Public Works Drainage & Grate Replacement

Q: How do I match a replacement grate to an existing frame?

Measure the clear opening (length and width, or diameter for round grates), the grate thickness, and the seat or lip of the existing frame, and note the material of the original casting. Send those dimensions with a photo through our quote form and we will match a current production grate to the frame or propose the closest compatible frame-and-grate set.

Q: What load class do street and roadway inlets need?

Surfaces trafficked by trucks are typically Class C or Class D, the classes that meet the AASHTO H-20 wheel-load standard. Pedestrian rights-of-way can use Class A or B. Our Load Class Recommendation Guide maps each class to its tested capacity and materials.

Q: Can you quote from plan sheets or a spec section?

Yes. Attach the drainage schedule, detail sheets, or the relevant spec section to a quote request and we will take off the castings, channel, and basin components and return line-item pricing.

Drainage by Application · Municipal Works

Broken castings, missing grates, and inlets that no longer match anything in the supply room. Here is how public works departments source rated replacement grates, catch basins, and streetscape trench drain — without waiting a season for a foundry order.

The maintenance reality

Most municipal drainage work is not new construction — it is keeping what exists safe. A cracked grate over a live inlet is an open liability on a public street, a stolen casting leaves a hole a bicycle wheel fits into, and decades of piecemeal installs mean the frame in the ground rarely matches a current catalog number. Crews need replacements that carry the right load rating, sit flush in the existing frame, and arrive fast enough that the cone-and-plywood fix does not become permanent. Procurement needs the same items documented well enough to survive an audit.

Load classes on public rights-of-way

Streets and any surface trucks cross call for Class C or D — the classes that meet the AASHTO H-20 wheel-load standard. Sidewalks, plazas, and park paths can use Class A or B, provided vehicles are genuinely excluded. When in doubt, rate for the heaviest vehicle that can physically reach the grate; our Load Class Recommendation Guide maps each class to tested capacity and material. Grates in pedestrian rights-of-way must also meet accessibility rules — see the ADA drainage guide.

Recommended systems

Replacement grates — cast & ductile iron

Our metal grate catalog covers cast iron and ductile iron in round and square formats. To match an existing frame, measure the clear opening, grate thickness, and seat — then order direct or send the dimensions and a photo for a match.

Municipal castings to spec Quote line

For DOT-standard and municipal-standard castings — curb inlets, frames, and heavy-format grates — we quote EJ and U.S. Foundry product against your spec section or standard drawing number. Request a quote with the drawing or designation and we will return line-item pricing.

Catch basins & inlets

For collection points in parks, medians, and easements, stocked catch basins in round and square formats — with matching grates, outlets, and adapters — replace deteriorated inlets without pouring a structure. Basin kits bundle the pieces for one-truck-roll swaps.

Streetscape trench drain Quote line

Where a curb inlet cannot work — alleys, plazas, crosswalk aprons, transit stops — linear trench drain intercepts sheet flow across the full width. ACO PowerDrain handles vehicular streetscape duty, and BG Filcoten fiber-reinforced concrete channels suit exposed public installs. Both are quoted per project.

Catch basin installed in the ground with grate at grade — Catch basin set at grade — the standard repair for a failed municipal inlet.

Ordering tip: photograph the failed casting in place before removal — frame, seat, and surrounding surface. A photo plus three measurements resolves most match questions in one email.

Supporting resources

Load Class Recommendation Guide — A through F, with H-20 equivalents
ADA-compliant drainage design guide — grate rules for pedestrian rights-of-way
Sizing for storms: estimating runoff — for inlet and basin capacity checks
Drainage FAQs & resources hub

Frequently asked questions

How do I match a replacement grate to an existing frame?

Measure the clear opening (length and width, or diameter), the grate thickness, and the seat of the frame, note the original material, and send it all with a photo via the quote form. We will match a current grate or propose the closest frame-and-grate set.

What load class do street and roadway inlets need?

Truck-trafficked surfaces are typically Class C or D — the H-20-rated classes. Pedestrian rights-of-way can use Class A or B. See the load guide for capacities and materials.

Can you quote from plan sheets or a spec section?

Yes — attach the drainage schedule or spec section to a quote request and we will take off the castings and components and return line-item pricing.