Drain & sewer maintenance help in Central Florida
Catch Basin Cleaning in Orlando, FL
Tell us what is happening. We will find the cause, explain your options, and handle catch basin cleaning with care.
65+ years serving Central Florida
Licensed local service team
Fast scheduling and clear communication
Service Overview
Catch Basin Cleaning With Clear Answers Before Work Begins
Catch basins are your stormwater system's first line of defense — collecting debris, sediment, oil, and pollutants before they enter the drainage network. When catch basins go too long without service, they fill up, overflow, and create the exact flooding and compliance problems they were built to prevent. Lapin Services provides professional catch basin cleaning for commercial properties, HOAs, municipalities, and industrial sites throughout Central Florida. With 65+ years of underground utility experience, we keep your stormwater infrastructure performing and your property in compliance.
Lapin Services has served Central Florida since 1958. Our licensed technicians bring decades of local experience to every catch basin cleaning call, explain what we find in plain language, and complete the work with the documentation and follow-through your property deserves.
Problems We Solve
Common Catch Basin Cleaning Problems We Fix
You do not have to diagnose the problem yourself. These are common issues we help confirm, explain, and repair.
Sediment and Debris Accumulation
Every rain event washes soil, sand, leaves, litter, and organic matter into your catch basins. Over time, this accumulation reduces basin capacity and restricts flow — turning a minor storm into a flooding event on your property. Regular cleaning removes buildup before it compromises performance.
Grease and Oil Contamination
Parking lots, drive-throughs, and loading docks contribute petroleum residue that bonds with sediment at the bottom of catch basins. This oily sludge doesn't flush out on its own — it requires vacuum extraction and proper disposal to prevent it from migrating into the stormwater system and violating discharge permits.
Blocked Outlet Pipes
When sediment builds to the point where it reaches the outlet pipe, flow is restricted or completely blocked. Water backs up in the basin, surfaces on your pavement, and can undermine the surrounding ground. What started as a maintenance issue becomes structural damage that costs far more to repair.
Mosquito and Pest Breeding
Standing water trapped in clogged or partially blocked catch basins creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and other pests. In Central Florida's climate, a neglected catch basin can become a vector health issue — and a liability — within days of a rain event.
Stormwater Permit Violations
Commercial properties and municipalities operating under NPDES stormwater permits are required to maintain catch basins as part of their pollution prevention plans. Neglected basins allow sediment, hydrocarbons, and pollutants to enter the storm drain system — resulting in permit violations, fines, and regulatory action.
When to Call
Signs Your Drain or Sewer Line Needs Professional Attention
If you notice any of these signs, call Lapin. We will find the cause and explain what needs to happen next.
Standing Water After Rainfall
If water pools around catch basin grates and takes significantly longer to drain than it used to, the basin is likely full or the outlet is restricted. Slow drainage is an early warning sign that cleaning is overdue — don't wait for surface flooding to act.
Visible Sediment at or Near the Grate
When sediment, debris, or sludge is visible at the grate level, the basin has reached or exceeded its capacity. This is an urgent signal: the catch basin is no longer catching anything — material is now flowing directly into the downstream drainage system.
Foul Odors Near Drains
Decomposing organic material, petroleum residue, and stagnant water produce distinctive odors around neglected catch basins. If your parking lot, loading dock, or common area has a persistent drain smell after rain, the basin likely needs cleaning and possibly a structural inspection.
Upcoming Permit Inspection or Audit
If your property operates under a stormwater permit, catch basin cleaning is a documented maintenance requirement. Scheduling service before an inspection — rather than scrambling to respond to a violation — keeps your compliance record clean and demonstrates proactive stewardship to regulators.
It Has Been 12+ Months Since Last Service
High-traffic commercial properties, restaurant parking lots, and sites near landscaping or construction should have catch basins cleaned at least annually — many require quarterly or semi-annual service. If you don't know when your basins were last cleaned, that's reason enough to schedule an inspection.
Our Process
What to Expect From Your Catch Basin Cleaning Visit
Tell us what is happening. We arrive prepared, explain the work clearly, and give clear pricing before work begins.
Step 1
Tell Us What Is Happening
Call or request service. You do not have to know exactly what failed; describe what you see, smell, hear, or need done.
Step 2
We Find the Cause
A Lapin technician or crew checks the issue, reviews the project, and explains what needs to be done in plain language.
Step 3
You Approve the Work
You get clear pricing and options before work begins, so you can make a confident decision.
Step 4
We Handle It With Care
We complete the approved work, respect your home, business, or jobsite, and keep you informed.
Step 5
We Stand Behind the Job
Before we leave, we confirm the work, answer questions, and make sure you know what to expect next.
Why Lapin
Why Central Florida Chooses Lapin for Catch Basin Cleaning
Our name is on every job. We respect your time, budget, property, and trust.
65+ Years of Experience
Lapin has served Central Florida since 1958. Our name is on every job, and we do the work in a way we can stand behind.
Clear Communication
We explain what we find, what it means, and what your options are before work begins.
Respect for Your Property
We protect the home, business, property, or jobsite and treat people the way we would want to be treated.
The Right Team for the Work
We handle plumbing, septic, drains, sewer, underground utilities, commercial service, and serious project work.
Care When It Matters
Every call affects a family, tenant, customer, business, property, or project. We do not take that lightly.
Related Services
Related Services
FAQs
Catch Basin Cleaning FAQs
How often should catch basins be cleaned?
Frequency depends on property type, traffic volume, and nearby vegetation or construction. Most commercial properties require annual cleaning at minimum. High-traffic sites — restaurants, fueling stations, large parking lots, and properties near active construction — typically need service every three to six months. Properties under stormwater permits should follow their maintenance schedule as written in their Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
What is the difference between a catch basin and a storm drain?
A catch basin is a collection structure — typically a below-grade box with a grate on top — designed to intercept runoff and trap sediment before water enters the storm drain system. A storm drain refers to the underground pipe network that conveys that water to retention ponds, outfalls, or treatment facilities. Catch basins serve as a pretreatment step that protects the storm drain system from blockage and the receiving waterbody from pollutant discharge.
Do I need a permit for catch basin cleaning?
The cleaning itself does not require a permit. However, if your property operates under an NPDES stormwater permit or has a required Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, the cleaning must be performed and documented according to your permit conditions. Lapin provides service records and waste disposal manifests that satisfy standard permit documentation requirements.
What happens to the waste that is removed from catch basins?
Extracted material — sediment, sludge, and contaminated water — is classified as liquid waste and transported by our licensed vehicles to an approved disposal or treatment facility. We handle all manifesting and disposal documentation in compliance with Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Clients receive copies of disposal records for their compliance files.
Can catch basin cleaning be done while my property is open for business?
Yes. Vacuum extraction is a low-disruption process that does not require excavation or extended lane closures. In most cases we can work around active parking areas, staging access to individual basins while maintaining traffic flow. For large properties or complex sites, we can schedule work during off-peak hours or overnight to minimize any impact on operations.
What if my catch basin has structural damage?
During our post-cleaning inspection, we identify cracked walls, deteriorating mortar, damaged inverts, broken grates, and settlement issues. If we find structural problems, we document them with photos and provide a repair recommendation. As a licensed underground utilities contractor, Lapin can handle repairs directly — no need to source a separate contractor or manage a handoff.
Do you service HOAs and municipalities, or only private commercial properties?
We service all property types — commercial, industrial, HOA common areas, municipal right-of-way infrastructure, and mixed-use developments. Our experience with permit compliance, documentation, and large-scale infrastructure makes us a preferred vendor for municipal and HOA contracts throughout Central Florida.
How do I know when my catch basins need cleaning if I can't see inside them?
The most reliable indicator is slow drainage or surface ponding after rainfall in areas near catch basin grates. Visible debris at grate level, persistent odors, and any history of non-compliance findings are also signals. If you’re unsure, Lapin can perform a site inspection to assess fill levels and condition across all basins on your property — and recommend a cleaning and maintenance schedule based on actual conditions rather than guesswork.
Schedule Service
Tell Us What Is Happening
Call Lapin or request service. We will get the right team moving, explain your options, and handle the work with care.