Quick answer
A new storm water drain installation collects rainwater from roofs and hard surfaces and carries it to a suitable, lawful discharge point. For a Benoni property, the layout needs to account for runoff volume, ground levels and outlet capacity—not just where puddles appear. Fox Plumbing can assess your drainage needs and agree the price upfront.
When does your property need new storm water drains?
Water collecting at a garage entrance, against outside walls or across a paved courtyard can indicate that runoff has no effective escape route. New paving, roof extensions and altered garden levels can also send rainwater towards areas that previously stayed dry.
A new installation is not always the first answer. An existing drain may be blocked, damaged or poorly positioned. Establishing the cause first helps distinguish a maintenance problem from a layout or capacity problem.
- Rainwater flows towards doors or low air vents during storms.
- Puddles remain on paving long after surrounding areas have drained.
- Soil washes away beside paths, driveways or boundary walls.
- Downpipes discharge onto the ground without a suitable onward route.
- Flooding continues even after existing drains have been cleared.
What affects the cost of a new installation?
The main cost factors are the amount of water to collect, the distance to a suitable outlet and the work needed to install the drainage route. A short run through accessible garden ground is a different job from trenching beneath a paved driveway.
Agree what the work includes before excavation starts, particularly the removal of spoil and reinstatement of paving or concrete. Fox Plumbing agrees the price upfront; its call-out fee includes the first hour of work, and pensioners get a special rate.
- Roof and paved catchment areas, which influence required capacity.
- Pipe lengths, gradients, trench depths and access for excavation.
- The number and type of channels, catch pits and access points.
- Existing underground services and ground conditions.
- Outlet requirements and any permissions needed.
- Removal and reinstatement of affected surfaces.
Planning drainage for Benoni's summer storms
Benoni's Highveld summer thunderstorms make it important to consider short periods of intense rainfall. A drain at the lowest point will not solve flooding if its pipe has insufficient fall or the receiving outlet cannot accept the flow. The assessment should follow the water from collection point to final discharge and consider where overflow would travel.
Storm water must remain separate from sewage drainage. Do not assume you can connect to a municipal drain or cut an outlet through the kerb: confirm the applicable City of Ekurhuleni requirements first. Runoff should not simply be diverted onto a neighbouring property.
- Photograph water flow during rain from a safe, dry position.
- Show the plumber any planned paving, extensions or landscaping.
- Keep grates and collection points accessible for leaf and silt removal.
- Assess soil and available space before considering a soakaway.
- Include a suitable overflow route if rainwater storage forms part of the layout.
Discuss your installation with Fox Plumbing
Fox Plumbing is based in Benoni and serves the East Rand and greater Gauteng. Owner Evan Pretorius is a qualified registered plumber with more than 20 years of experience and remains on the tools. Fox Plumbing is a member of IOPSA and PIRB, issues Certificates of Compliance (COCs), and every job is insured. Ask which compliance documentation applies to your particular scope of work.
Call or call 084 368 1879 to arrange an assessment. Working hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00, with Saturdays by appointment. Photos of the problem area and details of when flooding occurs are useful starting points.
- Owner on the tools.
- Price agreed upfront.
- Call-out fee includes the first hour of work.
- Special rate for pensioners.
- Every job insured.
How we do the job
- 1
Trace the runoff and inspect existing drainage
Identify contributing roof and paved areas, low spots and signs of overflow. Check whether existing drainage can be repaired or extended before committing to a new route.
- 2
Confirm levels and a suitable outlet
Check the available fall and discharge conditions. Establish any municipal requirements before finalising a connection, kerb outlet or other disposal method.
- 3
Plan the layout and agree the scope
Select collection points, pipe capacity and maintenance access to suit the site. Agree the price and clarify excavation, spoil removal and surface reinstatement.
- 4
Excavate and install the drainage
Locate existing services before digging. Install suitable bedding, pipes, channels and catch pits with the planned levels, stable support and access for cleaning.
- 5
Test, backfill and hand over
Check connections and water flow before covering the pipework. Backfill and reinstate the agreed areas, then explain how to clean collection points and what to watch for during the next heavy rain.
Common questions
Can storm water go into my sewer drain? +
No. Keep roof runoff and surface water separate from sewage drainage. An apparently convenient sewer connection is not a suitable storm water outlet.
Will a bigger pipe stop my driveway flooding? +
Not necessarily. The collection grate, pipe gradient, blockages or final outlet may be the restriction. The whole drainage route needs checking before choosing a pipe size.
Can I use a soakaway instead of a street outlet? +
Possibly, but only where ground conditions, available space and applicable requirements allow it. Soil infiltration and the location relative to buildings and boundaries need assessment; a soakaway is not suitable for every site.
Does installing new storm water drains involve digging? +
New underground pipe routes generally require excavation. Ask which surfaces will be disturbed and how they will be reinstated. Confirming the route and levels first helps avoid unnecessary digging.
How should I maintain the new drains? +
Remove leaves and litter from grates and clear accumulated silt from accessible catch pits, especially before the summer rains. Check after storms for slow drainage or displaced covers, and arrange an inspection if water repeatedly backs up.
