Sydney has been blessed with above average rainfall this summer, a stark yet welcome contrast to the bushfire season last year. Storms and heavy rainfall, however, carry a different set of risks for homeowners such as falling trees, power outages and possible flooding. When stormwater drains are damaged or clogged the issue often goes undetected until a downpour causes the drains to overflow and flood the property.
What causes blocked stormwater drains?
Stormwater drain pipes are located underground making them susceptible to blockages from tree roots. Tree roots are attracted to the moisture and minerals inside stormwater of pipes. Tree roots seek out weak points in the pipe, entering through loose joints and tiny cracks. They can widen the weak point as they grow larger in the pipes. In extreme instances, tree roots can completely fill the pipes for many metres.
A long mass of tree roots and dirt that was pulled from a clogged stormwater drain by JAB Plumbing Solutions.
Another cause of clogged stormwater drains is gradual changes that occur in the soil surrounding it. Different soils change more than others. For example, changes in soil moisture are more likely to cause changes and shift in clay based soils than sand based soils. Gradual erosion of the soil surrounding a pipe can also impact the stormwater system, resulting in sagging or collapsed stormwater drains.
The water collected on roofs and in gutters gets washed down the stormwater drain. If gutters aren’t cleaned regularly leaves and sediment can wash into the stormwater drain. Garden debris can also wash down stormwater grates. An accumulation of leaves, sticks and debris can cause clogged stormwater drains.
How to prepare your stormwater drain pipes for the rainy season
Blocked stormwater drains should be avoided at all costs because they can cause extensive damage to your home. If the rainwater from a heavy downpour is not being safely transported away from your home via the stormwater system, all this water could flood your property. This can lead to erosion, water damage or rising damp and mould issues. Here are some things you can do to help maintain the health of your stormwater drains so they continue to function effectively.
Clean the gutters and maintain the yard
As mentioned, garden debris and leaves washed down from the gutters is one common cause of clogged stormwater drains. Removing the debris before it can be washed down into the stormwater system is a step homeowners can do right away to minimise the risk of a clog.
Clean out the gutters regularly, particularly if there are trees near the house that lose a lot of leaves
Remove sticks and debris from around stormwater grates
Rake up any residual grass clipping when you mow and sweep up leaves.
It’s not just organic matter than can end up in stormwater drains. Plenty of litter and plastic can be washed into the stormwater drains if it’s left lying around.
Plant trees away from stormwater pipes
If you are planting new shrubs and trees around the garden, ensure that you plant them well away from stormwater and sewer pipes. You can also opt for plants that have less aggressive root systems.
Hire a plumber to perform a CCTV inspection of the pipes
The quickest way to determine any damaged pipes or potential future blockages is to get a local plumber to perform a CCTV drain inspection of the stormwater pipes. A small camera is inserted into an access point and high-resolution video footage of the pipe interior is transmitted back to a monitor operated by the plumber. This inspection will uncover any tree root intrusion, cracked pipes, dislodged pipes, sagging pipes and any accumulation of debris that could end up as a blockage.
High-pressure drain cleaning using a jet blaster
Depending on what the CCTV pipe inspection uncovers, you may decide to get the pipes cleaned. Jet blasting can effectively remove leaves, sediment, dirt, sand and other debris that is in the pipes. It can also blast through minor tree root intrusions. Roots will eventually grow back if the entry point isn’t repaired. However, annual jet blasting is normally sufficient to remove tree roots before they turn into a big issue.
