Warning signs
- Water sits above or around the grate after rain.
- Silt, mud, mulch, or leaves are visible inside the pit.
- The catchpit fills quickly but drains slowly.
- Water spills across a driveway, path, or yard.
- The same area floods every time it rains heavily.
Why cleaning matters
A catchpit full of debris cannot trap much more. That can push silt into downstream pipes and make the next blockage harder to clear. Regular cleaning is especially useful near trees, garden beds, loose gravel, or steep driveways.
When cleaning may not be enough
If the pit is clean but water still does not leave, the outlet pipe or downstream stormwater line may need jetting or CCTV inspection.