Stormwater pits and grated drains for Eastern Suburbs homes
Puddles across the driveway, a patio that floods every storm, or a cracked old pit that never seems to drain? Working out of Matraville, we put in new stormwater pits and grated drains for homeowners throughout the southern Eastern Suburbs. We look at where the water is coming from and where it can legally go, then give you options and a fixed price before anything is dug up.
When a new pit or grated drain makes sense
Water sheeting across the driveway
Sloping concrete can funnel rain straight toward the garage or front door. A grated channel across the low point catches it before it gets there.
Patio or courtyard that ponds
Paving laid with too little fall, or with nowhere for the water to go, leaves shallow lakes after rain. A pit or strip drain gives it an exit.
Broken, sunken or tiny pits
Old concrete pits crack, lids go missing and some were simply too small from day one. Replacing them with a properly sized pit stops the overflow.
Downpipes that just dump on the ground
A downpipe spilling onto the soil next to the house soaks the footings. Connecting it into an underground line and pit carries that water away.
What's involved in a stormwater pit or strip drain
Every job starts with a look at the property during heavy use of a hose, or better still after rain, so we can see how water actually moves. We check the levels, find the existing stormwater line and work out the best discharge point for your site, whether that is the kerb, an existing pit or another approved connection.
From there the work usually looks like this:
- New pits: a pit is set at the low point, with a grate on top and an outlet pipe that falls toward the discharge point. Pits also give us an access point to clean the line later.
- Strip or grated drains: a long, narrow channel with a removable grate is set into concrete or paving, often across a driveway, in front of a garage door or along the edge of a patio.
- Replacing pits: a cracked or undersized pit is broken out and a new one fitted at the right height, with the pipes reconnected and sealed.
- Downpipe connections: downpipes are joined into the underground stormwater line with the correct fittings so water is carried well away from the walls.
Grates come in different load ratings, so the one across your driveway will be strong enough to drive over, while a lighter grate suits a garden path. We'll explain which suits each spot.
Stormwater and sewer must stay separate
In NSW, rainwater and sewage travel in two completely separate systems. Rain from your roof, driveway and yard belongs in the stormwater system, never in the sewer, because storm flows can overload the sewer and cause overflows. Every pit and drain we install connects only to stormwater. If we find an old downpipe that has been plumbed into the sewer, we'll point it out and quote to reconnect it correctly.
Stormwater pits in southern Eastern Suburbs homes
Much of Matraville, Maroubra, Malabar and Botany sits on sand. That is good for soaking up water, but it also means sand washes into every pit and pipe it can reach. A pit with a sediment sump at the bottom, set slightly below the outlet, traps that sand so it can be scooped out instead of travelling down the line and choking it.
Older brick and fibro homes in these suburbs often have small square pits, cast in place decades ago, that drain into old clay or earthenware pipes. They were sized for a roof and a bit of lawn, not for a fully concreted driveway. In the newer townhouses and duplexes around Pagewood and Eastgardens, hard surfaces cover most of the block, so a well-placed strip drain is often what stops water reaching the front door.
Simple checks you can do yourself
- Lift the grate on each pit and clear out leaves and sand you can reach by hand.
- Watch where water pools during a downpour, and take a photo or short video to show us.
- Check that nothing, such as pot plants or mulch, is blocking a grate.
- Run a hose into a downpipe at ground level and see whether it comes out at the pit or kerb.
Why homeowners pick us for stormwater work
- We work from Matraville, in the heart of the southern Eastern Suburbs
- More than 100 Google reviews rated five stars
- On-site quotes are free, and the price is fixed before work begins
- Our workmanship carries a lifetime labour warranty
- Fully licensed plumbers and gasfitters (licence 398171C)
Common questions
How do I know what size pit I need?
It depends on how much roof and paved area drains to that spot. We measure the catchment on site and choose a pit and outlet pipe that will cope with a heavy downpour.
Can a grated drain go across my existing driveway?
Usually, yes. We cut a neat channel through the concrete, set the drain in place, connect it to the stormwater line and patch the concrete on either side.
Where will the water from my new pit go?
It goes to your property's stormwater discharge point, which is often the kerb or an existing stormwater line. We confirm the right connection for your site before we start.
Can I connect my stormwater to the sewer?
No. In NSW, stormwater is not allowed in the sewer. All our pit and drain work connects to the stormwater system only.
Why does my pit keep filling with sand?
Sandy soil around here washes in with every storm. A pit with a sediment sump traps the sand so you can clean it out, which protects the pipe further down.
Will I need to clean my new pit?
A quick clean every few months, and after big storms, keeps it working well. Lift the grate, remove leaves and scoop out any sand in the bottom.
Can you replace just the broken pit and keep the pipes?
Often we can, if the pipes in and out are in good shape. We'll check them first, sometimes with a camera, and tell you if any pipework needs attention too.
Learn more about our stormwater plumbing, plus backyard drainage, blocked downpipes and drain jetting. We install pits for homes in Maroubra, Pagewood, Eastgardens and Little Bay.
Want to know more first? Browse our free stormwater guide and our plain-English guide to the stormwater rules.