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In a thunderstorm, stormwater drains on the curbside take on considerable amounts of water to prevent streets from flooding. When a stormwater drain becomes blocked, it can create chaos in the local area. Blocked stormwater drains are often unavoidable, mainly if the storm has carried leaves and other debris into the drain. However, there are steps you can take to prevent problematic blockages in the future.
How can I prevent stormwater drain blockages?
1. Manually clear out any debris
One of the fastest ways to do preventive maintenance is by clearing out any noticeable debris by hand. Clear out any leaves or rubbish building up near the drain entry as soon as you notice them. Disposing of these organic or inorganic waste by chucking them into the appropriate bins or composters will prevent them from getting washed down the drain and causing blockages.
As trees shed their leaves in the autumn, you will need to be more vigilant about keeping your stormwater drains clear and even raking the nature strip regularly. Leaves tend to gather in gutters and drains, which can happen at an alarming rate if your street has significant, established tree coverage.
Click here to learn more about continuous maintenance tips for stormwater drainage systems on your property.
2. Prevent tree root encroachment
Fallen leaves are not the only part of a tree that can wreak havoc on your stormwater drainage system. Often, the more significant threat comes from the part that isn’t in plain sight – their root systems. You might be surprised to know that roots are far more dangerous.
Tree roots seek out sources of water and nutrients, making a drain pipe the perfect home if they can find their way in. Old or damaged pipes are at risk of being taken over by rogue roots. When it comes to drain blockages, prevention is always better than cure – so start that prevention at the earliest stage by carefully considering which trees you can safely plant.
Many tree varieties, including some popular in Australia, are noted for their ability to destroy underground drains. Do your research and stick to planting suitable trees for your property and drainage system. It will save you much grief in the future.
Read this blog post for more information on which tree varieties to avoid planting on your property.
3. Avoid flushing organic waste or chemicals down your drains
Another tip to prevent stormwater drain blockages is to avoid using the drains to dispose of anything that is not water. Dirt, sticks, chemicals, and more commonly wash down stormwater drains, but they can be quite damaging over time. Gather all organic waste for composting and dispose of any inorganic material by disposing of them via the proper bins.
When it comes to chemicals, consult the manufacturer’s label of your products and your local wastewater disposal facility for guidelines on the proper disposal method. Once chemicals flush down stormwater drains, these substances inevitably flow into the common water supply and can affect the public health of the community and the overall safety of the environment. A common sense approach will help keep stormwater drains in good working condition.
4. Schedule your annual drain clearing
Drainage issues usually do not become evident until it is too late, usually once the stormwater drain is blocked. When it becomes a problem – and inconvenient- the reactionary measure is to call in the drain experts. For this reason, it is best to do some regular preventative maintenance.
Schedule an annual clean of your drain system to prevent future drain blockages. It will spare you much trouble in the long run and prevent other emerging blockages in your system from becoming large enough to affect even your indoor plumbing. An ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure – even with your drains.
Whether you are seeking preventative maintenance or you need professional help to unblock a drain, Sydney Blocked Drains is here to help. You can call us on 1300 403 201 or leave a message through our contact form, and we’ll solve all your drain problems in no time.
