrent freeze-thaw cycles, age and heavy vehicle traffic, to name a few.
  • There are varying repairs for catch basins based on the severity of damage: full catch basin rebuild, top-half rebuild, and concrete ring replacements.
  • A sinkhole is often the sign of a damaged catch basin and poses a major liability to property owners.
  • Sinkholes can develop in areas adjacent to catch basins because pipes, leading to or from the basin, collapse and water begins to erode the stone base supporting the asphalt.
  • Once the deteriorated catch basin has been repaired, the area surrounding the basin can be repaired with either asphalt or concrete.  Concrete provides an added benefit in that it is more durable than asphalt.
  • If there is no proper drainage in a parking lot or there is simply a low-lying area that holds water, a new catch basin can be installed.
  • In addition to performing remedial repairs on catch basins, regular cleaning is essential in helping catch basins function properly.  This repair method involves the use of a vacuum truck to suck garbage, leaves, and mud from the bottom of the basin.

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A Closer Look at Catch Basins: Part 2

Published by Karen on February 23rd, 2011

Equipped with an adequate number of catch basins strategically placed in a parking lot, it then becomes important for facility/property managers to perform routine inspections and cleaning of the catch basins.  Inspections should be conducted with the assistance of a reputable parking lot maintenance contractor.  He or she can help you look for the following potential defects:

Defect 1: The catch basin is higher than the surrounding asphalt, causing a trip hazard and standing water around the basin.  This occurs when the stone sub-base underneath the surrounding asphalt settles over time and the pavement becomes lower in elevation than the concrete basin.  To remedy this situation, a contractor can remove the surrounding asphalt and lower the basin by removing concrete rings to alter the height of the iron frame.

Defect 2: Sinkholes are developing in the asphalt adjacent to the basin.  This is the result of one or two occurrences.  The first is when water penetrates the basin through gaps in rings, barrels, or at inlets and erodes the stone sub-base in the surrounding asphalt.  If action isn’t taken quickly to remedy this situation, water will erode the concrete basin and further exacerbate the problem.  The second is when the stone base adjacent to the basin has settled and cannot support the surrounding asphalt.  Depending on the extent of the erosion, it may be possible to remove and replace the surrounding asphalt and fill it to a greater depth or it may be necessary to replace the entire basin structure. Read more…

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A Closer Look at Catch Basins: Part 1

Published by Karen on February 16th, 2011

Believe it or not, spring is right around the corner and that means April showers.  As any facility or property manager can attest, excess rainwater can wreak havoc on a building.

Installation of a new concrete basin

Installation of a new concrete basin

Many facility/property managers overlook drainage on their parking lots until it is too late because, from the surface, problems are not easily identified.  But, upon closer inspection of areas in and around catch basins, potential drainage issues can be detected early and repaired before they become a concern.  Catch basins are underground chambers topped with grates.  They allow sand, sediment, and other materials to settle out of storm water before it travels to a detention basin.

Begin by assessing the number and location of catch basins on your parking lot.  During initial installation, parking lots should be constructed with a minimum of 1% slope for efficient drainage.  In many situations, this slope is not achieved uniformly throughout the parking lot and lower spots may exist.  Catch basins should be located in those areas to help water exit the surface.  Read more…

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