Stormwater drains are the underground system of pipes and channels used to take rainwater away from built-up areas to lakes, wetlands, and rivers. When they become blocked – because of litter, illegal dumping or poorly maintained infrastructure – it can cause severe flooding. 

If you notice there is a blocked stormwater drain in your neighbourhood, there are some instances when you can help resolve it yourself, but it's also important to know when not to. Some blockages are simple and safe to clear with basic tools, while others require professional attention. 

This guide will help you identify when you can take action yourself and how to safely clear minor blockages step by step.

Report before you fix

Have you already tried to report the problem?

If not, click here to learn how to report it.

Already reported and still no luck?

Click here to escalate the issue to your ward councillor.

Communities acting together can make things happen. Click here to discover how.

Still no success? The info below will help you fix it yourself.

DISCLAIMER: Check with your local authority on legal ways to fix problems yourself. Fixlocal cannot take responsibility for any problems that may arise in fixing it yourself.

When to fix it yourself – and when not to

If the stormwater drain is blocked because of severely damaged or poorly maintained infrastructure, for example, a collapsed pipe, extensive tree root damage, or another issue deep underground, you should not try to do it yourself. Signs of this may include water backing up even after you’ve cleared surface litter debris, persistent flooding that won’t drain away, or visible damage around the drain. If you notice water with a foul odour around the drain, it could be sewage, which is hazardous for you to fix yourself. Major repairs done safely require specialised knowledge in plumbing and construction, and professional tools and protective equipment to prevent further damage or health risks. 

If this is the case, keep following up with your municipality and organising your community to get officials to listen to you. Many groups have luck by sending photos of the problem area or meeting with officials and councillors in person at the site of the issue to demonstrate how severe the issue is.  

If the stormwater drain is blocked because of litter, a pile up of leaves or other debris, or illegal dumping, you can fix it yourself. 

How to unblock stormwater drains

1. Deal with the cause of the blockage

Investigate the area around the blocked stormwater drain to figure out why it’s blocked. If there is a lot of litter or illegal dumping nearby, find out more here about how to organise a community clean up or deal with rubbish piles here. If the blockage is caused by debris from fallen trees, find out how to remove it here. 

Prevention is better than cure, so work with your neighbours to keep the areas around the stormwater drains clear, especially ahead of storms.  

2. Clear surface debris from the drain

Using a rake, broom, shovel, and gloves, pull out leaves, plastic, sediment and rubbish from the top of the drain and immediate inlet. Be very careful not to push debris further into the drain. Place waste into buckets and then into heavy bags. Dispose of this rubbish safely, or ask your municipality to fetch it.  

3. Clear the inlet with a drain snake

If you have a drain snake, which is a flexible metal cable designed for unblocking drains, you can use it to break up or pull out blockages. Insert the tool into the blockage and twist it back and forth to loosen and break up clogs. Avoid forcing through if you meet strong resistance, that could mean roots are involved or there is a collapsed section.

4. Make a grabber

You can make a DIY tool for clearing the inlet with a pole thin enough to enter the drain with a wire hook made from a coat hanger on the end. Use it very gently to pull out blockages like plastic bags, bottles, and branches caught in the drain. Be very careful not to force the hook deep into pipes, and stop if you hit something like a pipe bend or collapsed pipe. 

If the grate is easily removable, carefully take it off and replace it when done, but do not force it if it is cemented or welded in. Remember to replace it as you found it afterwards. 

###5. Flush with water

Once the inlet is clear of large debris and everything you could pull out, if possible, use a hose with moderate pressure to flush the channel. Buckets of water are a good second prize if you can’t get a hose to reach the drain. Flushing with water should help to unblock smaller debris. 

Acknowledgements 

Photo: Marshelec via Wikimedia Commons