How much does a catch basin installation cost in Wichita?

Every property is different, so costs vary based on what you need. The main factors are how many catch basins you're installing, how deep we need to dig, and how much pipe we're running to the discharge point. A single catch basin with a short pipe run costs less than a complete system with multiple basins across your whole property. Adding connections to your gutter downspouts changes the price too. We provide free estimates after we visit your property and see exactly what you need. That way, you get an accurate price instead of a guess.Pricing depends on length, channel/grate material, load rating, surface (concrete/asphalt/pavers), and discharge distance. Most residential projects fall into a site‑specific estimate after an on‑site evaluation.

How do I maintain a catch basin?

Catch basin maintenance is pretty simple. Clean the grate regularly, especially in fall when leaves are everywhere. Just pull off any debris sitting on top so water can flow through. Once or twice a year, you should check the sediment trap at the bottom of the basin. This trap catches dirt and sand before they get into your pipes. When it fills up, it needs cleaning. You can do this yourself or we offer catch basin cleaning services. After major storms, take a quick look to make sure everything's draining right. If you see standing water in the basin that's not draining, something might be clogged. Regular catch basin inspection keeps small problems from becoming big ones.

Do I need a permit for catch basin installation in Wichita?

It depends on the scope and location of your project. Some residential catch basin installations need permits from Sedgwick County, others don't. The good news? We handle all the permit requirements for you. We check what's needed, file the paperwork, and make sure everything meets Sedgwick County regulations. You don't have to deal with any of it. Here you can see the permits and regulations - Wichita Gutter Code and Permitting Guide

Will a catch basin work in Wichita's clay soil?

Yes, actually, clay soil is exactly why you need catch basins. Clay doesn't absorb water, which is the whole problem. Water just sits on top of clay soil with nowhere to go. That's what makes catch basins so effective here. Instead of trying to force water through clay that won't absorb it, catch basins collect the water and move it away through underground pipes. The water bypasses the clay completely. French drains rely on water soaking into the ground. In Wichita's clay, they don't work well by themselves. But catch basins work great because they don't depend on your soil absorbing anything.

How deep do catch basins need to be?

In Wichita, catch basins need to sit below the frost line—that's about 30 inches deep. This protects them from freeze-thaw cycles in winter. If the basin sits too shallow, freezing and thawing can crack it or push it out of place. Commercial applications sometimes need to go deeper, and the depth also depends on where you're connecting to discharge. If you're tying into an existing storm drain, we need to match that depth. We figure out the exact depth during our site evaluation based on your specific property.

Can you connect catch basins to my gutter downspouts?

Absolutely—this is actually one of the best things you can do for your property. Connecting your downspouts to catch basins creates a complete water management system. Instead of downspouts dumping water right next to your foundation, that water flows into the catch basin and gets carried far away through underground pipes. Your foundation stays dry, and you don't get erosion around your downspouts. This is part of a complete underground drainage system that protects your whole property.

How long do catch basins last?

Catch basins are built to last. Most concrete catch basins and plastic catch basins are designed for a 20 to 50-plus year lifespan. How long yours lasts depends on the material you choose and how well you maintain it. Concrete is basically indestructible. High-quality plastic holds up great too, especially when it's installed correctly below the frost line. Our installations include a warranty, and we use materials that we know will last in Wichita's climate.

What's the difference between a catch basin and a French drain?

Catch basins collect surface water, the water you see pooling on top of your yard. French drains handle subsurface water, moisture that's below the surface of your soil. They work differently. A catch basin has a grate that water flows into. A French drain is a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that collects water seeping through the ground. Here's the thing about Wichita: our clay soil doesn't let water seep through easily. That makes French drains less effective by themselves. Catch basins work way better for surface water problems. Often, the best solution uses both. Catch basins handle the surface water, and French drains collect any subsurface moisture. Together, they keep your property completely dry.

Catch Basin & Yard Drains in Wichita KS

Understanding Catch Basins and Yard Drains

If you've never dealt with yard drainage before, catch basins and yard drains might sound confusing. They're actually pretty simple. Both systems collect water and move it away from your property, but they work in slightly different ways.

What Is a Catch Basin?

A catch basin is basically a box buried in your yard with a grate on top. When water flows across your property, it falls through the grate into the basin below. From there, it drains out through a pipe that carries it away from your house.

Storm drain catch basins have four main parts. The grate sits on top where you can see it—that's what catches leaves and debris so they don't clog your pipes. Below that is the basin itself, which holds the water. At the bottom, there's a sediment trap that catches dirt and sand before they flow into your pipes. Finally, an outlet pipe connects to your underground drainage system and carries the water away.

Most residential catch basins are made from concrete or plastic. Concrete catch basins are super strong and last forever. Plastic catch basins cost less and work great for most homes. Both handle Wichita weather just fine.

We install catch basins in spots where water collects. The end of your driveway where water pools after rain is a perfect spot. Low areas in your yard where grass stays soggy need them. And right where your gutter downspouts dump water next to your foundation—that's one of the most important places for a catch basin.

The best part? Catch basins connect right into underground catch basins and drainage pipes. This means water doesn't just move a few feet away, it goes all the way to the street, a storm drain, or wherever it needs to discharge. Your whole property stays dry because the water actually leaves.

What Are Yard Drains?

Yard drains work a lot like catch basins, but they come in different styles for different problems. Some sit on the surface to catch water flowing across your yard. Others work underground as part of your whole drainage system.

Surface drains are what most people think of when they hear "yard drain." These are grates that sit flush with your lawn or driveway. Water flows into them and gets carried away through pipes. They're perfect for flat areas where water sits instead of flowing anywhere.

Pop-up emitters are a type of yard drain that stays closed until water pushes through. They're great for the end of your drainage line because they let water out but keep animals and debris from getting into your pipes. When it's not raining, you barely notice they're there.

Channel drains are long, narrow grates that catch water along a line instead of at one spot. Think of them like a catch basin stretched out. They're perfect across the end of a driveway or along a patio where water flows in one direction. We actually have a whole page about channel drains if that sounds like what you need.

The big question most people ask is: catch basin or yard drain? Here's the simple answer. Use a catch basin when you have water pooling in one spot. Use channel drains when water flows along a path and you need to catch it all. Use pop-up emitters at the end of your drainage line where water comes out. Most good systems use a mix of all three.

All of these connect to your gutter downspouts if that makes sense for your property. Instead of downspouts dumping water right next to your foundation, we can run that water into catch basins or yard drains. Then it flows through underground pipes to a safe spot far from your house. That's how you get complete drainage that protects your foundation.

Does Your Wichita Property Need Better Drainage?

Not sure if you need a catch basin system? Look around your property after the next rain. If you see any of these problems, you need better drainage:

Standing water in your yard after rain - If puddles stick around for hours or days, your yard isn't draining
Water pooling near your foundation - This is the most dangerous spot for water to sit
Soggy, swampy areas where grass won't grow - Grass drowns in constantly wet soil
Water flowing toward your house instead of away - It should always flow away from your foundation
Driveway or patio flooding - Water shouldn't pool on hard surfaces with nowhere to go
Basement moisture or flooding issues - Often caused by poor drainage outside your home
Ice patches in winter from poor drainage - Those frozen spots are drainage problems you can see
Erosion around downspouts or landscape - Water cutting channels means it's not draining properly

These issues are super common in Wichita because of our flat terrain and clay-heavy soil. Your yard might look level, but even tiny slopes matter when water needs to drain. And our clay soil acts like a brick, water can't soak through it, so it just sits on top until you give it somewhere to go.

The longer you wait, the worse these problems get. Water sitting near your foundation doesn't just go away. It seeps into cracks, causes settling, and can lead to expensive basement repairs. Installing drainage catch basins now stops all that damage before it starts.

Our Catch Basin Installation Process

We follow the same proven process for every catch basin installation in Wichita. Our goal is to build a system that works right the first time and keeps working for years. Here's exactly what happens when you work with us.

Site Evaluation and Drainage Assessment

Before we dig anything, we come to your property to figure out the best plan. We walk around and look at how water flows across your yard after rain. We check where it pools, where it goes, and where it should go instead.

We analyze your property's slope, even the tiny grades that don't look like much. On flat Wichita lots, every inch of slope matters when you're trying to move water. We also check your soil, clay soil drains differently than sandy soil, and that changes how we design your system.

During this visit, we locate any underground utilities like gas, electric, or water lines. Nobody wants a shovel through a gas line. We also look at where your gutter downspouts drain and whether we should connect them to your new catch basin system.

We identify the best discharge locations for your water. Maybe it's the street, a storm drain connection, or a spot on your property where water can safely drain away. Every property is different.

We check Sedgwick County permit requirements too. Some projects need permits, some don't. If yours does, we handle all that paperwork for you.

By the end of our evaluation, we know exactly where your catch basins need to go, how deep they need to be, and where the water will end up. We design a custom solution for your specific property, not some cookie-cutter setup that might not work.

Excavation and Basin Placement

Once you approve the plan, we start digging. We mark out the exact locations for each catch basin and start excavation.

Depth matters in Wichita. We dig below the freeze line, about 30 inches down, so freeze-thaw cycles in winter don't damage your system. Concrete catch basins and plastic catch basins both need to sit below that frost line.

If your property is really flat, we create slope where there isn't much natural grade. Water won't flow uphill, so we make sure every basin and pipe has enough slope to keep water moving.

We install the basin units with proper sediment traps at the bottom. These traps catch dirt and debris before they flow into your underground pipes. That's what keeps your system from clogging up.

Next, we connect the basins to underground drainage pipes. If it makes sense, we integrate your existing gutter downspout systems right into the catch basins. This way, roof water and yard water all drain through one complete system.

Everything gets set in a stable base, either a concrete bed or gravel, depending on the application. We level everything and check it multiple times before moving forward. If a basin settles later, water won't drain right.

Pipe Installation and Discharge Setup

After the catch basins are in place, we install the underground pipes that connect everything. These pipes carry water from the basins to wherever it discharges.

Your discharge options depend on your property. We can connect to the street if that's allowed, tie into an existing storm drain, or run to a drainage easement. Sometimes we use pop-up emitters at the end of the line, these stay closed until water pushes through, then pop up to let it out.

The slope of these pipes is critical, especially on flat Wichita lots. Even underground, water needs a slope to flow. We make sure every foot of pipe angles down toward the discharge point.

If you want your gutters tied in, we connect those downspouts to the catch basin drainage systems during this step. No more water dumping next to your foundation. Instead, it flows underground to a safe spot far from your house.

Grate Installation and Testing

With all the pipes and basins in place, we install the catch basin grates on top. We pick grates based on what's driving or walking over them. Residential driveways get medium-duty grates. Parking lots need heavy-duty options. Walkways might need smaller openings that meet ADA requirements so canes and wheelchair wheels don't get caught.

The grates sit perfectly flush with your yard or driveway surface. You shouldn't feel a bump when you drive over them. They should look like they've always been there.

Before we call the job done, we test everything. We run water through the system to make sure it flows correctly and drains completely. We check that there's no standing water in the basins or low spots in the pipes. We verify that water is going where it should at the discharge point.

If we find any issues during testing, we fix them right then. You only pay for a residential catch basin system that works perfectly.

Finally, we clean up completely. We haul away the dirt, smooth out the area, and leave your property looking good.

Most residential catch basin installations take one to three days, depending on how many basins you need and how much pipe we're running. We work efficiently and keep you updated the whole time.

How much does a catch basin installation cost in Wichita?
Every property is different, so costs vary based on what you need. The main factors are how many catch basins you're installing, how deep we need to dig, and how much pipe we're running to the discharge point.

A single catch basin with a short pipe run costs less than a complete system with multiple basins across your whole property. Adding connections to your gutter downspouts changes the price too.

We provide free estimates after we visit your property and see exactly what you need. That way, you get an accurate price instead of a guess.Pricing depends on length, channel/grate material, load rating, surface (concrete/asphalt/pavers), and discharge distance. Most residential projects fall into a site‑specific estimate after an on‑site evaluation.
How do I maintain a catch basin?
Catch basin maintenance is pretty simple. Clean the grate regularly, especially in fall when leaves are everywhere. Just pull off any debris sitting on top so water can flow through.

Once or twice a year, you should check the sediment trap at the bottom of the basin. This trap catches dirt and sand before they get into your pipes. When it fills up, it needs cleaning. You can do this yourself or we offer catch basin cleaning services.

After major storms, take a quick look to make sure everything's draining right. If you see standing water in the basin that's not draining, something might be clogged.
Regular catch basin inspection keeps small problems from becoming big ones.
Do I need a permit for catch basin installation in Wichita?
It depends on the scope and location of your project. Some residential catch basin installations need permits from Sedgwick County, others don't.

The good news? We handle all the permit requirements for you. We check what's needed, file the paperwork, and make sure everything meets Sedgwick County regulations. You don't have to deal with any of it.

Here you can see the permits and regulations - Wichita Gutter Code and Permitting Guide
Will a catch basin work in Wichita's clay soil?
Yes, actually, clay soil is exactly why you need catch basins. Clay doesn't absorb water, which is the whole problem. Water just sits on top of clay soil with nowhere to go.

That's what makes catch basins so effective here. Instead of trying to force water through clay that won't absorb it, catch basins collect the water and move it away through underground pipes. The water bypasses the clay completely.

French drains rely on water soaking into the ground. In Wichita's clay, they don't work well by themselves. But catch basins work great because they don't depend on your soil absorbing anything.
How deep do catch basins need to be?
In Wichita, catch basins need to sit below the frost line—that's about 30 inches deep. This protects them from freeze-thaw cycles in winter. If the basin sits too shallow, freezing and thawing can crack it or push it out of place.

Commercial applications sometimes need to go deeper, and the depth also depends on where you're connecting to discharge. If you're tying into an existing storm drain, we need to match that depth.

We figure out the exact depth during our site evaluation based on your specific property.
Can you connect catch basins to my gutter downspouts?
Absolutely—this is actually one of the best things you can do for your property. Connecting your downspouts to catch basins creates a complete water management system.

Instead of downspouts dumping water right next to your foundation, that water flows into the catch basin and gets carried far away through underground pipes. Your foundation stays dry, and you don't get erosion around your downspouts.

This is part of a complete underground drainage system that protects your whole property.
How long do catch basins last?
Catch basins are built to last. Most concrete catch basins and plastic catch basins are designed for a 20 to 50-plus year lifespan.

How long yours lasts depends on the material you choose and how well you maintain it. Concrete is basically indestructible. High-quality plastic holds up great too, especially when it's installed correctly below the frost line.

Our installations include a warranty, and we use materials that we know will last in Wichita's climate.
What's the difference between a catch basin and a French drain?
Catch basins collect surface water, the water you see pooling on top of your yard. French drains handle subsurface water, moisture that's below the surface of your soil.

They work differently. A catch basin has a grate that water flows into. A French drain is a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that collects water seeping through the ground.

Here's the thing about Wichita: our clay soil doesn't let water seep through easily. That makes French drains less effective by themselves. Catch basins work way better for surface water problems.

Often, the best solution uses both. Catch basins handle the surface water, and French drains collect any subsurface moisture. Together, they keep your property completely dry.