Storm Drain Cleaning in Warren, MI
When rain sits in your yard, pours over a catch basin grate or freezes across your driveway, the storm drain is usually clogged with sediment, leaves or roots. Bison Plumbing clears residential and commercial storm drains across Macomb and Oakland County, and checks the line with a camera before and after. Warren, MI since 1998.
Storm drain cleaning removes the sediment, leaves, roots and debris that stop rain and snowmelt from draining off your property. Bison cleans catch basins, yard and area drains, driveway and trench drains and private storm lines. We camera the line, clear it, empty the basin sump, then camera it again to confirm it runs freely.
What Is Storm Drain Cleaning — and How Is It Different From Sewer Cleaning?
Your property has two separate drainage systems. The sanitary sewer carries wastewater from sinks, toilets, showers and floor drains to the treatment plant. The storm drain system carries rain, snowmelt and surface runoff from your yard, driveway, roof and parking areas. That water gets no treatment.
Warren runs a separate storm sewer system. City storm sewers discharge to Macomb County Drains, which flow on to the Red Run Drain, Bear Creek, the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair. So a storm drain problem means water collecting outside. A sewer problem means wastewater backing up inside. If you have a slow toilet, a gurgling floor drain or a sewage smell, you need our drain & sewer services instead.
Some older Oakland County communities, such as Ferndale, have combined sewers where stormwater and sanitary flow share one pipe. If you're not sure which system your drain feeds, our camera inspection will show where it goes.
Storm Drains We Clean
Catch Basins
Grated basins with a sump that traps sediment. When the sump fills, debris washes into the outlet pipe and the basin backs up.
Yard & Area Drains
Round or square grates in lawns and low spots that carry runoff to the street or a discharge point.
Driveway & Trench Drains
Channel drains across driveways, garage aprons and walkways. They clog with grit and freeze solid in winter.
Parking Lot Drains
Commercial catch basins in lots and loading areas, where sand, salt and litter build up quickly.
Private Storm Lines
The underground pipe that runs from your basin or drain to the street or a County Drain connection.
Downspout Drain Lines
Buried lines that carry roof water away from the foundation. They tend to fill with shingle grit and leaves.
Signs Your Storm Drain Is Clogged
- Ponding that stays for hours after rain. Your yard or driveway should drain within a short time after a storm.
- Water rising over the grate instead of draining down into it.
- A catch basin sump full of silt or leaves, visible when you lift the grate.
- A settled grate or a sinkhole near the drain, which can mean a broken pipe is washing out soil.
- Ice sheets across the driveway in winter, where meltwater can't get away and refreezes.
- Water against the foundation or a wet basement after heavy rain, when downspout lines back up.
A sinkhole or a collapsed grate is a safety hazard. Keep people and vehicles off the area and call us. Cleaning won't fix a broken pipe, and the camera will tell us whether it needs repair.
Who Is Responsible for Storm Drains in Warren?
Responsibility depends on where the drain sits. According to the City of Warren's Storm Water Management Plan:
| Drain | Who maintains it |
|---|---|
| Catch basins in the public right-of-way (street, curb) | City of Warren |
| Enclosed city storm sewers | City of Warren |
| County Drains, open and enclosed, that cross the city | Macomb County Public Works Office |
| Catch basins, yard drains and storm lines on private property | The property owner |
The city inspects its own catch basins on average once every six years. Private basins aren't on that schedule, so a homeowner, HOA or property manager has to keep them clear. If a street basin in front of your home is backing up, report it to the City of Warren. If the drain is on your side of the property line, call us.
Bison's Storm Drain Cleaning Process
Inspect and camera the line
We lift the grate, check the basin and run a Picote HD camera down the storm line. The camera shows what's blocking it and whether the pipe is intact.
Clear the blockage
We clear sediment, leaves and roots from the line with hydro jetting or mechanical cutting, depending on what the camera finds.
Empty the basin sump and haul it away
We remove the collected debris from the catch basin sump and take it off-site. Under Michigan EGLE guidance, catch basin waste cannot be flushed back into the storm sewer.
Camera again and send you the footage
A second camera run confirms the line is flowing. If we find a crack, offset joint or collapse, you see it on video, with repair options.
Residential vs. Commercial Storm Drain Service
Homeowners
- Yard, area and driveway drains
- Downspout drain lines
- Private storm line from the basin to the street
- Camera footage to show your insurer or a buyer
Property Managers & Businesses
- Parking lot and loading dock catch basins
- Storm lines on retail, office and multifamily sites
- Recurring maintenance schedules
- Camera footage of every line we clean
Managing a lot? Read why parking lot drains need regular jetting. For interior commercial lines like kitchen, floor and main sewer drains, see commercial hydro jetting and commercial plumbing.
When to Schedule Storm Drain Cleaning in Southeast Michigan
Michigan's seasons decide when storm drains fail. Two times of year matter most:
- Late fall, after leaf drop. Leaves and seed pods pack basins right before freeze-up, when a clog is hardest to clear.
- Early spring, before the melt. Winter sand and road salt grit settle in basins. Clearing them before spring rains prevents the season's first flooding.
How often a drain needs cleaning depends on how much debris reaches it. A basin under mature trees or in a sanded parking lot fills much faster than one in an open lawn. Lifting the grate after a big storm is a quick way to see how full the sump is. More on fall drain maintenance.
Storm Drain Cleaning Cost
Price depends on how many drains there are, how long the storm line runs, how packed the clog is and whether the basin sump needs emptying.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Storm drain & catch basin cleaning (sediment and organic debris removal, residential or commercial) | $200–$500 |
We give you a free estimate before any work starts. Financing options are available for larger repairs.
Related Services
Water in the basement after a storm? See our sump pump service.
Frequently Asked Questions — Storm Drain Cleaning
What's the difference between a storm drain and a sewer drain?
A storm drain carries rain, snowmelt and surface runoff and gets no treatment. In Warren it flows through County Drains to the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair. A sewer drain carries wastewater from inside the building to a treatment plant. Water pooling outside points to a storm drain problem. Wastewater backing up inside points to a sewer problem.
Who is responsible for the storm drain on my property in Warren?
You are. The City of Warren maintains catch basins in the public right-of-way and the city storm sewers. Macomb County Public Works maintains County Drains. Catch basins, yard drains and storm lines on private property belong to the owner. Report a blocked street basin to the city, and call a plumber for drains on your side of the property line.
How often should catch basins be cleaned?
It depends on how quickly debris builds up. Basins under trees or in sanded parking lots fill faster than basins in open lawns. Check the sump after big storms and plan a cleaning before it's full, ideally in late fall and early spring. The City of Warren inspects its own basins on average once every six years. Private basins usually need attention much more often.
Can I hose the debris from my catch basin into the street drain?
No. Michigan EGLE says catch basin waste discharged back into the storm sewer system is unauthorized, and Warren's ordinance prohibits dumping sediment and other wastes into storm drains. Catch basin cleanout has to be removed and disposed of off-site.
How much does storm drain cleaning cost in Michigan?
Cost depends on the number of drains, the length of the storm line, how severe the clog is and whether the basin sump needs emptying. Most storm drain and catch basin cleanings run $200–$500. Multi-basin commercial sites and any pipe repairs the camera turns up are quoted separately. Bison gives you a free estimate before any work begins.
Do you clean parking lot catch basins for commercial properties?
Yes. We clean catch basins and storm lines in parking lots, loading areas and multifamily sites across Macomb and Oakland County, and we camera each line before and after. We also set up recurring maintenance schedules so basins are cleared before they fill.
Water Pooling After Every Rain? Let's Clear It.
Bison Plumbing clears storm drains, catch basins and yard drains across Warren, Macomb County and Oakland County. We camera the line before and after, and the estimate is free.