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Gully covers. You could think of them as the “sink drains” of the streets. Cars drive over them, and unless they’re clogged or overflowing, we don’t really notice them. However, just as when washing dishes by hand, we want to prevent water from pooling or debris from clogging the drain. Yet leaves and dirt from the streets would do exactly that after a while. So how is it that our storm drains are almost always clear? We at EQQO take on this task. Our trained specialists handle the cleaning of catch basins, street inlets, and drainage pits both in urban areas and outside of town. We rely on efficient specialized machines equipped with powerful suction systems.
The following explains just what marvels catch basins actually are and what is important when it comes to maintaining them.
Definition: Storm drain
A storm drain is an essential component of the drainage system and is therefore part of the urban infrastructure. Its main function is to divert rainwater from road surfaces and direct it safely into the sewer system. Although the design of a typical storm drain is quite simple, it is nonetheless very effective.
A storm drain typically consists of a rectangular concrete basin that is set into the ground and covered with a grate. The grate serves to filter out larger objects, such as branches or trash, while still allowing water to flow through. Inside the catch basin itself, there are recessed buckets that prevent leaves or other debris from entering the water flow.
However, leaves, dirt, and debris often accumulate in them to such an extent that the water can no longer drain properly. This happens when large volumes of water carry debris and twigs away in a very short time, but also when the catch basins are cleaned too infrequently or not thoroughly enough.
We therefore recommend cleaning the storm drain 2 to 3 times a year to prevent flooding.
At EQQO, all of our employees in the catch basin cleaning department have a thorough understanding of the structure of catch basins, enabling them to carry out our cleaning processes effectively and achieve optimal results.
That is why we place great importance on ensuring that our team has the necessary expertise to handle specific tasks and guarantee first-rate, safe, and proper gully cleaning.
Difference Between a Storm Drain and a Gutter
So you can think of the drain trap as being like the siphon in a sink. What exactly is a drain, then?
The difference isn’t really apparent to the casual observer; both essentially serve the same purpose. Visually, they differ in shape and size. We refer to the rectangular boxes at the roadside as storm drains. We also often find gullys in the middle of the road. These, in turn, are the large, round covers with small round openings around them.
There is also a slight difference in construction: catch basins have a bucket inside and are easy to pry open. Gullys, on the other hand, are very heavy and more difficult to clean. Unlike catch basins, they do not contain buckets inside, but rather strainers and grates to filter out coarse debris and organic matter. These are also referred to as sewer inspection chambers.
While catch basins can be vacuumed out, cleaning storm drains involves more effort and also poses a greater health risk, as they are very heavy and must be cleaned by hand.
EQQO handles this as well, but at reasonable prices due to the risk and the increased effort involved.
Gully Cleaning
Preparation
When we at EQQO clean a catch basin, we first conduct a thorough inspection of it. It’s important for us to assess its condition, including the surface, in order to identify any potential problems.
Sometimes the bucket gets damaged, causing organic matter or trash to block the catch basin bucket.
A significant buildup of water around the drain can also indicate a clog or a problem with water flow.
There is also often a lot of dirt accumulated under the drain basins. We clean this as well to address the underlying problem and clear any blockages.
Here at EQQO, we take these visible signs seriously to determine during the cleaning process whether the drain basin bucket might also need to be repaired or replaced. If that is the case, we replace the bucket with a new one right away.
Removal of the storm drain cover
To gain access to the inside of the catch basin, you must first remove the cover.
For lighter covers, we use manual tools that are ergonomically designed for each employee, because the health and ergonomics of our team are very important to us at EQQO. We therefore ensure optimal workplace safety and equip our heroes with the right tools so they are always protected and prepared. This includes items such as special hooks or levers. For covers that are stuck or heavy, however, greater leverage may be necessary to access the interior of the catch basin. In such cases, we at EQQO are well-equipped to handle the task.
Removal of Deposits
We perform the actual cleaning using special machines equipped with a suction function, which allow us to carefully remove sludge, leaves, and debris from inside the catch basin and from under the bucket.
At EQQO, however, unlike many other providers of catch basin cleaning services, we don’t just empty the catch basin’s bucket—we also thoroughly vacuum out the shaft beneath it. This is because there is usually a significant amount of dirt and debris there as well, which can lead to clogs. So when we clean a catch basin, we don’t just clean the surface—we also clean the deeper parts of the system.
Maintenance
During the cleaning process, we also check the catch basin bucket for damage or other defects. If necessary, we can replace it. If we discover any major defects, we report them to our customers so they can consult the appropriate experts.
Disposal of the catch basin material
We believe in a circular approach to waste management and therefore make the best possible use of the resources collected from the catch basins.
For us, organic material such as leaves or sludge is not waste; instead, it is recycled in our in-house recycling facilities and reused for other purposes, such as building dams or as a base material in road construction.
GPS Tracking: This way, both you and we have manholes at all times
For us at EQQO, GPS tracking has proven to be a successful and innovative technology for boosting our efficiency and enabling our customers to closely monitor our cleaning activities.
It also allows us to track our vehicles and their locations in real time, enabling us to quickly address any potential complaints.
This also provides us with a precise record of which areas have already been cleaned and where cleaning is still pending.
An Overview of the Benefits of GPS Tracking:
- More efficient route planning and avoidance of empty runs
- Improved service for our customers
- minimal traffic disruption
- 100% Transparency
Keeping Gutters Clean Long-Term
At EQQO, we clean catch basins using innovative and modern specialized machines. These machines are designed to clean efficiently and thoroughly.
Here’s how we go about cleaning:
Reduce Water Consumption
Thanks to state-of-the-art technologies and intelligent systems, we can optimize energy consumption during the cleaning process as much as possible and conserve resources.
Our cleaning machines are designed to ensure thorough cleaning of the catch basins without wasting unnecessary resources.
For example, our high-performance vacuum systems allow us to efficiently remove sludge and debris without using large amounts of water. This means we can get by with very little water.
Durability of Our Machines
It is very important to us to invest in high-quality custom-built machines that are durable and reliable.
High-quality machines are designed for continuous operation and can deliver reliable performance even under demanding conditions.
In addition, durable and reliable machines help reduce total cost of ownership by requiring less maintenance and fewer repairs and by maximizing the machines’ service life. This benefits not only us but also our customers.
How can cleaning storm drains help prevent flooding?
Flooding can have many causes, including heavy rainfall, unfavorable topographical conditions, or inadequate drainage systems.
It would be too simplistic to assume that cleaning storm drains alone would have prevented severe flooding such as that in the Ahr Valley. It is precisely under such circumstances that a comprehensive approach is needed. In such cases, general infrastructure—such as the creation of retention basins or early-warning systems—plays a decisive role.
What we at EQQO can say with certainty is that cleaning storm drains plays a significant role in preventing flooding. We take on this task, maintaining and cleaning your storm drains properly, professionally, and effectively, thereby helping to at least reduce the risk of flooding. Proper cleaning allows water to drain away and prevents it from pooling too quickly. Therefore, to prevent flooding, we recommend cleaning the storm drains at least once or twice a year.
Conclusion: Storm Drains and Storm Drain Cleaning
Overall, regular cleaning and maintenance of storm drains are of critical importance. We recognize the important role these often-overlooked structures play in preventing flooding and maintaining traffic safety.
By using innovative and resource-efficient cleaning technologies, such as GPS tracking and automated cleaning systems, we can maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of our services while keeping resource consumption as low as possible.
We invest in high-quality machinery that is designed for continuous operation and delivers reliable performance even under demanding conditions. This durability and reliability are of the utmost importance to us in ensuring that we can always provide our customers with first-class service.
In addition, it is important to us to raise awareness of the importance of cleaning catch basins. EQQO’s catch basin cleaning process is efficient and well-organized.
- First, the covers are removed to gain access to the catch basins.
- Deposits such as leaves and mud are then removed using special vacuum machines.
- The shaft below is also thoroughly vacuumed to prevent clogs.
- Meanwhile, the drain pails are inspected for damage and, if necessary, replaced with EQQO pails. Any significant damage is reported to the customers.
- After cleaning, the covers are securely fastened back in place so that our unsung heroes can continue to function properly.