By otakuyassine3@gmail.com 
Do you have a stormwater drain on your commercial or residential property? If so, then you know that under Australian regulations, the property owner is responsible for its maintenance. That said, it’s essential to point out that keeping your storm drains clean doesn’t have to be a difficult task.
Many property owners rely on the professional drain cleaning Brisbane plumbers offer to keep everything from kitchen sinks to storm drains clean and clog-free. This post takes a closer look at a few essential pointers to help you keep your storm drains clean and well-maintained throughout the year.
Why Have a Storm Drain in the First Place?
You may think that storm drains are only found on the side of the road and are generally used to prevent flooding in streets. While this is true, many Australian property owners choose to install storm drains on their properties if they are in high rainfall areas, have homes at the bottom of a hill or slope, or as a means to limit and even prevent soil erosion.
By installing a storm drain, your local plumber will direct excessive water away from your property and into the local municipal drainage system. This is an effective way to prevent flooding in homes with basements and also prevents water from pooling around foundations.
What Causes Blocked Storm Drains?
Just because storm drains are generally bigger than your usual outdoor residential drain doesn’t mean they are less susceptible to blockages. When it rains, it’s not only water that gets diverted into the drain.
Rather, everything the water can sweep up ends up coming along. This can include organic material such as leaves, mud, and twigs, as well as any garbage that may be lying around. This then builds up in the drain and, over time, creates a blockage. Soil erosion pressure damage is just two of the negative effects of not clearing blockages in your storm drains.
Keep Your Storm Drains Clear
Keeping your storm drains maintained and clean should form part of your seasonal maintenance checklist. We’ve compiled a few simple tips that will help you do this.
1. Perform Regular Inspections
Any type of drain maintenance always begins with regularly inspecting the area in and around the drain for signs of clogs. Water that pools flows over the drain grates or is slow-draining is a clear sign that you may need to call your plumber for assistance.
2. Clear Out the Debris
Debris close to the surface should be removed using a scoop or rake. Be sure to keep leaves, twigs, sand, and any other debris off the drain grates. More severe clogs should be referred to your expert plumber, as these can affect the main storm drain.
If you’re clearing out the drain yourself, always use rubber gloves to prevent bacteria contamination. Speak to your plumber about the right chemicals to use to break down bacteria and mould. Better yet, let the professionals do it for you.
3. Landscape Wisely
Since the storm drain is located on your property, you may be tempted to plant a few shrubs around it so that it doesn’t look unsightly or doesn’t spoil your outdoor aesthetic. However, doing this can increase the likelihood of blockages.
Roots can also grow into the storm drains and damage plumbing pipes. Keep the area around the drain clean and rather place plant pots in the space to improve the aesthetic. This should, however, not block the path of the water flowing into the drain.
4. Schedule Professional Maintenance
Storm drains on your property may be your responsibility, but that doesn’t mean you have to struggle to keep them clean and maintained. Professional plumbers are skilled experts at clearing blockages from drains of all sizes and will know exactly how to keep the area clean.
Plumbers also have specialised tools and machinery to detect the cause and location of the blockage. The good news is that you can arrange a maintenance plan in advance, which means you will have a professional looking after your drain even if you forget.
5. Install Gutter Guards
One of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of debris that flows into your drainage system is to install gutter guards over or under the drain grate. These guards are bigger versions of the barriers you place on your house gutters but serve the same purpose.
If correctly installed, gutter guards will prevent leaves, twigs, and other items from flowing into the drain. Like a giant sieve, these guards only allow water and small particles into the drain. This goes a long way toward reducing potential blockages and also lessens the cleaning that needs to be done during maintenance.
Takeaways
Storm drains are an integral part of local infrastructures and, if maintained, will manage heavy rainfalls and prevent localised flooding. Improper maintenance can cause drains to become blocked, which can lead to damage to the rest of the plumbing system. Regular inspections, clearing debris, and proper landscaping will go a long way toward keeping your drains clean. Speak to your local plumber for assistance!
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