Gurgling sound from sinks, showers or toilets

A common early warning of a blocked drain is a gurgling sound. This sound is caused by the pipe starting to fill up further down the line, or filling up and getting away really slowly. This means a complete blockage is only a couple flushes away.

Water fills up and slowly drains away in toilet bowl

This is a very common problem, and one we hear a lot from our clients. This is very similar to gurgling mentioned above, where the pipes are filling up. However, this is a partial blockage. The drain is only allowing a small amount of the flush to get away, thus backing up in the toilet bowl. Another reason could also be the excessive use of toilet paper getting stuck in the trap of the toilet bowl. In both cases, you are best off calling a licensed plumber when dealing with a blocked drain.

Bad smells outside house and in gardens, near drainpipes

When you walk outside and you can smell sewer, this isn’t normal. A vent pipe installed on your sewer system prevents this from happening. The bad smell you are experiencing is most likely caused by overflowing sewer somewhere in your garden or sometimes a broken pipe, both of which need urgent attention.

Overflowing sewer out of drains

As mentioned above, overflowing sewer should be attended by a licensed plumber urgently. The overflowing doesn’t mean your sewer system is broken, your sewer system/design is doing its job. The open drains are installed for that reason so that they overflow outside of your house and not inside.

The Next Steps

If any of the above points are occurring at your place, call us straightaway. At FXD Plumbing Solutions we will come out, inspect your sewer, quote you a price to clear your blockage, send a camera down to observe what is causing your blockage and then provide you on what options you have to repair or prevent it from happening again. We also want you to be informed on what is causing the problem, and what better way is there then actually showing you? Communicating and understanding is so important for us to provide you, the last thing we want is you not understanding. If we are talking too fast, ask us to slow down! If we are talking to much in plumbing terms, we will simplify it for you. We want all of our clients on the same page! 

There’s nothing quite like a hot summer’s day in Sydney with a thunderstorm in the afternoon, especially if it’s followed by an almighty downpour of rain. What is even more satisfying is knowing your grass, gardens or even your rainwater tanks are getting their piece of the action. But on the other hand, there is nothing worse than your stormwater drainage system failing you, and leaving your house at risk of being under attack from flooding.

Often, people don’t pay a lot of attention to stormwater drainage until it’s too late. Blocked stormwater drains are a huge problem when left unattended.

Having a flowing stormwater system is extremely important, and you may be asking yourself; why? Well, flooding/pooling can cause serious damage inside and outside of your beloved home. Interior flooding is the obvious no-no: nobody wants to float into bed at night. The exterior of your home is also just as important, as stormwater can cause very expensive damage to your house’s foundations, which hold your house sturdy and upright. Also, pooling water near walls is just an open invitation to damaging walls and creating rising damp, which isn’t healthy at all.

Common signs of blocked stormwater drainage:

The stormwater pipe can be blocked by a number of intrusions. These include silt (from roofs), mud, tree roots and leaves.

If you feel you may have a blocked stormwater system, these signs will help in being certain that you actually do:

– Water overflowing out of gutters or roof during heavy rain.

– Water overflowing out of downpipes or connections to the ground drain.

– Pooling of water in and around your house.

– Piles of leaves visible in roof gutters.

– Stormwater drains installed in paver or concrete driveways covered in leaves and sticks or full of mud and silt.

How to prevent stormwater blockages:

Cleaning and maintaining your stormwater system is important, as this will help keep them clear and move water away from your house.

The steps below are an easy way to avoid blocked stormwater drains:

– Check your drains weekly for debris build up and clean when required.

– Once a month, check and clean your roof gutters to prevent any leaves and sticks (or any other debris from the roof e.g. tennis balls, toys, silt) going down the downpipes and into your drains.

– Once a year, have your drains inspected and cleaned by a plumber with a high pressure water jetter.

– Run the hose down the drains every couple of weeks (especially if no rain has occurred for a while) as this may help move on a potential blockage.

– Consider installing a gutter guard on gutters or silt filters on stormwater grates.

Also, if possible, check your drains during a heavy downpour to see if they are coping or backing up. This is the perfect test or reward for all your hard work on maintaining your stormwater system, and if they are not coping  you will then know they need more attention.

How we can help:

Stubborn stormwater blockages are not a do-it-yourself with a garden hose type of job. Sometimes these jobs can require specialist equipment, e.g. high pressure water jetter, CCTV camera inspection and/or locating equipment. At FXD Plumbing Solutions, we carry all of that equipment on our specially equipped Utes to make our life easier and to get the job done quicker for our happy clients. You can be sure you’re receiving the best service and the latest technology when asking us to help you with your stormwater issues or any other related plumbing problems.

Updated Stats and Examples for Recent Sydney Weather Patterns

Recent years have seen more frequent and intense rainfall across Sydney, placing pressure on ageing drainage systems. Many Inner West homes were built with stormwater systems that were suitable for past conditions but are now undersized for current runoff levels.

Authorities such as Sydney Water and Inner West Council have highlighted the growing need for effective drainage management, particularly in established suburbs with limited capacity for surface water.

For homeowners, this often means that recurring flooding is not caused by a single blockage, but by systems that are no longer adequate for current weather patterns.

DIY Gutter Clearing vs Professional Stormwater Assessment

Clearing gutters and downpipes is a useful first step in preventing minor drainage issues. However, DIY maintenance typically addresses only surface-level problems.

A professional stormwater plumber in Sydney assesses the entire system, including underground pipework, flow capacity, and drainage layout. This type of inspection identifies whether flooding is caused by blockages, structural issues, or system limitations.

Where blockages are present, professional drain clearing services may be required before further upgrades can be considered.

Common Stormwater Risks Across Inner West Properties

Inner West properties are particularly prone to drainage issues due to older infrastructure, tree root intrusion, and dense urban layouts. These conditions can restrict water flow and lead to repeated flooding.

Ongoing issues are often linked to blocked drains in the Inner West, which may require inspection and clearing before long-term solutions are implemented.

For broader service support, see Inner West plumbing services.

How to Maintain Your Stormwater System in Sydney (Step-by-Step)

Maintaining a functional stormwater system in Sydney involves a combination of routine checks and professional servicing:

1. Clear gutters and downpipes regularly
2. Remove debris from pits and surface grates
3. Check for pooling water after rainfall
4. Monitor for slow drainage or overflow
5. Arrange a professional inspection if problems persist

Preparedness resources are available via NSW SES.

Consistent stormwater maintenance in the Inner West reduces the risk of unexpected flooding and system failure.

Who Is Responsible for Stormwater Maintenance and Repairs?

Responsibility depends on where the issue occurs. For standalone homes, the property owner is typically responsible for internal stormwater systems.

In strata properties, responsibility may fall to the owners’ corporation if the issue involves shared or common infrastructure. Council or water authorities may be involved when problems extend beyond property boundaries.

Clarifying responsibility early helps avoid delays in resolving drainage issues.

How Often Should Stormwater Systems Be Serviced?

Stormwater systems should be inspected at least once a year, with additional checks recommended before periods of heavy rainfall.

Properties with large trees, older pipework, or a history of flooding may require more frequent servicing. Preventive maintenance is often more cost-effective than emergency repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Signs of a Failing Stormwater System?

Common signs include pooling water, slow drainage, overflowing pits, and water entering buildings.

Can Blocked Drains Cause Yard Flooding?

Yes. Blockages restrict flow and can cause water to back up during heavy rain.

Is DIY Maintenance Enough to Prevent Flooding?

DIY maintenance helps reduce surface debris but does not address structural or capacity issues.

Do I Need a Plumber or a Drainage Specialist?

A licensed stormwater plumber in Sydney can assess, repair, and upgrade stormwater systems as required.

Prevent Flooding Before It Becomes a Bigger Problem

Recurring stormwater issues rarely resolve on their own. Addressing the underlying cause is essential to prevent ongoing damage and disruption.

Arrange a stormwater health check with FXD before the next heavy rain.

Storm Preparation

Damaging winds, flash floods, lighting, hail and tornados can cause extreme damage to homes, cars and the environment. Sometimes, these storms can even cause injury or loss of life. Storm preparation can help you stay safe and reduce damage potential.

Most storm damage to homes happen due to the following:

• Loose and broken roof materials
• Fallen trees and branches
• Flooding from blocked gutters and downpipes

What is a Storm?

Before learning how to prepare for a storm, you first need to know what exactly defines a storm. Storms develop when humid, warm air near the ground is pushed rapidly upward into the unstable atmosphere.

How to Prepare

Overall, preparing is your responsibility. Living in a storm prone area makes safety preparation a priority.

Inside and outside of your house, there are a few simple storm preparation steps to help minimise damage:

• Check roof and gutters for damage or loose materials.
• Clear gutters and downpipes of leaves and blockages.
• Trim branches near your home and hire a contractor to clear trees from powerlines.
• Prepare an emergency kit with portable radios, torches, spare batteries, a first aid kit and family emergency plan.
• Prepare an emergency relocation plan in case your home becomes flooded. Consider options for pets, gather water and know how to turn off the gas and electricity.
• Display a list of emergency phone numbers.
• Check you have adequate home and contents insurance.

When a Storm is Forecast

• Secure or remove loose material and rubbish from around your home because strong winds can turn objects into potentially deadly missiles.
• Weigh down loose objects using plastic bags filled with sand, rather than bricks that could be blown around during strong winds.
• Ensure your emergency kit and plan is up to date.
• Ensure pets and animals are in a safe area.
• Move your vehicles under protected cover.
• Boat owners should ensure their boats are securely moored.
• Campers should find alternative shelter.
• If you are away from home, contact family and friends to ensure your home is secure.

During a Storm

• Close your curtains and stay away form windows.
• If caught outside, seek shelter away from trees, powerlines, metal objects, storm water drains, rivers and streams.
• Where there is lightning, unplug electrical appliances and do not use landline telephones.
• Create your own sandbags by using plastic bags or pillowcases filled with sand if there is flooding.
• When driving in heavy rain, take extra care on the roads.

After the Storm

• Assess your home and property for damage.
• Check on friends and neighbours to see if they need help.
• Keep children away from fallen powerlines as they are dangerous and should always be treated as live.
• Be careful of fallen trees and damaged buildings.
• If roads are flooded, do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
• Avoid gravel roads as surfaces will be slippery and muddy, and vehicles could become bogged.

Cleaning Up

• Start cleaning up around your home. Stack loose materials such as branches and debris away from water meters valves and telephone lines.
• Call your local government to get advice about the removal of green waste and other materials such as asbestos fencing.