Signs Your Stormwater System Is Failing

1. Water pooling around downpipes

If downpipes are discharging onto paving, garden beds or soil near the house, the property may not have enough connected drainage. Even small roof areas can produce a lot of runoff during a Perth downpour.

2. Soakwells overflowing during rain

Overflowing soakwells can point to undersized capacity, blocked pipework, poor installation, age-related failure, or soil that is not draining as quickly as expected. It is especially common after renovations, extensions, patios or new paving increase hard surface area.

3. Paving or alfresco areas holding water

Water sitting on paving after rain can be a fall issue, a missing drainage pit, blocked grates, or a system that cannot move water away fast enough. Left alone, it can stain paving, undermine bedding sand, and make outdoor areas hard to use.

4. Damp walls, musty smells or water close to footings

Stormwater should be directed away from the house. Water sitting against walls, footings, retaining walls or low points near the home is worth checking, especially if it keeps happening after moderate rain.

5. New roof, patio, extension or landscaping changes

Many drainage problems start after a property changes. A new patio, roof section, driveway, pool area, retaining wall or paved courtyard can alter where water flows. If the stormwater system was designed for the old layout, it may no longer be enough.

6. Water flowing toward neighbours or back toward the house

Good stormwater work is about controlling where water goes. If runoff is flowing across boundaries, back toward doors, or into areas that were previously dry, the system may need additional capture points, pipework or soakwell capacity.

What to send when asking for a quote

• Photos of where water pools during or after rain
• Photos of nearby downpipes, grates and pits
• A rough description of when the problem happens
• Any renovation, paving, patio or landscaping changes
• Your suburb and access details

Related advice

If the problem is mainly in the yard, see why backyards flood after rain. If grates or pits are the visible issue, see drainage grate cleaning and overflow advice. If the issue started around building work, see stormwater drainage for Perth renovations and extensions.