How To Build a Drainage Catch Basin

Standing water on your property should always be considered. Do not turn a blind eye to what endangers your home's foundation or could lead to a flooded basement or plumbing problems. Instead, you need to be proactive and tackle the issue. For that, you need a drainage catch basin.

Ideal for collecting standing water around the property, a drainage catch basin is a simple solution that anyone can make.

What is a Drainage Catch Basin?

Also called “catch basins,” these systems operate like storm drains that help redirect water from one place and funnel it to another, safer location. This helps prevent flooding. If you live in a place that receives a lot of precipitation or gets a lot of runoff from asphalt, a drainage catch basin might be just what you are looking for.

Residential drainage catch basins are installed at the lowest part of your property, right where the water collects and puddles. If your property has uneven terrain, you should install more than one catch basin.

How Do Catch Basins Function?

The function is simple: Collect water in a buried basin, then funnel that water to another part of the yard. All basins have inlet and outlet pipes, grates covering the opening, and a holding chamber. Water rushes down through the grate, filling the basin. When the water reaches a certain point in the basin, it will rush down the outlet pipe to another place.

The metal grate covering the inlet pipe keeps out anything that could clog the catch basin, like garbage or leaves. However, to ensure long-term efficiency and functionality of the drainage system, consider inlet protection measures. This can increase the grate’s capability by using filter fabrics or specialized inserts. This can prevent the accumulation of silt and other fine materials that could otherwise compromise the basin’s ability to manage storm water runoff.

How to Build a Drainage Catch Basin

Want to build your own catch basin? Here are some tips to help you get started:

Find the place in your yard at the lowest point or where the water is gathering after it rains. Stake the location. From that point, chart out a path for the outlet pipe. The course must be straight and move in the direction opposite to your home.

At the staked point, dig a trough as wide at the top as the metal grate. You should make the hole as deep as necessary to fit the whole basin with some additional space. Typically, the basin is 15-30 cm deeper than the holding tank.

• Dig along the line for the outlet pipe. The trench should be 20 cm wide and around 46 cm deep.
• Flip over the basin and drill some holes. This stops water from stagnating at the bottom of the bucket or tank.

Ensure all connections to the basin, such as outlet and inlet pipes, will be watertight. Use waterproof silicone to connect the pipes. If the basin you purchased has waterproof gaskets already attached, you don’t have to worry about making extra steps.

Fill the hole you dug with some gravel—about 15 cm worth. Place the basin atop the gravel. Make sure the basin's height is the same height as the surrounding earth. If you need to, add more stones. 

• You can add the final inlet pipe and metal grate with the basin in place.
• Make sure all connections are watertight throughout the whole system.
• You can buy most of the items needed at a local home improvement store or from a plumbing company.

Here are some steps for building a catch basin:

• Dig the catch basin hole. The hole should be three to four inches deeper than the catch basin.
• Dig a drainage trench that's at least eight inches wide and 18 inches deep. The trench should slope gradually, with a recommended drop of one inch per linear foot.
• Run the pipe through the trench.
• Pour gravel around the entry point of the basin.
• Push the pipe into the side of the basin.
• Pull the pipe into the basin.
• Install a pop-up emitter at the end.
• Drill small holes in the bottom of the basin to prevent water from accumulating.
• Fill the bottom of the hole with gravel.
• Put the basin on top of the gravel and make sure it's level with the ground.
• Attach the drainpipe to the basin.
• Build a barrier around the drain emitter to prevent weed growth.
• Gently pour gravel around the pop-up emitter. 

Summary

Building a drainage catch basin is quick and easy—and the benefits are limitless. Preventing flooding in your yard is just a few steps away. If you need assistance, be sure to call a plumbing professional.