Brisbane is no stranger to intense storms, and heavy rain does more than fill gutters — it puts serious stress on the underground drainage that most people never think about. After a big weather event, a CCTV inspection is a practical way to check whether your drains have come through unscathed. This lesson explains why.
How storms stress drainage
During heavy rain, stormwater systems can be pushed well beyond their normal load. That stress shows up in several ways:
- Debris — leaves, silt, mulch and litter get washed into pits and pipes, forming blockages.
- Surcharging — pipes run completely full and under pressure, which can shift joints or dislodge weak sections.
- Ground movement — saturated clay soils swell and move, which can crack or misalign pipes.
- Erosion — fast-moving water can undermine the ground supporting a pipe.
Because all of this happens underground, the damage is often invisible until the next storm, when a weakened or partly blocked system fails to cope.
What a camera can find afterwards
A post-storm inspection looks for the tell-tale signs of weather-related trouble:
- Accumulated silt and debris restricting flow
- Newly cracked or displaced pipe sections
- Joints that have moved under pressure
- Standing water indicating a new sag from ground movement
- Evidence of soil washing into the pipe through a defect
Catching these early means you can clear or repair before the next downpour turns a minor issue into a flood.
Signs your drains may be affected
After a storm, watch for:
- Water pooling in the yard longer than it used to
- Stormwater pits that overflow or drain slowly
- Gurgling, slow drainage or odours indoors
- New soft or sunken patches in the ground
- Downpipes that back up during rain
The best time to find storm damage is a dry, calm week — not in the middle of the next deluge.
Stormwater versus sewer
Remember that stormwater and sewer are separate systems. Storms most directly affect stormwater drainage — the pits, pipes and downpipe connections that carry rain away — but ground movement from saturated soils can affect sewer lines too. A thorough inspection can check the systems relevant to your concerns.
When to book
Consider an inspection after any major storm if you noticed flooding, slow-draining pits, or new ground movement, or if your property has a history of drainage trouble. It is also wise after a severe event if you are about to make an insurance claim, since footage documents the condition of the system — see CCTV for insurance claims.
If a recent storm has left you worried about your drains, a licensed plumber can inspect and clear them before the next one arrives — get in touch via the contact page or view drainage services.