Preparing Your Property for a Storm Drain Service Visit

Information That Helps Us Schedule the Right Service

A storm drain service visit starts with the information you provide when you schedule it. The more our dispatch team understands about the system, the more accurately we can prepare the right equipment and the right crew.

Useful details include the signs you are seeing, which areas are affected, and whether the problem is in one catch basin or spread across the property. If the signs include a flood during a storm, tell us, since it may require an urgent response. If the property has access constraints, such as a busy parking lot or a locked gate, mention them so we can plan the right equipment and the right time.

Preparing the Property

A storm drain service may involve a vacuum truck and a water jetter, and a few preparations help the visit go smoothly.

• Coordinate with the property to barricade the parking spaces adjacent to the storm grates during the cleaning window, so the vacuum truck can position safely
• Clear the area around the catch basins and the culverts, including any debris or landscaping that could obstruct access
• Inform the staff or the tenants about the visit so they can avoid parking over the grates during the service
• If the work requires a camera inspection, ensure the catch basins are accessible for the camera equipment
• For a culvert repair, plan for the crew to need space for equipment and material, and coordinate any excavation with the property
• Keep people away from the catch basins and the culverts during the service, which can be a confined space hazard

What Happens During the Service

A storm drain service follows a general sequence, though the details depend on the system. Understanding the stages helps you know what to expect and what to ask.

We begin by confirming the signs with the property manager and inspecting the catch basins and the culverts. For a cleaning, that includes vacuum-pumping the catch basins to remove the silt and the debris, and water jetting the culverts to flush the pipes. For a camera inspection, we insert a high-definition camera to see the interior of the pipe and identify any structural problems.

For a repair, we coordinate the excavation or the trenchless lining, the permit if required, and the inspection. We then test the system to confirm it is draining as it should, clean up the work area, and explain any recommendations for the system. Throughout the visit, we explain what we are doing and answer any questions.

Questions Worth Asking Before Work Begins

Before the service starts, a few questions help the property manager understand the work and what to expect afterward.

• What is causing the problem, and what is included in the service?
• Are there other options, and what are the tradeoffs?
• How long will the work take, and will the parking lot be affected during that time?
• What documentation will we receive, such as a service report or a camera inspection video?
• Is there maintenance that would prevent this problem from returning?
• When should the next cleaning be scheduled before the rainy season?

Keeping the System Flowing Between Services

Between services, a few habits keep the storm system flowing and prevent the next clog. Keep the catch basins clear of surface debris, such as leaves and trash, which can be swept into the basin during a rain. Avoid putting anything down the storm grates other than rainwater, since the system is not designed to handle other materials. Watch for the signs of a clog, such as water pooling after a rain, and call if a problem appears.

Follow the cleaning schedule we recommend, based on the property and the rainy season. A storm drain that is cleaned before the rainy season has the capacity to handle the rain, which prevents the flooding that follows neglect. We help you set up a schedule that keeps the system flowing.

Maintenance Agreements for Ongoing Care

For commercial properties that benefit from routine maintenance, a maintenance agreement is often the most efficient way to keep the storm system flowing. The agreement covers the regular cleaning the property needs at a predictable interval, such as before the rainy season and after major storms. It prevents the floods that disrupt the property and the structural damage that follows neglect.

We offer maintenance agreements tailored to the property and the storm system. The agreement covers the right service at the right interval, and it gives the property manager a single point of contact for the storm drain maintenance the property needs. For a property that cannot afford a flood during the rainy season, the agreement is often the best value.

When to Call Us Again

After a service, contact us if the signs return, if new signs appear, or if the system is not flowing as expected. A cleaned storm drain should handle the rain as it should, and an early call is easier to resolve than a delayed one. For any sign of a flood, especially during a storm, call right away.

All Counties Plumbing serves commercial properties across our confirmed Miami-Dade and Broward territory. Call (305) 303-0920 or submit a service request through our contact page to schedule a storm drain service or to report an active issue.