How to Unclog Your Storm Drains

Jerome Sabol • April 8, 2022

Are you familiar with all of the aspects of plumbing that you need to maintain at your home or business? When was the last time you had access to a Master Plumber who could assess the condition of your home plumbing? There are many pipes or drains that need routine cleaning to function properly. They can become clogged which causes them to drain slowly or not at all. This includes your home or office’s storm drains.

storm drain

What are storm drains?

A storm drain is built into the ground to help water from weather and events such as rain, snow, or flooding drain safely and quickly into the ground or sewer system. Standing water can become problematic for several reasons, including attracting bugs, causing mold and mildew, flooding, and other safety issues for pedestrians or drivers if water gets too high. This is why it is common to find storm drains on roads, driveways, parking spaces, paved footpaths, sidewalks, and some roofs.


How does a storm drain become clogged?

Storm drains often get clogged without notice until the water backs up during heavy rain. If water drains slowly or not at all after heavy rain, that means your storm drain is at least partially clogged. Since storms cause leaves and branches to fall from trees, the same debris can make its way to your storm drain. Leaves, sticks, roadside dirt, garden stones, and sometimes loose trash typically clog storm drains by getting lodged or building up on the sides.



Consequences of Clogged Storm Drains

If completely clogged, storm drains can result in flooding your home, garage, or yard. Both commercial and residential buildings can also become damaged due to improperly draining water from a clogged storm drain. Storm drain backups can cause erosion of soil and sediment into lakes and reservoirs, killing fish and other animals. If the drain is on your property, you are responsible for maintaining it in most cases. It's easy to prevent storm drain issues with regular cleaning, repair, and maintenance.

clean storm drain before its too late

The Best Way to Unclog Your Drains

You can try unclogging your storm drain by yourself, but usually, these drains are too big for the average home or business owner to perform proper storm drain cleaning. Unless you or your maintenance worker is trained in plumbing or residential and commercial storm drain cleaning, you're better off hiring a professional. A Master Plumber has the experience to inspect, clean, and repair your storm drain with efficiency and effectiveness.


Regular Storm Drain Inspection

Even though storm drains are built to withstand the wear and tear that water and debris can cause, they still degrade over time. Many storm drains are older than you think and it's important to regularly inspect them. A professional storm drain cleaning service has equipment specifically designed to look into drains for any areas that need repair. Sometimes they find that plants have become rooted in the drain, or cracks are starting to develop. Like other maintenance issues, storm drains stay in good condition longer with regular inspections.


Storm Drain Repairs

If your inspection turns up repair issues, those need to be taken care of as soon as possible. Broken or cracked drain walls, debris lodged and blocking water flow, and dirt buildup along drain walls can all become serious issues without proper repair. These kinds of plumbing repairs can typically only be handled by a trained professional.


Choose Plumb Works for Professional Storm Drain Cleaning

If you live or work in the greater Atlanta area, Plumb Works is the top company for professional drain cleaning. The team of professional plumbers at Plumb Works has 30+ years of experience and will inspect your drain, clean it, and look for any issues that need repairs.


No one wants the consequences of a blocked storm or sewer drain. Besides the flooding, it can cause mold or leakage. If you have storm drains at your commercial building and are looking for hydrojetting near me, Plumb Works will get your drains cleaned so you don't have to worry about safety issues for your customers. Trust Plumb Works with your commercial plumbing needs so your company doesn't experience any unnecessary downtime.


Are You Ready for Residential Storm Drain Cleaning?

Plumb Works is ready to take care of your storm drains and any other residential plumbing issues you have in your house. Our team will be happy to inspect your plumbing and give you an assessment as to the condition of your pipes and drains. All of our plumbers are trained professionals who work closely with our customers to provide high-quality plumbing services. Call us today for more information at 404-524-1825 or  contact us online.


storm drain
March 23, 2026
Being proactive remains a key element of a successful business, and it certainly holds true when preparing for the possible devastating effects of stormy season. Spring remains one of the Atlanta area’s rainiest times of the year. According to Weather Spark, the average monthly rainfall from March through May ranges from 3 to 4.6 inches. Heavy spring storms can rain hard on a commercial facility. If unprepared, it can potentially lead to serious problems, causing everything from business downtime to costly repercussions. The following are several heavy rain-related issues that can cast a dark cloud on a commercial building and how to avoid them. Sump Pump: Fighting the Flood When it comes to flooding, stormwater remains a dreaded culprit. Having a properly functioning sump pump can help proactively help fight a flood. A sump pump collects groundwater from around a building’s foundation and pumps it away from the structure, deterring damage. Plumb Works suggests all businesses have one, especially those with a crawlspace or basement. Consult the experts at Plumb Works for sump pump installation, replacement, and preventative maintenance. Protection from Sewer Backups Heavy rains can overload a city’s sewer system. Backwater valves, a specific type of backflow prevention device, protect businesses from sewer backups by allowing wastewater out, but automatically closing to keep sewage from flowing backward. Plumb Works can install, test, and make sure your backwater valve is working properly. The Importance of Storm Drains Commercial storm drains are equipped to drain excess rain and groundwater from the areas surrounding a business, such as parking lots and sidewalks, preventing flooding, damages, and unsafe conditions. Some storm drain systems include a catch basin, which captures stormwater and separates any debris that may have come along with it. Having Plumb Works inspect, clean, and repair storm drains and catch basins can help businesses avoid a flood of unwanted costs. Cutting Out Grease Commercial kitchens require a grease trap, which keeps the plumbing system from being impacted by an overload of grease. If a grease trap isn’t functioning properly, it can have an adverse effect on a plumbing system during heavy rain. Too much grease limits pipe capacity, which can cause heavy rain to overwhelm a system, leading to backups. To avoid this, consult a plumbing professional company like Plumb Works that specializes in grease trap services. Avoiding Clogged Drains Plumbing systems in commercial facilities often fall prey to clogged pipes due to unwanted items being flushed or disposed of down drains. This can further complicate things when a mass amount of rain overwhelms a plumbing system. Businesses experiencing frequent clogs can benefit from hydro jetting. The most effective drain-cleaning solution available, hydro jetting uses high-pressure water jets to blast through clogged drains and restore peak plumbing performance. Schedule hydro jetting in advance of the rainy season to make sure pipes are functioning at their best under any possible pressure. Plumb Works Can Help Protect Your Business During Rainy Season Don’t let your business get washed away due to flooding and sewer backup challenges during the rainy season. Lean on a Plumb Works expert by calling 404-524-1825 or scheduling an appointment online.
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