Dry Wells vs Catch Basins: Which Drainage Solution Works Best?

Homeowners can expect to spend between $2,000 to over $10,000 to repair a foundation.

One of the common causes of foundation repair is water damage. Having a dry well or a catch basin installed will help to keep the water away from your foundation.

Dry wells and catch basins prevent water from building up against the foundation by draining it. The source of the water can be anything from excessive rain, gutter runoff, to even broken water pipes around your property.

Dry Wells

A dry well is a hole that is dug into the ground, which allows water to drain into the soil. The size and depth of your dry well will depend on the type of soil your house is around and how much water you’re dealing with.

A dry well can be fed all different types of water and are usually large. They can be fitted with pipes that run into them from drains situated in other areas of your house. They’re good for helping to supplement the effectiveness of a septic system.

Drainage wells can be quite large, with some over six feet deep and bigger than seven feet around. This means that you’ll need space in order to accommodate the size of your dry well.

Catch Basin

A catch basin is part of a drainage system that prevents debris from clogging pipes. A catch basin helps act as part of a system that helps to flush water away from your foundation and property. Catch basins do require occasional cleaning and can begin to smell if not cleared.

Catch basins are installed in a low lying area of your property. A grate over the drain helps to protect it from being clogged by leaves and other debris. The system then drains the water away like a storm drain in your yard.

Residential catch basins usually use a container for the water than is no more than 2’x2’. This helps the system fit in your yard and doesn’t risk an overflow that could cause substantial damage to other properties around yours.

Catch Basin vs Dry Well

The main difference between them is that a catch basin has a watertight compartment buried under the ground, and a dry well is a hole in the ground. Both are effective solutions, but what you need can depend on your property and what troubles you are having.

Each of the systems requires a sloping yard in order to function correctly. Most yards slope, but the amount can vary considerably. Catch basins and dry wells have some disadvantages and can require additional maintenance to operate properly.

Disadvantages of Catch Basins

Catch basins have an underground tank that stores the water they drain off. This water can be shunted into a municipal drain system, local water source, or drained to evaporate. Sediment can build up in these tanks, causing them to smell bad and require cleaning.

It’s recommended that you have your catch basin cleaned and drained at least twice a year. If you notice any problems between regular cleanings, make sure to contact a plumber to come out and look at your catch basin.

Disadvantages of a Dry Well

If you live in a place like Columbus, Ohio, you get more rain than average for the United States. One weakness of a dry well is that they can be overwhelmed by heavy rains and storms. They can also become clogged with branches, leaves, and other debris that washes into the draining system and then into the dry well.

If this happens, the back up will cause flooding to parts of your yard surrounding the dry well. This can cause water damage to your property and require additional clean up and repair. Having your dry well cleared and cleaned will help to prevent it, but flash flooding can still be a problem.

Cost of Installation

It costs an average of over $3,000 to install a dry well. This price includes the digging of the well, the inclusion of concrete walls, and the drain system. The cost can be much higher, and it depends greatly on where you live.

Catch basins cost between $2,500 and $5,000 to install. This means that the average of both systems falls close together. For both systems, it depends on the size of the installation, how much concrete you need, and how big your water problem is.

Check With a Plumber

One of the best ways you can determine which would be better for you is to speak to a professional. If you’re in the Columbus, Ohio region, you should consider speaking to a tried and trusted plumbing service like A Sterling Plumbing.

Plumbing contractors can give you an estimate on dry wells and catch basins. They can also suggest other solutions to your problem. There are multiple types of drains, and each have their own function. A plumbing contractor like A Sterling Plumbing can help make sure you get what you need.

Drainage and Plumbing

Having a functional drain system helps to improve the overall plumbing of your house and property. Investing in plumbing improvements and keeping water away from your home will improve the value of your house.

This is especially true if you want to sell your home, in which case having a drain system will make your property more attractive. If you don’t want to sell your home, then you’re taking an important step in keeping your property safe and protected.

Lean on Our Experience

In the Columbus, Ohio area we have more than 20 years of experience in dealing with the issues that confront homeowners. Don’t run the risk of foundation damage. It will cost many times more than installing a drain by ignoring your drainage issues.

Dry wells or catch basins can help to prevent structural damage to your home. Water will flow wherever it can, always following the easiest path. This means that without a dedicated draining system you are risking the integrity of your home. Contact us today.