If you live on Brisbane’s Southside, you’ve seen it: one heavy storm, and suddenly your backyard turns into a swimming pool.
I’ve been a plumber here for more than 15 years, and I can tell you that most flooding issues aren’t from “bad luck” — they’re from poor stormwater drainage design or neglected maintenance.
The good news? Once you understand what’s happening underground, fixing it is easier (and cheaper) than you might think.
Our subtropical weather brings heavy downpours in short bursts — too much water, too fast. Combine that with older homes, clay soils, and tree roots, and you get blocked or overwhelmed stormwater systems.
Common culprits include:
In new estates, stormwater pipes often can’t cope with backflow from council mains — and that’s when yards flood even if you’ve done everything right.
If you notice any of these, the problem isn’t going away on its own. Brisbane’s next storm will just make it worse.
At CK Plumbing, we diagnose and repair stormwater drainage problems across Holland Park, Mount Gravatt, Coorparoo, Carina, and Brisbane’s Southside.
Here’s what we typically do:
We run a drainage camera through your lines (if accessible) to locate blockages or collapsed sections.
Clears roots, silt, and debris without digging up your yard.
If a section is damaged, we either replace the pipe or use trenchless relining for minimal disruption.
We assess whether you need additional pits, grates, or better water direction to handle heavy rain.
Stormwater Drainage
The goal isn’t just to clear the water — it’s to stop it from coming back
Last summer, we helped a family whose lawn flooded every time it rained. Their downpipes were fine — the issue was a crushed stormwater line under the driveway. We replaced that section and added a small pit for overflow.
After the next storm, the water drained perfectly. Simple fix, big relief.
You can avoid most issues with a few proactive habits:
Regular maintenance is far cheaper than repairing flood damage.
A common question I get is: “Who’s responsible — me or the council?”
Here’s the rule:
If your connection to the council main is faulty, you’ll need a licensed plumber (that’s us) to repair it to regulation standard.
We take pride in fixing things properly the first time, so you can enjoy a yard that drains — not drowns.
They may be undersized, blocked, or incorrectly graded. We can inspect and correct the slope or add extra pits.
Yes — roots chase moisture and easily enter joints in older clay pipes. Jetting and relining stop this permanently.
At least once a year — twice if your property has large trees or sits on clay soil.
Often yes — we use trenchless relining and jetting to repair pipes without excavation.
At CK Plumbing, we repair and upgrade drainage systems that protect your home — rain, hail, or shine.
CK Plumbing helps Brisbane homeowners fix backyard flooding and stormwater drainage problems — with permanent, code-compliant solutions that handle the next big storm.
