Storm Drain Management

Control water where it moves, before it controls your property

Stormwater does not need a catastrophe to create expensive damage. It only needs a predictable path and a weak point. When storm drains, catch basins, yard inlets, and underground storm piping are not moving water correctly, the result is rarely dramatic on day one. It shows up as nuisance flooding, ponding that never fully dries, icy patches in winter, erosion near driveways and walkways, saturated lawns, and water that keeps finding its way into basements and low spots. Storm drain management is the discipline of keeping water moving where it is designed to go, at the rate it needs to move, while preventing backups, collapse, and long-term soil and surface damage.

This service matters because storm systems are not just “drains.” They are a network. One clogged inlet can overload the next. One collapsed section can force water to rise to the surface. One poorly graded area can turn ordinary rain into recurring property disruption. Good storm drain management prevents those chain reactions and keeps your site functional year-round.

When customers call for storm drain management

Most calls start with recurring patterns that are too consistent to ignore. You might notice water pooling in the same spot after every storm, or a driveway that becomes a river during heavy rain. You might see a catch basin that fills and sits, instead of draining down quickly. You might have water pushing back toward a garage, a loading bay, or a building entrance. In commercial settings, the triggers are often operational. Flooded parking areas, water near entrances, ice formation in winter, and complaints from tenants or customers. In residential settings, it is often the same issues but closer to home. A soggy yard, water near the foundation, basement moisture, or a low area that stays wet long after a storm passes.

Another common reason people call is after a “cleaning” that did not solve the problem. If someone snaked a drain and it helped for a week, then the flooding returned, that usually means the restriction is not where they treated it, or the problem is structural. Storm lines can develop sags, separations, crushed sections, and blockages from sediment. They can also back up because the outlet is submerged, blocked, or damaged. Management is about diagnosing the system behavior, not just clearing a single point.

Property owners also pursue storm drain management proactively when they are planning paving, construction, or landscaping changes. If you change the slope, add impervious surface, or redirect runoff, your storm system must be able to handle the new flow. A small change in drainage can create a large change in flooding.

Why storm drainage systems fail

Storm systems fail for predictable reasons, and the failure mode determines the correct fix.

Sediment and debris accumulation is one of the most common causes. Leaves, silt, grit, and trash collect in catch basins and storm piping. Over time, the system loses capacity and starts to behave like a bottleneck. Another major cause is collapse or crushing, especially with older piping, shallow installations, or heavy vehicle loads above. Even partial collapse can reduce diameter enough to cause recurring backups. Joint separation is also common. When sections shift, they create lips that catch debris and reduce flow. Roots can invade storm lines too, especially where joints are leaking and nearby vegetation is searching for moisture.

Grade is another critical factor. Storm piping relies on slope. A belly in the line creates a standing-water section that traps sediment, which accelerates clogging and odor. Outlet problems are also frequent. If the outlet is blocked, buried, eroded, or submerged, the entire line can back up. Finally, site changes often create drainage problems. When new paving, grading, or landscaping alters runoff patterns, an existing system that once worked fine can become undersized or misrouted for the new flow.

What storm drain management actually includes

Storm drain management is not one service. It is a set of actions designed to keep stormwater infrastructure functioning.

It includes assessment of how water behaves on the surface and how it behaves inside the system. It often includes cleaning and maintenance of catch basins, inlets, and lines to restore capacity. It includes inspection and verification when problems keep returning, because recurring flooding usually has a structural or grading component. It also includes repairs when parts of the system are broken, shifted, or collapsed. In some cases it includes new drainage solutions, such as adding inlets, rerouting lines, or upgrading capacity to match real-world runoff.

The goal is not just to remove water from one spot. The goal is to move water through the system reliably so it does not reappear somewhere else.

Storm drain management options and solutions

Every property is different, but storm drain work usually falls into a handful of solution categories.

1) Catch basin and inlet cleaning and maintenance

Catch basins and yard inlets are collection points. They are designed to trap debris and sediment before it enters the storm line, which means they require maintenance. Cleaning restores capacity and reduces the risk of line blockages. It is often the fastest way to improve performance when the issue is recurring ponding near a basin or slow drawdown after storms.

2) Storm line cleaning and clearing

When storm lines clog, the symptom is often standing water at inlets or water pushing to the surface along the route. Clearing restores flow, but the key is understanding what caused the clog. If the line is collecting sediment because of a belly, clearing will be temporary. If the line is blocked by roots or debris due to joint issues, clearing helps but should be paired with a long-term plan.

3) Inspection and diagnostics for recurring flooding

When problems return, inspection is the smartest investment. The system needs to be evaluated for broken joints, offset sections, bellies, crushed pipe, or outlet blockage. The value of inspection is that it identifies the failure point and prevents the cycle of repeated cleanings. It also helps plan repairs precisely, which reduces excavation footprint and restoration cost.

4) Targeted storm drain repairs

If a storm line has a localized failure, spot repair can restore function. This is common when a section is crushed under a driveway, a joint is separated, or a connection at an inlet is damaged. Targeted repair replaces the failed segment and re-establishes proper alignment and slope. This approach is often cost-effective when the rest of the system is in reasonable condition.

5) Pipe replacement or upgrades where the system is failing

Sometimes the system is beyond maintenance. If the line has multiple failures, widespread deterioration, or chronic capacity issues, replacement or upgrade can be the smartest long-term solution. Upgrades can include replacing undersized sections, correcting slope, or rerouting to a more reliable outlet. The purpose is to create a system that functions during real storms, not just light rain.

6) Adding new drainage components to fix site-level problems

Some flooding problems are not caused by a broken pipe. They are caused by an insufficient drainage plan. Adding a new inlet, installing additional collection points, rerouting runoff, or connecting to a better discharge path can solve persistent ponding that never had a true solution. This is especially relevant for properties that have changed over time, such as new paving, new landscaping, or added structures that alter drainage.

7) Outlet stabilization and erosion control

A storm system is only as good as its discharge point. If the outlet is blocked, undermined, or eroding the surrounding soil, the system will back up or cause property damage downstream. Stabilizing outlets and ensuring reliable discharge is a core part of storm drain management and one of the most overlooked causes of recurring issues.

Why storm drain management saves money

Stormwater damage is expensive because it affects everything around the pipe. Water undermines asphalt and concrete. It saturates soil and causes settlement. It creates ice hazards. It increases basement moisture and mold risk. It damages landscaping and structures. Most of those costs are not the storm pipe itself. They are the consequences of uncontrolled water.

A well-maintained and properly functioning storm system prevents those downstream costs. It also reduces emergency calls during storms, because the system behaves predictably. It is one of the highest leverage maintenance investments for property owners, especially commercial sites where liability and operations are directly impacted by water and ice.

What affects cost and timeline

Storm drain work cost depends on access, depth, and whether the issue is maintenance or structural. Cleaning and maintenance is usually straightforward. Repairs are more variable because they depend on where the failure is located and what surfaces are above it. A repair in a lawn is different from a repair under a driveway or parking lot. The complexity of the network matters too. Multiple inlets, long runs, and complex tie-ins can require more evaluation and planning. Permits and coordination may be relevant if work affects public right-of-way, road edges, or municipal infrastructure.

Timeline is usually favorable when problems are addressed early. The longer a system backs up and saturates soil, the more likely you are to see secondary issues like erosion and settlement that add scope.

What you can expect when you work with us

We treat storm drain management like infrastructure, not housekeeping. We focus on restoring capacity, confirming where the system is failing when issues recur, and delivering repairs that prevent repeat flooding. We keep the approach practical. Fix the cause, protect the site, and make water behave predictably. The work should be clean, controlled, and designed to perform through real storms, not just in good weather.

Storm drain management FAQs

Is storm drain cleaning enough to solve flooding
Sometimes, especially when the issue is debris and sediment buildup at inlets or in a line. If flooding returns quickly, the system likely has a structural issue or grade problem that needs repair.

Why does my catch basin fill up and stay full
That often means the downstream line is restricted, has a belly, or the outlet is blocked. The basin is doing its job as a collection point, but the system is not discharging properly.

Can you fix ponding that happens in the same spot every storm
Yes, but the correct fix depends on whether the ponding is caused by a clogged system, a broken line, inadequate inlet capacity, or site grading that directs water to a low point without adequate collection.

Do storm drain problems get worse over time
Yes. Standing water increases sediment buildup, encourages root intrusion, and saturates soil. That leads to erosion, settlement, and more frequent flooding.

Get stormwater under control before the next big rain

If your property floods, ponds, or develops recurring wet areas after storms, storm drain management is the professional way to fix the cause and restore predictable drainage. We can evaluate how water is moving on your site, identify restrictions or failures in the storm network, and outline the options that make the most sense for a durable result.

Call now or request an estimate for storm drain management.