Storm Drain Cleaning & Jetting Services

Storm Drain Cleaning and Jetting Services

Storm drain cleaning clears the inlets, catch basins and pipes that carry rainwater away from parking lots, streets, yards and roofs. Pros use high-pressure jetting to loosen silt, leaves and trash, and usually vacuum the debris out so it is removed instead of washed further down the line.

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By Hydro Jetting USA Editorial Team · Last updated November 10, 2026

What clogs storm drains?

Storm drains clog with whatever rain washes off hard surfaces. The U.S. EPA describes runoff from paved streets, parking lots and rooftops picking up trash, chemicals, oils and dirt or sediment. Over time that load settles in catch basins and pipes until water backs up.

Sediment and sand: the biggest source of buildup in most catch basins
Leaves and grass clippings: mat together and block grates and pipes
Trash: cups, bags and packaging from parking lots
Roots: enter older storm pipes through joints, just like sewer lines
Oil and grime: coat the inside of the pipe in busy lots

If your lot or yard holds water long after the rain stops, the drain is likely filling up. Call now to get information about the service and book a cleaning.

Storm drain vs sanitary sewer: what is the difference?

They are separate systems. Sanitary sewers carry wastewater to treatment. Storm drains carry rainwater, and EPA notes that municipal storm sewer systems often discharge it untreated into local waterways. That difference shapes how storm drains should be cleaned.

Question	Storm drain	Sanitary sewer
What it carries	Rain and melted snow from streets, lots and roofs	Wastewater from toilets, sinks, showers
Where it goes	Often straight to creeks, rivers, lakes or the ocean	Treatment plant or septic system
Typical clog	Sediment, leaves, trash	Grease, wipes, roots
Cleaning approach	Jetting and vacuum recovery, often used together	Jet debris toward the sewer main

Storm drain jetting vs vacuum cleaning

The two usually work as a team. Vacuum equipment lifts the heavy sediment out of the catch basin. Jetting loosens the compacted material inside the pipes and pulls it back to the basin, where it can be vacuumed out instead of being washed downstream.

That capture step matters for storm systems because the water leaving them is often not treated. The job should be planned to capture and properly handle the removed sediment and debris, in line with local requirements. Ask on the call how debris will be handled for your property, and book a visit when you are ready.

What is catch basin cleaning?

Catch basin cleaning empties the settling box under a storm drain grate. The basin's sump is designed to trap sand and debris; when it fills, debris flows into the pipe and the system floods. Cleaning restores the space the sump needs to do its job.

A typical visit lifts the grate, vacuums out the sediment and trash, jets the outlet pipe if it is slow, and checks the basin walls and grate for damage. Properties with several basins often have them cleaned on a schedule. Call to ask about a schedule that fits your site.

Residential storm drain cleaning

Many homes have their own small storm system: yard drains, area drains in low spots, and downspout lines buried in the lawn. They clog with leaves, roots and soil, and water then pools against the foundation or across the driveway.

These lines are smaller than commercial storm pipes, so pros use lighter jetting equipment, similar to drain jetting inside the house. If a downspout overflows or a yard drain stays full after rain, call and describe where the water collects. A local pro can explain the options and book your service.

Who needs storm drain cleaning?

Anyone who owns or manages paved areas with their own drains. Public street drains are usually handled by the city, but private lots and yards are the owner's to maintain.

Shopping centers, offices and warehouses with parking lots
HOAs, apartment complexes and condo associations
Schools, churches and hospitals
Restaurants and gas stations with busy lots (see commercial grease jetting for kitchen lines)
Homeowners with yard drains or buried downspout lines

How do you keep storm drains flowing?

Most storm drain problems start on the surface, so the best prevention happens above ground: keep debris away from inlets and catch sediment before it reaches the pipes.

Sweep lots and keep leaves and clippings away from grates
Check catch basins before the rainy season and after big storms
Never wash oil, paint or chemicals into a storm drain
Fix broken grates and damaged basin walls quickly
Book a camera check if a drain floods even after cleaning

Storm drain cleaning near you

Searching for storm drain cleaning near me? Local professionals offer storm drain and catch basin cleaning for homes, HOAs and businesses across the country. Each city page covers local rainfall, soil and drainage conditions.

Local pages: Stockton, CA · Newark, NJ · Riverside, CA · Irvine, CA · Corpus Christi, TX · Santa Ana, CA · Cincinnati, OH · Greensboro, NC

All states and cities are on the areas we serve page. Calls are answered 24/7.

Frequently asked questions

How often should storm drains be cleaned?

It depends on how much debris reaches them. Lots with trees, unpaved edges or heavy traffic fill faster. Many property managers have catch basins checked before the rainy season and after big storms, then clean them when sediment builds up. Your local stormwater permit or HOA rules may also set a schedule.

Who is responsible for a clogged storm drain?

Drains in public streets are usually maintained by the city or county. Drains on private property, such as parking lot catch basins, yard drains and private storm lines, are usually the property owner's responsibility. If you are not sure, your local public works department can tell you.

What is a catch basin?

A catch basin is the box under a storm drain grate. It has a deep bottom, called a sump, that lets sand, silt and debris settle before the water enters the storm pipe. When the sump fills up, debris starts flowing into the pipe and the drain slows or floods.

Can hydro jetting clear a storm drain?

Yes. Jetting breaks up compacted silt, leaves and roots in storm pipes and washes them back toward an access point, where vacuum equipment can remove them. For heavily filled catch basins, the basin is usually vacuumed out first and the pipe is jetted after.

Can a pro clean a residential storm drain or yard drain?

Yes. Many homes have yard drains, downspout lines or a small storm line that clogs with leaves, roots and dirt. These are cleaned with a smaller jetter, much like a drain line inside the house. Call and describe where the water collects.

Storm drain vs sewer: what is the difference?

A sanitary sewer carries wastewater from toilets, sinks and showers to a treatment plant or septic system. A storm drain carries rainwater from streets, roofs and parking lots, and the U.S. EPA notes that storm sewer systems often discharge that water untreated into local water bodies. That is why nothing but rain should go into a storm drain.

Why does my parking lot flood when it rains?

Usually because the catch basins or the pipes leaving them are full of sediment, leaves or trash, so water cannot get away fast enough. Less often the pipe is cracked, crushed by heavy traffic or holding water in a low spot. A cleaning and camera check finds which one it is.