FAQs | STORMWATER AND OUTDOOR DRAINS

Why are my gutters overflowing?

What you might be experiencing

During heavy rain, water may spill over the sides of your gutters, run down exterior walls or pool around the foundations of your home. You might also notice dripping near joins, sagging sections, stained fascia boards or water entering roof spaces and outdoor areas.

What’s likely causing the problem

Overflowing gutters are commonly caused by leaves, dirt and other debris restricting the gutters or downpipes. Other possible causes include damaged or incorrectly graded gutters, blocked underground stormwater pipes, insufficient downpipe capacity or a drainage system that cannot handle heavy rainfall.

What can you do to fix it?

Remove accessible debris from the gutters and downpipe openings, provided this can be done safely from ground level. Avoid climbing onto the roof or using an unstable ladder. If the gutters continue to overflow, arrange an inspection with MAS Plumbing Solutions to locate blockages, assess the gutter and downpipe layout, and inspect the underground stormwater drainage for damage or restrictions.

How do I unblock a downpipe?

What you might be experiencing

You may notice water overflowing from the gutters, spilling from downpipe joins or backing up around the downpipe opening during rainfall. The downpipe may drain slowly, make gurgling sounds or appear to discharge little or no water.

What’s likely causing the problem

The downpipe may be blocked by leaves, twigs, dirt, roof debris or a bird’s nest. The obstruction could also be located below ground where the downpipe connects to the stormwater system. Tree roots, sediment buildup, crushed pipes or displaced joints can restrict underground drainage.

What can you do to fix it?

Clear any visible debris from the gutter outlet and accessible sections of the downpipe, but only when this can be done safely. A garden hose may help flush a minor blockage, but stop if the water backs up or begins escaping from pipe joints. Avoid forcing objects or chemical drain cleaners into the pipe, as these can damage the drainage system. If the blockage cannot be cleared or keeps returning, arrange an inspection with MAS Plumbing Solutions to locate and clear it using professional drain-cleaning and CCTV inspection equipment.

Why is my stormwater pit not draining?

What you might be experiencing

You may notice water remaining inside the stormwater pit long after the rain has stopped, or the pit may fill rapidly and overflow during rainfall. Water might also pool across nearby lawns, pathways or paved areas, creating muddy ground, unpleasant odours or flooding near the house.

What’s likely causing the problem

The pit or outlet pipe may be blocked by leaves, soil, sediment, rubbish or tree roots. The underground stormwater pipe could also be cracked, crushed, poorly graded or affected by displaced joints. In some cases, the pit may sit too low, have insufficient outlet capacity or rely on a stormwater pump that has failed or lost power.

What can you do to fix it?

Remove visible debris from the grate and the upper section of the pit if it is safe and easily accessible. If the pit contains a pump, check that its power supply is working without entering the pit or touching electrical equipment near water. Avoid chemical drain cleaners, as they are unlikely to clear soil, roots or damaged stormwater pipes. If the water remains or the pit continues to overflow, arrange an inspection with MAS Plumbing Solutions to clear the blockage, test the pump and inspect the underground drainage

How do I stop surface water running toward my house?

What you might be experiencing

During rainfall, you may notice water flowing across lawns, gardens, driveways or paved areas toward your home. It may pool beside exterior walls, enter the garage or subfloor, cause dampness inside, or leave surrounding soil muddy and waterlogged.

What’s likely causing the problem

The ground or paving may slope toward the house instead of away from it. There may also be too few surface drains, blocked stormwater pipes or poorly positioned drainage pits. Runoff from downpipes, neighbouring properties, retaining walls and large paved areas can make the problem worse, particularly during heavy rain.

What can you do to fix it?

Keep existing grates, pits and strip drains clear of leaves and debris, and check that downpipes are connected and discharging correctly. Depending on the property, a long-term solution may involve regrading the ground, adjusting paving levels, redirecting downpipes, or installing strip drains, surface pits, subsoil drainage or a pumped stormwater system. Arrange an inspection with MAS Plumbing Solutions to assess the direction and volume of water flow and recommend a drainage solution suited to the property.

Can stormwater be connected to the sewer?

What you might be experiencing

You may notice sewer drains overflowing or gurgling during heavy rain, wastewater backing up through low-level fixtures, or unusually large amounts of water entering the sewer system. These signs could indicate that gutters, downpipes, surface drains or stormwater pits have been incorrectly connected to the sewer.

What’s likely causing the problem

In NSW, stormwater and sewer drainage are separate systems. Roof water and surface runoff must not be discharged into the wastewater sewer without specific approval. An improper connection may be left over from older plumbing work, an unapproved renovation or a drainage installation connected to the wrong pipe. These connections can overload the sewer and contribute to overflows during rainfall. Sydney Water’s connection policy

What can you do to fix it?

Do not attempt to redirect or reconnect the pipe yourself. Arrange an inspection with MAS Plumbing Solutions to trace the drainage, identify any cross-connections and determine where the stormwater should legally discharge. Depending on the property and local council requirements, it may need to connect to an approved stormwater pipe, street kerb outlet, drainage easement, absorption system or rainwater tank.

Why is my rainwater-tank pump not working?

What you might be experiencing

You may have little or no water flowing from rainwater-supplied toilets, garden taps or washing-machine connections. The pump may fail to start, run continuously, repeatedly switch on and off, make unusual noises or display a warning light. Your system may also unexpectedly switch to mains water.

What’s likely causing the problem

Common causes include an empty rainwater tank, interrupted power supply, a tripped safety switch, blocked filters or strainers, air trapped in the suction line, leaking pipework or a faulty float switch. The pump controller, pressure sensor, non-return valve or automatic rain-to-mains changeover device may also have failed. The pump itself may be seized, damaged or have lost its prime.

What can you do to fix it?

Check the tank’s water level, the pump’s power supply and any visible controller warning lights. Clean only user-serviceable filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions and try the approved reset procedure. Do not open the pump, bypass safety controls or handle electrical components near water. If the pump still does not operate correctly, arrange an inspection with MAS Plumbing Solutions to test the pump, controls, pipework and rain-to-mains changeover system.