Stormwater drains protect your property from flooding. When they fail, the consequences are immediate and expensive.
Your stormwater system is separate from your sewer system. It collects rainwater from your roof (via gutters and downpipes) and property surfaces (driveways, paths, yards) and directs it to the street drainage system or a designated discharge point. Unlike sewer, stormwater is not treated — it flows directly to waterways.
A typical residential stormwater system includes: roof gutters and downpipes, surface drainage grates, underground PVC or concrete pipes, stormwater pits (junction boxes), and connection to council infrastructure at the property boundary.
The most frequent causes of stormwater drain blockages are: tree root intrusion (roots enter through joints and grow inside the pipe), leaf and debris accumulation (particularly in autumn and after storms), sediment and silt build-up (soil washing into pits over time), collapsed or broken pipes (from ground movement, age, or vehicle loading), and foreign objects (children's toys, garden materials, construction debris).
Properties with large trees within 5 metres of stormwater lines are at highest risk of root intrusion. Eucalyptus, fig, and willow species are particularly aggressive root growers.
Warning signs include: water pooling in the yard after rain (where it previously drained), water backing up from floor drains or grates during rain, overflowing stormwater pits, water running across the driveway or path instead of draining underground, and subsidence or soft spots in the lawn above the pipe run.
If you notice any of these signs, address the issue before the next heavy rain. A partially blocked stormwater drain during a storm event will cause flooding that a clear drain would have handled easily.
Regular maintenance prevents most stormwater blockages: clear stormwater pit lids of debris quarterly (monthly in autumn), flush downpipes with a hose annually to confirm flow, install leaf guards on gutter outlets and pit grates, trim tree roots that are approaching stormwater lines (a CCTV inspection identifies this), and avoid directing garden soil, mulch, or construction materials toward stormwater inlets.
For properties with known root intrusion issues, scheduled hydro-jetting every 12–18 months keeps roots manageable and prevents complete blockages.
When prevention is not enough, professional solutions include: high-pressure hydro-jetting to clear roots and debris, CCTV inspection to identify the exact location and cause of blockages, pipe relining to seal joints against future root entry, pit cleaning and sediment removal, and pipe replacement for collapsed or severely damaged sections.
We recommend a CCTV inspection as the first step for any stormwater issue — it identifies the problem precisely and ensures the repair method matches the actual condition.
You are responsible for all stormwater infrastructure within your property boundary. Council is responsible for the street drainage system and the connection point at your boundary.
Every 2–3 years for properties without trees near the lines. Annually for properties with large trees within 5 metres of stormwater pipes.
Roots can be cut and jetted out, but they will regrow unless the entry point is sealed. Pipe relining seals all joints and prevents future root entry permanently.
Stormwater carries rainwater and discharges to waterways untreated. Sewer carries wastewater from toilets, sinks, and showers to a treatment plant. They are separate systems and must never be cross-connected.
Book a Stormwater Drain Inspection
Prevent flooding before the next storm hits.