Maintenance Tips For Storm Drain Cleaning Charleston, SC Residents Should Know About

Designed to carry rainwater and various runoffs from roads and roofs to local creeks, rivers, and the ocean, storm drains are crucial to safely routing water. Unfortunately, since water will carry debris with it into drainage systems, these systems can bring unwanted pollutants to bodies of water that we use for swimming, fishing, and drinking.

Charleston, SC residents will find that when storm drains cannot collect water, it will overflow and can cause:

• Water damage to foundations and landscaping
• Basement flooding and ruining possessions
• Standing water that creates a breeding ground for pests
• Hidden places that provide the growing environment for mold

By staying ahead of storm drain cleaning, Charleston, SC residents can play a huge part in severe weather preparedness.

How Do I Know If a Storm Drain is Clogged and Needs Storm Drain Cleaning?

Charleston, SC residents will find that one of the most obvious signs of a problem within the storm drain is that your yard floods after a rainstorm or sinkholes form after a flood. Smaller warning signs that indicate a need for storm drain maintenance Charleston, SC residents should pay attention to would be water trickling slowly into drain gutters or finding a couple of areas with standing water.

If you’re unsure, getting a second opinion is always the safest choice regarding the need for storm drain cleaning. Charleston, SC plumbing professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing can help you identify underlying problems and find the best solution for your property in terms of storm drain maintenance. Charleston, SC residents will find that whether a thorough cleaning is in order or you’ve got a larger issue on your hands, you can count on us to provide expert advice and top-notch service for storm drain cleaning. Charleston, SC residents can also report issues with storm drains to city officials.

How Can I Prevent The Need For Storm Drain Cleaning?

While cleaning out your storm drains manually on a regular basis will go a long way in maintaining their lifespan, there are a number of ways you can help prevent the need for frequent storm drain cleaning. Charleston, SC property owners need to do their best to prevent pollutants from getting into stormwater and clogging up storm drains as part of their everyday property and storm drain maintenance. Charleston, SC homeowners will find these include:

• Picking up pet waste every time
• No fertilizing your lawn before any rain
• Properly disposing of paint and oil
• Regularly inspecting your lawn for litter
• Adopting a Charleston County drain
• Keeping a tight lid on outdoor trash containers
• Raking leaves and regularly picking up sticks

Ultimately, if water can carry it away, you should pick it up so that it doesn’t wind up in your storm drain. Picking up small objects such as leaves or trash may not seem like such a big deal, but it can go a long way in terms of storm drain maintenance. Charleston, SC residents will benefit greatly from performing this exterior maintenance task.

Can I Do My Own Storm Drain Cleaning?

Charleston, SC residents, with the right equipment and dedication twice per year, can help to keep your storm drain working well, so long as you take proper precautions while managing storm drain cleaning.

Charleston, SC residents should wear heavy-weight rubber gloves and can use a flat, bladed screwdriver to lift the drain cover. With the cover removed, pull away any visible debris that you can access safely, and use a scrub brush with toilet bowl cleaner to scrub as much of the drain as you can. Once done with scrubbing, rinse it off with a full bucket of water, and replace the cover to bring an end to your DIY storm cleaning.

Charleston, SC residents should be advised to only clean what they can reach when conducting this storm drain maintenance. Charleston, SC residents can cause great injury to themselves by doing so, and are advised to never enter storm drains or attempt to clean the catch basin. If there is an issue with your storm drain you cannot easily reach, contact county or city crews to handle the drain clog or other issues that arose for storm drain cleaning.

Charleston, SC residents who are uncomfortable cleaning out their drain or need professional assistance to ensure that the job is done well the first time will be happy to know that the team of expert plumbers behind their local Mr. Rooter Plumbing are here to help. And as always, if you’re dealing with a storm drain emergency, we are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Other tips for storm drain maintenance Charleston, SC residents can implement to prevent drain blockages are to:

• Clean your gutters
• Dispose of trash properly
• Clear away overgrown vegetation
• Don’t build walls or fences near drainage areas

By following these key maintenance tips for storm drain cleaning, Charleston, SC residents can enjoy a healthier, better functioning stormwater management system. And if you are unable to maintain the storm drains near you? You can give us a call to take care of it for you! Our team is more than a group of expert plumbers—we’re individuals who care about the safety of your home and family. So if you have an issue that prevents you from taking care of storm drain cleaning, Charleston, SC’s highly rated local pros are here to help.

Why Is It Important To Do Storm Drain Maintenance?

Charleston, SC gets roughly 48 inches of rain a year—well above the national average of 38 inches. With the severity of recent storms and storm surges that can reach up to 20 feet, having a reliable stormwater system is crucial for people living in this coastal South Carolina community. That’s why our community works to bring education and resources to everyone to keep our water pure and our drains clean with regular storm drain cleaning.

With a history of flooding and road closures in the City of Charleston, the city began monitoring closure data during the 1,000-year flood. If you’re a newer resident or haven’t heard about this event, back in 2015, the area was hit by Hurricane Joaquin. A massive, Category 4 hurricane, Joaquin brought more than 26 inches of rain within the first five days of October 2015. Suffice to say that floods are not to be taken lightly.

Some benefits of storm drain maintenance Charleston, SC residents will be happy to receive include:

• Ensures an efficient flow of water during heavy rainfall or storm events
• Help prevent flooding issues for homes and businesses
• Better protect water quality in the region’s waterways
• Help prevent property damage caused by flooding
• Prevent pools of standing water that can be breeding grounds for pests

Ultimately, by taking the time to handle storm drain cleaning, Charleston, SC residents can protect themselves and their property from water damage and enjoy a healthier water supply with stormwater drainage.

Who Is Responsible For Storm Drain Maintenance?

Charleston, SC homeowners and business owners ask us all the time who should be taking care of their storm drains. The answer to that depends on the region you’re in. In Charleston County, the Stormwater Management Program, run by the Public Works department, is responsible for storm drain maintenance. Charleston, SC drains within city limits are maintained by the city’s Stormwater Division. However, property owners are responsible for maintaining the roadside ditches next to their property, and homeowners associations or private property owners can also maintain storm ponds or underground systems as a form of storm drain maintenance.

Charleston, SC residents can also adopt storm drains within the county and city, for which they would be responsible for their storm drain cleaning. Charleston, SC’s Adopt-a-Drain program is meant to encourage neighborhoods to take care of their storm drains, and by “adopting” a drain, a person(s) is empowered to monitor, maintain, and take care of the adopted storm drain cleaning.

Charleston, SC residents who participate in the program are recommended to choose a drain near their home, place of business, or regular walking route, to ensure you can inspect it at least once a week as part of your storm drain maintenance. Charleston, SC drains located in areas with a lot of trees or litter-prone areas will require more frequent inspections and storm drain cleaning.

Charleston, SC residents who have adopted drains that are full of debris and require more extensive cleaning should never attempt to do it themselves, and should contact their regional authorities to take care of the needed storm drain cleaning.

Charleston, SC residents, whether they adopt a drain or not, should know that by providing proper care and regular maintenance for their local storm drains, they can contribute to a healthier stormwater management system.

Protect Your Community With Regular Storm Drain Maintenance!

Charleston, SC residents will find that keeping a routine will help you stay ahead of potential disasters when it comes to storm drain cleaning. Charleston, SC property owners know that it doesn’t take very long for debris to build up—whether it’s on your property or a neighboring storm drain—and if it’s not addressed regularly, it becomes a problem with overflows. Overflows of this type are not sanitary due to the various types of debris that the water has swept along because the water is likely contaminated with bacteria. In fact, studies show that there is a high correlation between polluted stormwater runoff and adverse health effects. The quicker you act to start storm drain cleaning, the better your chances are of staying away from a plumbing emergency and unsafe conditions.

Need storm drain repair or maintenance? Our licensed plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Charleston can help. Our storm line specialists will inspect your storm drain thoroughly to identify any potential issues and resolve them so that you can get things back to normal. Don’t hesitate to reach out!