No matter how big your facility is, you’ll need a functioning stormwater treatment or collection system to help prevent flooding and any kind of storm damage to your property or the community. Such a system wouldn’t be complete without a storm water pit system, because this part is essential to ensure there won’t be more runoff than the surroundings can handle.
Simply put, a stormwater pit is a water collection chamber or container that’s typically installed underground, and as mentioned above, it’s used to store water runoff. There are a number of different sizes and types of the stormwater pit, with those for residential use usually being among the smallest ones and made of lightweight material. Obviously, commercial-use stormwater pits are made of sturdier or more durable material and are often considerably bigger.
However, no stormwater pit is designed to store water for very long; they’re meant to drain at some point into stormwater pipes. Optimally, the stormwater pit and drainage system should function well enough to keep your property from flooding. But that doesn’t mean you should leave the system alone. In fact, the stormwater pit, at least, will need to be assessed and cleaned out now and then to keep potential blockages from happening. So here’s what you need to remember.
Stormwater Pit Maintenance
For anything to function properly, some form of maintenance is needed. As hinted at earlier, a stormwater pit will need to be cleaned out at least twice a year, according to experts. You may have to do so more frequently if you don’t have a trash screen or if you’re in a place that gets particularly rainy.
Remember that a trash screen will keep out only the bigger forms of debris, so dust and grime, and other small particles will eventually find their way into the pipes of your system and the stormwater pit. Over time, this can and will build up, leaving a layer of silt on the bottom of the pit. Certain plants and weeds can grow in such an environment, so unless you do something about it, you’ll find yourself having to deal with an unwanted garden blocking your stormwater system.
To clean out the stormwater pit, you’ll want to wait for a warm day and then remember to close the valve that directs water runoff into your system and eventually the pit. Even if there’s no valve involved, you still have to find a way to block water from entering the system. Then if it’s possible to remove the stormwater pit, do so long enough for you to wash it properly and give it a good rinse.
Don’t forget to inspect the stormwater pit and take note if it shows obvious signs of wear and tear. The last thing you need is for it to break during a rainstorm, so if you spot cracks or something similar, don’t wait too long between maintenance sessions so you can track how quickly the container is wearing out and have a replacement installed before it becomes too big a problem.
Remember to check the pit after a storm has been forecast as well – but before it hits, of course – to ensure that it’s still in good working order. That and regularly cleaning it out are the best ways for you to maintain the stormwater pit.
If you’re unsure about being able to maintain it, don’t hesitate to call on a professional to take care of the job and make sure everything’s functioning as it should.
