When people think about storm drain contractors, they usually picture someone clearing out a grate on the side of the road or checking a manhole. That’s only a small part of what we actually do. Our work goes much deeper (literally). We’re the ones checking the pipes you don’t see, removing blockages that never reach the surface, and helping properties stay safe when the weather turns wet, cold, or both.
After heavy snow or frozen ground in places like St. Louis, MO, stormwater systems can face serious pressure. Ice that clogs drains, water that freezes in pipes, and snowmelt that has nowhere to go all bring hidden problems to light. That’s when most people realize their drainage issues aren’t just surface-level.
Managing Water Below the Surface
You might not see them, but your property’s drain pipes do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to moving water safely. These subsurface lines link together and move meltwater, rain, and runoff away from where it can cause damage. But winter doesn’t always make that job easy.
• Frozen ground can shift, pushing pipes out of place or cracking older ones
• Snowmelt flows fast, and if pipes are already blocked, that water backs up quickly
• Debris can freeze inside drain lines, creating an invisible blockage until it’s too late
We spend a lot of time inspecting underground pipes once freezing temperatures start to lift. If those lines aren’t fully open and flowing, water will find another way out, which often means into a crawl space, basement, or building slab.
When the ground stays frozen, the thawed water from above will push into any space it can find. Underground pipes that are pushed out of position or start to crack from the frozen soil might let water leak out early, making surface flooding and interior seepage much worse.
Clearing Hidden Blockages Before Flooding Happens
Fall brings leaves, and winter adds ice and snow into the mix. Together, those create a mess that often clogs up storm drains without any obvious surface signs. That’s where things get tricky.
• Ice buildup can trap leftover leaves and twigs deep inside access points
• Smaller grates get covered, turning regular runoff into standing water that builds pressure
• Water that can’t escape often travels sideways or underground, where buildings aren’t built to handle it
We know how to spot the signs and track the problem to its source. Finding the exact spot causing the backup sometimes means tracing it underground, especially when water is backing up far from the actual clog. Surface tools might not catch everything, which is why experience and timing matter after major freezes or early snowmelt.
When you have freezing overnight lows and then a quick warmup, even a little ice can dam up a pipe enough to block much of the flow. Once water starts pooling, it can quickly spread into areas that should stay dry, or push against foundations and walls that aren’t meant for such soaking. Blockages can build up slowly, only becoming fully apparent during these temperature swings.
Handling Drainage for Parking Lots, Walkways, and Common Areas
Drains don’t just serve houses. They keep apartment buildings, public walkways, and commercial properties safe too. These larger spaces deal with a mix of vehicles, foot traffic, and plowed snow, which puts more pressure on stormwater systems during colder months.
Salt, melted snow, and rain have to go somewhere. When drains aren’t set up properly or get jammed with run-in from the lot or sidewalks, some real problems pop up fast:
• Puddles that freeze overnight and turn into black ice zones
• Slabs that crack when water underneath expands, then contracts
• Storm basins that hold more water than they should
If the water isn’t flowing, it’s sitting. And in places where a lot of people walk, drive, or park, backed-up water turns into a safety hazard just as much as it’s a structural issue.
City sidewalks, parking aisles, and multi-family properties can develop small slopes or dips after freeze-thaw cycles, causing water to collect in new places. When these puddles freeze, they’re more likely to go unnoticed until they become a hazard. More water sitting on surfaces or surrounding structures only increases the risk of icy spots, cracked pavement, or interior leaks in high-traffic or shared spaces.
Fixing Damage Caused by Road Salt and Winter Chemicals
When salt and other de-icers mix with melting snow, that water becomes more than just slushy runoff. It starts to wear down the insides of drain systems. Coatings break down, joints leak, and metal parts corrode, even when everything looks fine from above.
That kind of wear takes time, which makes it easy to miss during regular checks. The warning signs tend to show up right when you need things working at full strength, like in a sudden January melt or fast-moving winter rain.
• Salted runoff often accelerates rust and decay inside metal drain parts
• Cold temps can hide degraded areas until they crack or collapse
• Even concrete systems can weaken if exposed over many winters without any repair
We keep an eye out for these subtler signs and recommend repairs before those weak spots turn into full-on failures during the wettest months.
If left unchecked, even minor corrosion or material breakdown can allow leaks, undermine concrete, or cause joint separation within the stormwater network. Many of these problems get worse each time the cycle of salt, freeze, and thaw repeats. Timely inspection and addressing these risks mean pipes and basins will be ready to handle the season’s worst without unexpected breakdowns.
Checking Connections to Larger Stormwater Systems
Private property drains don’t work alone. Almost all of them connect at some point to a larger city or county storm system. But when a connection has shifted, clogged, or slowed down, water can back up into places it doesn’t belong.
• Shifting soil in winter can misalign connectors or separate pipes completely
• Small roots or debris can creep into connection points and block water flow
• If these issues go unchecked, they can slow everything down upstream or lead to surprise flooding next time it pours
We know how to track where water is supposed to move versus where it’s actually ending up. Fixing those connections early keeps the entire network moving, even during an intense winter thaw.
A misaligned joint or a debris-filled outflow might only become obvious when the system is pushed to its limit by rain or rapid melt. That’s why we work both above and below ground to test, fix, and confirm everything drains right. Even a minor problem at a connector point can have impacts far beyond one property, causing issues up and downstream in the local stormwater network.
Expert Stormwater Solutions in St. Louis
Beyond clearing blockages, we specialize in designing and installing complete stormwater management systems for residential, commercial, and governmental properties across St. Louis, MO. Our services include underground pipe jetting, stormwater basin repairs, hydro-jet cleaning, and full storm drain replacements. These solutions tackle both surface and subsurface water challenges, helping to protect buildings and public areas throughout the winter and all year long.
All repairs and maintenance are approached with decades of experience and a commitment to using high-quality materials that stand up to St. Louis’s harshest winters. By investing in our professional support, property owners can save on costly future repairs and make sure their drainage infrastructure is ready for whatever the season brings.
Staying ahead of the weather’s changes requires proactive attention. Our team knows the area’s challenges, can recognize vulnerabilities unique to St. Louis, MO, properties, and applies proven strategies suited to harsh winters. Regular checkups and prompt repairs are a smart way to help prevent lasting water damage or safety concerns caused by failing storm drains.
Don’t Let Winter Hide Your Drainage Issues
January in St. Louis, MO, often comes with strong freezes followed by sudden warmups. That combo can flood drains with water when they’re least ready to handle it. That’s why we often identify more issues after a freeze than during the cold itself.
Minor flaws become big problems as temperatures rise and trapped water tries to move. We are used to working with that timing. The real signs don’t usually show up when things are frozen; they show up right after, when the systems need to work at full speed and don’t.
If the weather’s flipping between snow one week and rain the next, it makes sense for property owners to take a closer look. That’s when drain problems tend to show up right where you least expect them.
Being ready for those changes can help keep basements dry, public spaces safe, and stormwater flowing the right way before spring has a chance to bring even more water our way.
Noticing water pooling where it shouldn’t or unusual storm runoff around your St. Louis, MO, property could mean it’s time to have your system checked. Broken connections, clogged lines, and freeze-related shifts often go undetected during colder months and can cause major issues as temperatures rise. Our experience as storm drain contractors means we know how quickly small problems can turn into bigger headaches when drainage systems aren’t in top shape. If something seems off, call Drainage Team to speak with us directly.
