In this guide
Fast answer
The short answer
To get Sydney drains storm-ready, clear leaves and silt from surface pits and grates, flush gutters and downpipes, and check that stormwater lines run freely away from the house. If a pit holds water long after rain, or you saw flooding last storm, a CCTV inspection finds the cause before clearing so the line is actually fixed, not just topped up.
Start at the surface: pits, grates and gutters
Walk the property at ground level and remove loose leaves, sediment and rubbish from safely accessible grates and pit inlets. Do not enter pits, climb onto roofs or work near electricity. Note any downpipe connection or surface inlet that backs up during a controlled ground-level check.
If a clean inlet still holds water, the restriction may be further along the private line or the discharge system may be over capacity, so do not assume the grate is the only issue.
What we check underground before clearing
If safe surface clearing does not restore drainage, silt, roots, damage, displacement or a capacity issue may be involved. Where the line is accessible and passable, CCTV can record its condition before a repair decision. The inspection work depends on access, camera travel and the details needed.
Footage may support jetting, a targeted repair, relining assessment or referral to the right authority, but it does not guarantee performance in every future storm.
Clearing stormwater lines and pits the right way
High-pressure water jetting may suit an accessible stormwater line affected by silt, leaf matter or root growth that can be cleared safely. The nozzle and pressure must match the pipe and downstream discharge. The job depends on the available pits and access, line length, material to be removed, pipe condition and whether CCTV is needed before or after clearing.
A follow-up camera pass can check the accessible cleaned section and record damage that clearing alone cannot correct.
Warning signs and when to call before the next storm
Arrange a dry-weather assessment if an accessible pit drains slowly, water previously pooled near the building, or a downpipe connection backs up during rain. These observations can indicate a restriction but do not prove the location of the problem. Blocked Drains Sydney provides 24-hour phone contact across Sydney.
Call the NSW SES on 132 500 for flood emergency assistance, and keep clear of fast-moving water and electrical areas.
Talk to a Sydney drain specialist
If a drain is blocked now, call Scott and describe what is backing up, where the property is and whether water is still rising. For a non-urgent problem, send the details for a call back.
Request drain helpCommon questions
When should I prepare my drains for Sydney storm season?
Ideally before the wetter months and ahead of any forecast heavy rain. Clearing pits, gutters and downpipes on a dry day is far easier than during a downpour, and it gives you time to book underground work if a stormwater line turns out to be slow or blocked.
What is the difference between a blocked gutter and a blocked stormwater line?
A gutter or accessible inlet can be restricted by visible surface debris. If clean inlets still hold water, the issue may be further along a private line, at the discharge point or in a system that is over capacity. The next step depends on safe access and may include CCTV, clearing or an authority referral.
Do you inspect drains before clearing them?
The line and access are assessed first. If a blockage prevents the camera travelling, enough clearing may be needed before CCTV can record the cause and condition. repair advice follows what the inspection shows rather than a promise about the next storm.