Emptying of sand traps

Sand traps are mainly used to protect waste pipes that receive stormwater from roads and streets to prevent sludge and clogging. Stormwater and washing water flows down manholes and sand traps. Therefore, these must be emptied regularly to avoid flooding and pipe damage.

Manholes and gratings are everywhere – in the streets, residential areas, petrol stations or washing halls. When gravel and sand flow into the sand trap, the masses sink to the bottom, while the water continues on into the pipe system.

Why is it important to empty sand traps?

• Sand traps prevent damage to the pipe system. Failing to empty might result in clogged pipes, which then require flushing to be unclogged. The costs are therefore only moved from the emptying of sand traps and over to flushing of clogged pipes.
• A full sand trap might pose an immediate risk of pollution, especially with emissions of polluted masses from the likes of petrol stations and washing halls. In washing halls and petrol stations, the water running into the sand trap is often full of detergents, oil and other toxins. The toxins attach to the sand particles and are collected in the sand trap, while the water continues into the pipe system.
• With a heavy water flow, full sand traps can often lead to flooding and large damages to properties.

It is important that sand traps are emptied properly, since sand traps often represent the only step where polluted stormwater is cleaned before it goes back into nature. After the sand trap has been emptied, the basin is flushed and cleaned, so that it may be used again. The waste is brought to the designated waste site.

How often must sand traps be emptied?
Sand traps should be emptied regularly. Some basins are emptied according to fixed appointments, others when the need arises. No matter the frequency, this can be performed fast and efficiently by a suction and flushing vehicle.

How often a sand trap should be emptied depends on several factors:

• The amount of sand used on roads in wintertime.
• The risk of flooding in the area.
• The location of the basin – whether it is located at the bottom of a hill or on a flat stretch.
• The amount of gravel and sand in the area.
• Traffic density

We have long experience in emptying sand traps, and offer fixed agreements or emptying when needed.