Find the collection point
Observe where water actually gathers and review surface elevations. A grate that sits above the low spot can miss the water it was intended to collect.
Residential surface drainage
Catch Basins / Yard Drains
Collect standing water where it gathers. Surface grates and catch basins give runoff an entry point into a buried drainage line, with placement planned around your lawn, landscape beds, and outlet.
Plan my catch basins and yard drains projectGive runoff a clear entry point
Collect the water.
Plan where it goes.
A catch basin is a collection box below a surface grate. Water enters through the grate, then flows into a connected drainage pipe. A yard drain may use a smaller surface inlet for a particular low spot. Both depend on runoff reaching the inlet and on a suitable path for water to leave the property’s problem area.
Surface drains may suit recurring puddles, low lawn areas, or landscape beds receiving runoff. They do not automatically dry the soil across an entire yard. If the main problem is persistent moisture below the surface, a French drain may be more appropriate or may be needed as part of the plan.
The complete water path
A drain is more
than a grate.
Collection, conveyance, and discharge need to work together.
Match the grate and basin
Choose the inlet, basin, and pipe arrangement for the expected flow and location. Grates in traffic areas need a suitable load rating and installation detail.
Plan discharge and access
Route the collected water to a suitable outlet. Keep the basin and downstream line accessible so debris and sediment can be removed.
Scope before price
What shapes
your installation.
The number and size of inlets, pipe length, excavation access, route depth, outlet work, and lawn or landscape restoration influence the project scope. A property assessment establishes which collection points are useful before the installation is priced.
Built to stay accessible
Plan for
maintenance.
Clear leaves and mulch from grates, remove collected debris from accessible basins, and inspect the outlet after storms. Avoid covering the grate when adding soil or landscaping. A backed-up basin may indicate a blocked line or an outlet limitation rather than an inlet that needs to be larger.
Homeowner questions
Catch basins and yard drains
questions.
Is a catch basin the same as a French drain?
No. A catch basin collects water at the surface through a grate. A French drain is intended to intercept water within the soil. The right system depends on the water source and the conditions on your property.
Will one yard drain remove every puddle?
Only water that reaches an inlet can enter it. Separate low spots may need their own collection points or improvements to the surface flow path. A coordinated plan should establish how each problem area connects to the system.
Where will the collected water go?
The receiving location is confirmed during planning. A street drain, roadside ditch, neighboring property, or shared drainage feature is not an assumed connection point.
Start with your property
Let’s get your yard
moving in the
right direction.
Prepare a simple drainage project summary. Select the issue you’re noticing and add a few details about your yard.
No measurements yet? Describe what you see after a rainstorm.
One yard. The right combination.