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The primary purpose of a stormwater drain is to prevent flooding by diverting rainwater and melted snow away from streets.
However, stormwater drains can sometimes become blocked for various reasons, which can cause serious problems such as flooding and spreading diseases. If you suspect blocked stormwater drains around your home, timely action is paramount to prevent more severe issues. Unlike clogged drains and blocked toilets, you can’t simply use a drain snake, a drain auger, caustic soda, and another drain cleaner to solve this.
A simple pouring of boiling hot water will also help the clog in the stormwater pipe. You’ll need professional plumbing services to prevent blocked stormwater pipes and unblock stormwater drain infrastructure. Your plumber can use tools and devices such as high-pressure water jetters and CCTV cameras.
But first, you need to learn about the causes and signs of blocked stormwater drains and the best ways of dealing with or unblocking stormwater drain infrastructure. This guide is just what you need to help you unblock stormwater drains or clean your drain. It contains all the essential information to make dealing with a blocked stormwater drain easier.
So, let us begin by learning more about unblocking drains!
Several signs can make it easy for you to detect a blocked stormwater drain, such as:
Since a stormwater drain is designed to handle a large amount of water, the stormwater drainage system will overflow very quickly if it gets blocked. This can lead to various problems, such as:
The intrusion of tree and plant roots is the most common cause of blocked stormwater drains. It generally happens during dry winters, when these roots can enter the drainage system for water. It can take a significant period before they are noticed.
Another common cause of stormwater drain blockage is broken or damaged stormwater pipes. These pipes can break because stormwater drainage is not usually installed very deep into the ground. When vehicles drive over the surface and the ground compacts, it can squash and damage the pipes, reducing the area available for the water to escape.
Environmental debris includes dirt, sand, leaves, sticks, bark, mulch and other similar materials, even tree roots in your stormwater system. Rainwater carries these down to the drains and pipes, where they can pile up and lead to a blockage.
Improperly disposed waste matter from homes can also lead to a blockage of stormwater drains. If the waste keeps lying around, it can easily be carried down to the drains by water.
A stormwater drain can get blocked almost immediately if the pipes are not installed correctly. This generally happens when the pipes are not connected to anything and end on the ground. Alternatively, they may be connected to the sewer, which is illegal. In such cases, professional plumbing experts can help fix the problem.
Preventing a stormwater drain from getting blocked is more accessible than dealing with a blocked one. It also helps save effort and resources and is generally safer. Here are some of the best ways to do so.
Hiring professional drain cleaning services and cleaning your drains at least once every 12 months is highly recommended. These professionals can remove the accumulated materials and debris from the drains, eliminating the chances of repeated blockage.
Avoid doing plumbing installations and maintenance activities yourself since that may lead to an improper installation, resulting in a blocked drain. That’s why it is best to contact professional plumbing services that employ licensed and well-trained plumbers to complete such tasks efficiently and quickly.
Recognising the signs and symptoms of a blocked drain well in time can help you fix the problem quickly before it worsens. Such signs can include property flooding, flooded grates during heavy rainfall, water coming out of the drainpipes and roof gutters and slow water drainage.
The most effective way to prevent blockages is to install grates and guards, which can block leaves and debris from entering the drain. Also, clean them regularly, which will prevent the debris from accumulating. For that purpose, hire professionals who vacuum the gutters at least once a year or as frequently as required.
Planning the property carefully is essential to minimise the chances of stormwater blockages. For instance, if you plan to have trees in the garden, ensure the stormwater drain is located away from them. It will prevent leaves and other materials from falling and getting trapped in the drain.
Paying attention to the various signs mentioned above can go a long way in preventing your stormwater drain from getting blocked. Also, ensuring regular drains cleaning can reduce the chances of such blockages.
However, if you’ve discovered that your stormwater drain is blocked, the first step is to contact professional plumbing experts to get it unclogged. Time is of the essence in such cases, and contacting experts to fix the problem in time can save you a lot of hassle. Reach out to us! From clearing blockages to pipe repairs, you can rely on the Gold Coast Plumbing Company to get you out of your emergency plumbing situation. You can also rely on our Gold Coast plumber and efficient service for your hot water systems maintenance, annual backflow testing, the plumbing for your commercial properties, and other plumbing emergencies.
With that, it is time to conclude this guide. Until next time!
