Driveway Culverts

Maintenance Tips

If culvert cleaning is necessary, talk to your neighbors. Jetting companies will give better rates to multiple projects and/or can eliminate mobilization charges (see contacts below).
Keep the upper & lower ends of the driveway culverts clear! Don’t plow or store snow on either end.
Inspect your culvert in the summertime. If there is more than 25% of sediment, clean it out before winter.
Keep the ditch above the culvert free of debris, loose rocks, or anything that can migrate downhill
Protect the outfall with proper bedding to prevent erosion
Maintain a constant slope for the drainage and eliminate any high or low points in ditches
Maintain a constant depth and width of the ditch
Compact all soils in trenches to alleviate erosion
Extra care should be taken if thawing plastic culverts
BMMD may require owners to heat tape their culvert to ensure flow during the winter months to minimize the potential of ice forming on roadways. Heat tape in winter to prevent freezing is a reliable and efficient option if installed correctly. If heat tape is used, protect the wire and components from plow and vehicular damage and size electrical cord accordingly.
Trough Heaters are also an option which can be placed directly on the ice but will take a longer period of time to melt out thoroughly. If a trough heater is used, protect the wire and components from plow and vehicular damage and size electrical cord accordingly

Repairs or Replacement Tips

If it appears that your culvert is rising or “floating” then it’s probably a poor bedding issue under the pipe. You should replace the culvert by adding the proper 4” minimum or more of bedding cover on top of culvert before any asphalt or paving is added.
Replace culvert to proper size, slope and bedding.
Install flared ends on uphill side if needed
Improve ditch soils and slopes to prevent erosion.

Vendors

G&G Services

Vendors for Private Infrastructure Maintenance

Water Solutions Inc (WSI)

Water Works West

Website Accessibility Statement