Before you book
What you need to know.
- Stormwater carries rainfall and is separate from wastewater plumbing.
- Pooling can reflect a blocked pipe, a damaged line or a surface-drainage problem.
- Clearing a restriction doesn't prove the pipe or discharge arrangement is sound.
- Keep out of pits and floodwater; provide observations from a safe place.
On this page
Separate the rainwater problem from a sewer problem.
Stormwater drains collect rain from roofs, driveways and other surfaces. Sewer drains carry wastewater from plumbing fixtures. A problem appearing during rain may involve stormwater, but appearance alone doesn't confirm the system. Explain which outlet, downpipe or surface area is affected and whether toilets or internal drains also behave differently.
Hornsby's terrain can make the route of runoff important. Water collecting at a low point may need an assessment of surface levels as well as underground drainage. Scott & Sons provides stormwater and drainage services; the first task is to identify which part of the route isn't working as intended.
Use the pattern to narrow the investigation.
Note whether water appears at the start of rainfall or only after a sustained downpour. A single backed-up downpipe, several overflowing pits and runoff crossing paving suggest different questions. Photographs taken safely during an earlier event can be helpful when the ground is dry at the appointment.
Include recent landscaping, new paving, extensions and previous drain repairs in the brief. These can change runoff or access without proving they're the cause. The assessment should establish where water enters, where it should discharge and what is known about the connecting pipework.
Scroll sideways to read every column.
| Symptom | What needs checking |
|---|---|
| 1 downpipe backs up | Its connection and downstream line |
| Several collection points overflow | Shared drainage and receiving outlet |
| Water crosses paving but drains stay clear | Surface levels, collection and runoff route |
| A previously cleared line blocks again | Remaining debris, damage or continuing entry |
| Neighbouring runoff reaches the property | Source, concentration and site drainage context |
Clearing and inspecting have different purposes.
Removing a blockage restores a route for water, but it doesn't necessarily establish the condition of the pipe. Scott & Sons provides water jetting and CCTV drainage inspection. These can be discussed where access and the drain's condition make them appropriate.
An inspection should explain what could be seen, which section was reached and what remains uncertain. If a camera can't pass an obstruction, the unseen line hasn't been assessed. Where clearance is successful, recurrent trouble may still justify checking for damage or an arrangement that allows debris to collect repeatedly.
Repair the fault or improve the drainage layout.
A damaged section can need repair even after flow is restored. If the pipe is sound but water doesn't reach the collection point, more cleaning won't correct the surface route. Additional collection, altered connections or a design assessment may need consideration, depending on the property and approved discharge arrangements.
Don't connect stormwater to sewer plumbing or divert it towards another property as a quick solution. For complex runoff or inter-property issues, a hydraulic engineer may be needed alongside the plumber. Hornsby Council distinguishes private drainage problems from council infrastructure and explains where to direct each enquiry.
What affects investigation and repair cost.
The route length, available access, blockage location and condition of the line influence the work. Excavation under paving, a driveway or landscaping adds different reinstatement requirements. Where the system isn't documented, establishing where it goes may be a necessary part of the investigation.
Compare the proposed outcome: clearance, inspection, local repair and redesign aren't equivalent quotes. Ask which line and discharge point are included, whether findings will be recorded and how further work is authorised. Identify excavation, spoil removal and surface repairs separately so the complete project is understood before a repair opening is made.
Prepare access without entering drainage spaces.
Provide drainage plans, previous camera reports and a description of which areas flood. Identify visible collection points from a safe position and explain access restrictions such as gates, parked vehicles or shared areas. Don't lift heavy covers, enter pits or investigate flooded spaces.
Keep leaves, soil and waste out of stormwater drains during ordinary property use, and retain any maintenance recommendations after the repair. For emergency flood or storm assistance, call the NSW SES on 132 500. Call 000 for immediate danger. A planned plumbing assessment can follow once safe access and the immediate conditions are resolved.
Map the observed route
Describe where rainwater collects, backs up and leaves the property.
Agree investigation
Confirm access and whether clearing, inspection or a drainage-design assessment is needed.
Choose the remedial work
Match the repair to the identified pipe or surface-water problem.
Record the outcome
Keep route information, findings and any ongoing maintenance needs.