Storm drains are essential for protecting properties from flooding during heavy rains, but when
they become blocked, they can cause significant damage. Clogged drains lead to water buildup,
which can flood streets, yards, and basements, potentially damaging your property and creating
safety hazards. To prevent this, regular maintenance and proper care of your storm drains are
essential.
In this article, we’ll provide expert advice on how to prevent blockages in storm drains and how
regular cleaning can help avoid flooding and property damage. Let’s take a look at the most
effective strategies for maintaining your storm drainage system in top condition.
1. Understanding the importance of storm drains
Storm drains are designed to carry rainwater away from streets, parking lots, and properties to
prevent flooding. When these drains are functioning properly, they help manage excess water,
preventing pools of water from forming in undesirable places. However, when debris, dirt, and
leaves clog the system, water can’t flow freely, leading to blockages and flooding.
Regular storm drain cleaning is a simple yet effective way to ensure your drainage system is
working as it should. Maintaining your storm drains can help prevent costly repairs, avoid damage
to landscaping, and protect the foundation of your property.
2. Preventing blockages in storm drains
Prevention is always better than having to fix a problem once it’s occurred. Here are some
practical tips to prevent storm drain blockages:
1. Regularly remove debris
One of the most common causes of storm drain blockages is debris such as leaves, twigs, dirt, and
litter. These materials accumulate around the drain openings, especially during the fall and after
storms.
- Inspect storm drain covers: Check storm drains periodically to make sure they are clear of
leaves, dirt, and other debris. If you live in an area with many trees, especially during fall,
clearing the leaves from around your storm drains can prevent serious clogs. - Keep the area around drains clean: Trim nearby bushes, trees, and plants to reduce the
amount of debris that can fall into the drains.
2. Install drain screens or grates
To help prevent debris from entering the storm drain, consider installing drain covers or screens.
These barriers allow water to flow freely but catch large debris, preventing it from entering the
drainage system.
- Mesh screens: A mesh screen or grate placed over the drain opening will prevent larger
debris from falling in while still allowing water to flow. - Cleaning the screens: Make sure to check and clean the screens regularly to ensure water
can pass through without obstruction.
3. Maintain gutters and downspouts
Gutters and downspouts play an important role in carrying rainwater from your roof to the storm
drain system. If gutters are clogged, the water can overflow and cause blockages in the drain
system.
- Clean gutters regularly: Ensure gutters and downspouts are free of leaves, sticks, and
other debris that could cause water to overflow. This helps prevent the water from
running down the side of your house and overwhelming the storm drain. - Check downspout extensions: Make sure that downspouts direct water away from your
foundation and towards the storm drain, ensuring proper drainage.
4. Proper landscaping practices
Landscaping around storm drains can either help or hinder water flow. Ensure that the
surrounding area slopes toward the drain and doesn’t trap water near the opening.
- Grade the landscape: Ensure the ground around your storm drain is graded or sloped
correctly to allow water to flow easily into the drain. - Avoid planting near drains: Planting large bushes or trees too close to the storm drain can
lead to root growth that interferes with water flow. Keep plantings a reasonable distance
away from the drain.
3. How regular cleaning helps avoid flooding and property damage
While prevention is key, regular cleaning and maintenance are also essential to ensure your storm
drain is functioning properly.
Why regular cleaning is important:
- Keeps Water Flowing: A clean storm drain can carry rainwater away efficiently, preventing
flooding in your yard, driveway, or basement. - Reduces the Risk of Property Damage: If a drain is clogged and water backs up, it can lead
to structural damage to your property’s foundation, landscaping damage, and erosion. By
cleaning your drains regularly, you reduce the risk of costly repairs. - Improves Water Quality: Regular cleaning of storm drains helps prevent pollution from
entering rivers and lakes. Clogged drains can trap pollutants like oils, chemicals, and trash
that can eventually make their way into water sources.
How to clean storm drains
While some simple cleaning can be done yourself, it’s important to hire a professional if there’s a
significant buildup of debris or if you’re unable to access hard-to-reach drains.
- DIY Maintenance: For easy-to-reach drains, you can remove debris by hand or use a rake
or broom. Be sure to wear gloves to protect yourself from harmful materials. - Professional Cleaning: For more difficult cleanings, such as blocked pipes or underground
drains, it’s best to call in a professional drain cleaning service. Professionals use
specialized tools like high-pressure water jets to clear blockages deep within the system.
4. Resolving blockages: What to do when a drain Is clogged
If you notice that your storm drain is clogged, it’s crucial to address it immediately to prevent any
major flooding. Here are a few ways to resolve the issue:
- Check the Drain Cover: Sometimes the issue is just a buildup of debris on the surface. If
the cover is removable, try clearing it manually and check if the water drains correctly. - Use a Drain Snake: For smaller blockages in the drain pipe, a drain snake (or auger) can
help dislodge debris and allow water to flow freely. - Hydro Jetting: For more severe blockages, hydro jetting, which uses high-pressure water
to clear the pipes, is an effective solution. A professional drain cleaning service can
provide this service to clear out any tough blockages deep in the system.
5. Conclusion: Keep your storm drains clean to prevent flooding and damage
Prevention is the best way to keep your storm drains functioning properly and avoid the risks of
flooding and property damage. Regular cleaning and maintenance of your storm drains, gutters,
and downspouts, along with the use of drain covers and proper landscaping, can prevent most
blockages.
By staying proactive and maintaining your storm drainage system, you can ensure that rainwater
flows freely, protecting your property from the risks of flooding and damage. When in doubt,
don’t hesitate to contact a professional cleaning service to handle tough blockages and ensure
your storm drain is ready to handle the next heavy rain.
At Quick Clean USA, we offer professional storm drain cleaning services to keep your property safe
from flooding. Our expert team is here to ensure your drainage system is always flowing smoothly,
preventing damage and promoting a cleaner, safer environment.
