Yard, area and storm drain service in San Jose
Yard drains only matter when it rains, which is exactly when a blocked one floods a patio or pushes water against the foundation.
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- Phelan Ave San Jose office
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Perfect Tankless Plumbing, San Jose, CA
Storm and yard drain service in San Jose clears area drains, downspout tie-ins and French drains of silt, leaves and roots, and repairs broken sections so rainwater is carried away from the house; the best time to check them is before the rainy season rather than during the first storm.
Updated September 2026
Drains & Sewer
Why yard drains stop working
Area drains, downspout lines and French drains collect silt, leaves and roots through the dry months. The first heavy rain finds the blockage: water pools on a patio, overflows a downspout boot, or sits against the foundation where it should have been carried away.
We clear the lines, camera them where the cause is unclear, and repair broken or crushed sections so the system works when it is needed.
Cost factors
What yard drain service costs depend on
We do not publish a local yard drain price; the length of line and its condition set it.
- Number of drains. one area drain or a whole system
- Line length. longer runs take more time
- Blockage type. silt versus roots
- Camera work. added when the cause is unclear
- Repairs. crushed or broken sections
- Outlet condition. curb outlets and emitters
DIY or call
Yard drain tasks you can handle
| Task | Reasonable to DIY | Call a plumber |
|---|---|---|
| Clearing leaves from grates | Yes | Not needed |
| Flushing with a hose | Yes | If water backs up |
| Cleaning gutters | Yes, safely | Not plumbing |
| Clearing a buried line | No | Always |
| Repairing a crushed pipe | No | Always |
| Rebuilding a French drain | No | Always |
Included
What a yard drain service includes
- Catch basins and grates cleaned
- Area drain lines cleared
- Downspout lines flushed
- Outlets and emitters checked
- Camera on problem lines
- Broken sections repaired
- Boots and grates replaced as needed
Area drain clearing
Patio and planter area drains clog with silt and leaves under the grate. We clean the catch basin, clear the line with a cable or jetter, and flush it to confirm it drains to its outlet, whether that is a curb outlet, a pop-up emitter or a dispersal area. If the line is crushed or has a low spot holding water, we locate it with a camera and repair that section. Missing or broken grates are replaced so leaves and grit stay out of the line, and we check that the outlet itself is not buried under mulch or soil.
Downspout tie-ins
Underground downspout lines carry roof water away from the foundation, and they fill with roof grit, leaves and sometimes roots. We clear them from the downspout boot to the outlet and check that the connection at the boot is sealed. A line that backs up and overflows at the boot during rain dumps roof water right at the foundation, which is the one place it should never go. We reset or replace boots and repair broken or crushed sections so the next storm drains away from the house instead of toward it.
French drain repair
A French drain is a perforated pipe in a gravel trench that collects groundwater and surface water. Over time silt clogs the gravel and the perforations, and roots grow into the pipe. We flush and jet the pipe through its cleanouts, camera it to see where it has failed, and repair or replace sections. When the surrounding fabric has failed and the gravel is full of silt, the honest answer is re-excavating that stretch with new fabric and gravel rather than flushing it every year.
Local context
Getting San Jose yard drains ready before the rain
San Jose's rain arrives in a few winter months after a long dry season, so yard drains sit idle for most of the year and fill quietly with leaves, silt and roots. The first real storm is usually when a homeowner discovers the problem, with water already pooling at the foundation. For that reason we suggest checking and flushing area drains and downspout lines in the fall, when the work is simple and nothing is flooding yet.
How the job runs
How a yard drain visit runs
- 1
Walk the system
Grates, boots, cleanouts and outlets.
- 2
Clear the lines
Cable or jetter.
- 3
Flush and watch
Confirm water reaches the outlet.
- 4
Camera problem lines
Find crushes and sags.
- 5
Repair
Replace broken sections and boots.
- 6
Recommend timing
When to check again.
FAQ
Storm and Yard Drain Service questions from San Jose homeowners
Before the rainy season, when the lines are dry and the work is simple.
Often a blocked downspout line or area drain. Clearing it restores the path away from the house.
Yes, especially perforated French drains and older joints.
Yes, where flushing won't restore them because the gravel or fabric has failed.
The pipes are plumbing. We clear and repair them; landscaping over them is by others.
Same family
Related work in drains & sewer
Clogged Toilet Repair
Auger clearing, Flange and wax seal.
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Sewer Odor and Smoke Testing in San JoseSewer Camera Inspection
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Read about sewer camera inspectionHydro Jetting
Grease line jetting, Root cutting.
Grease line jetting and related work
One number, any hour
Clear the yard drains before the rain
Call to book a yard drain check. It is easier in the dry season than in a storm.
