Large Residential Catch Basin Options

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When conversing with an excavating contractor regarding catch basins, they may often think about the sizeable precast concrete drainage structures for stormwater, which are regularly used in municipal, state or federal drain systems. These basins commonly have an interior dimension of 24″ x 48″ or larger and are made of 8” thick reinforced concrete.

A landscape contractor’s perspective on catch basins however, may be different. Typically, the largest catch basin used in landscaping drainage systems is 24″ x 24″. Precast concrete basins are available in this size as well, but they are generally referred to as 24″ x 24″ yard basins.

Options

Several options are available for landscape contractors and homeowners who need a large catch basin. A 24″ x 24″ catch basin is at the boundary that separates commercial products from residential products. Basins larger than 24″ x 24″ are generally made for heavy traffic loads and often used in commercial applications, such as parking lots with high water flow. This article will be exploring some of the “large” catch basin products available for residential applications.

18 inch yard drain, yard catch basin, large yard drain basin

Pre-Cast Concrete Catch Basin

A traditional pre-cast concrete yard basin is made with metal forms in a concrete shape factory. The wall will generally contain some amount of mesh reinforcement with indentations known as knockouts. These depressions make it convenient for a contractor to core out a section of the wall and install a drainage pipe. Usually, the largest pipe that can fit into this basin is a 15” diameter concrete pipe.

Grating options are traditionally limited to heavy-duty slotted cast iron or steel bar grating. Though this type of basin is relatively inexpensive, they require a backhoe or small crane to set them into place.

Cast-in-Place Concrete Catch Basin

If a pre-cast concrete catch basin is too heavy for you to handle by yourself, consider forming a large basin in place. Catch basin forming systems exist that allow you to build a concrete catch basin at your location. After digging a pit for the catch basin, set a metal frame and Styrofoam form inside the hole and suspend it with rebar above the base of the pit. The form will become the “reservoir” of the basin that collects all the water. The space around the form will become the concrete walls of the basin.

Prior to pouring concrete around the form, attach any drain pipe (entering or leaving) by simply butting it up to the form and securing it in some fashion. Once you have the form secured in place with all the desired plumbing, pour concrete around the form.

Depending on the size of the basin, you may choose to hire a ready mix concrete company to bring in “the mud”. However, if you excavated your hole with tight dimensional control you may feel comfortable hand mixing bagged concrete and provide cost saving.

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For example, many concrete companies have a minimum delivery charge. If you are making a 24″ x 24″ x 24″ catch basin with a 6” thick wall, you will need a half yard of concrete (or 2000 lbs.). It may be worth getting a concrete truck and pay the minimum charge. However, if the walls of that same catch basin were going to be 3” thick, one might decide to hand mix the concrete.

TP0650S - CATCH BASIN Dwg
DP0650 with DP0650S Stack

Polymer Concrete Catch Basins

Another option for large yard basins is the polymer concrete catch basin. Polymer concrete is composed of natural mineral aggregates and a polymer binder. It has a very high strength in comparison to conventional concrete. This high strength allows for thinner walls and provides lightweight structures.

Product lines, such as POLYCAST®, include 24” x 24” x 24” boxes that are used to build a large square catch basin. For additional depth, 24″ deep extensions can be placed on top of the solid bottom basin. Smaller 6″ x 12″ x 24″ catch basins made with polymer concrete are also available and work in much the same way.

Attaching PVC piping to polymer concrete catch basins can be a little tricky. However, many provide the same knockouts that can be cored in the field for connecting variable pipe sizes. Concrete may be used to help seal the pipe in the basin wall or maybe when forming a small apron around the grating to help direct water into the basin.

And speaking of grating, polymer concrete catch basins tend to have a variety of residential grating options depending on the size.

Plastic Catch Basins

There are a number of manufacturers in the drainage marketplace that promote plastic catch basins. For example, National Diversified Sales (NDS®) provides products that range in size from 9” x 9” to 24” x 24”. The larger NDS® basins are made from high density polyethylene (HDPE) while the smaller basins are made from PVC.

Depending on the size, extensions are also available for adjusting the depth of the basin. Piping is generally connected with an adapter fitting and PVC glue can also be used to secure the pipe, though it is not necessary.

Catch basin grating options increase in variety as you the drain’s size gets smaller. For instance, the NDS2400 (24” x 24”) catch basin has fewer grating options than the NDS1200 (12” x 12”) basin. These grates are available in several materials, which include plastic, cast iron, and galvanized steel bar. 

If you are looking for decorative grates made from cast iron, there are other manufacturers that produce products that fit the NDS® catch basins. Iron Age Designs is one such company . 

Catch Basin with IA-OBLIO-CB24-BF BoOF
NDS1221 with FG-MESH-CB12

As you can see, there are many options available for large residential catch basins. Whether you are working with an excavating or landscape contractor, there is a solution to be had. No matter the size of your project there is a catch basin drainage system suitable to help manage your stormwater runoff. 

Trench Drain Systems is one of the largest distributors in the United States who are committed to providing you with quick solutions to all your surface water runoff problems. Our professional staff can assess your project requirements and quickly offer you competitive pricing and information regarding the products you need. Contact us for a free quote or for further information on drainage solutions visit TrenchDrain.com or DrainageKits.com

Phone: 610-882-3630

Email: [email protected]

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3 thoughts on “Large Residential Catch Basin Options

  1. Pingback: PlasticTrenchDrain.com » The Catch Basin Medley: Know Your Options

  2. William Veal says:

    I am redoing a patio that has a lot of groundwater drainage from higher elevations and I want to put in a drain in the lowest part. I want a 6″ drain from a catch basin that can be plastic, but I want the grate to be square and decorative. Probably 12″X12″.

    • Trench Drain Expert says:

      A 12″ low profile adapter with a 6″ outlet should do the trick. There are a bunch of ornamental grating options available for this size catch basin. Ornamental grating designs are made by Jonite, NDS and Iron Age Designs for this standard 12″ x 12″ drain grate. The folks at http://www.trenchdrain.biz should be able to steer you in the right direction.

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