Storm Drain and Area Drain Cleaning in Orange County
We hydro-jet, camera, and repair the area drains that carry rain off Orange County homes and out to the street.
Day or Night, We Pick Up
4.9 stars from 2,800+ reviews. Available 24/7.
What storm drain cleaning really means
Most people call them storm drains. The storm drain is actually the city's: the big opening in the street, built to carry rain and runoff. The drains on your property are area drains, the grates in the backyard, in the planters, in the low spots, and around the pool. They carry rain to a small opening in the curb called the curb outlet, and from the street the water flows into the city's storm drain. Most homes with area drains have 6 to 10 of them feeding one main line out to the street. Most folks don't think about them until a storm, or until last year's storm. We clean, camera, and repair area drains on homes across Orange County, most often in Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Trabuco Canyon, and Irvine, so the rain goes to the street instead of toward your house.
Area Drain Problems We See Across Orange County
Area drain trouble usually builds for years and shows up in one storm. Roots narrow the line, the yard keeps feeding it, and one day the water has nowhere to go. Here's what we find.
Tree Roots in the Line
Roots are the most common reason an area drain stops draining. They work into the line and can close off most of the pipe while water still trickles through. Big trees next to your area drains are a good reason to have the lines checked.
Leaves and Dirt That Finish the Job
Landscape debris blows into area drains all year, and the Santa Ana winds strip the trees every fall, right before the first storms. On its own it's usually minor. In a line that roots have already narrowed, it's what closes off the last of the open pipe.
Water Pooling in Low Spots
Rain runs to the low spots in your lawn, concrete, and pavers. If the area drain there is blocked, the water sits, or it heads toward the house.
Drains Nobody Can Find
Over the years area drains get buried in mud or swallowed by a shrub. A drain you can't see still has to be cleared, and finding it is often the hardest part of the job.
French Drain Filled In
A French drain pulls water out of the soil through gravel and a perforated pipe. Over the years fine dirt fills the gravel and the pipe, and the drain stops moving water.
Downspouts Tied Into the Area Drains
Roof water runs down the downspout and into the area drains, so a blocked line backs up there first. We don't clean gutters, but once the downspout meets the area drain, it's ours.
Our Solutions
How We Clean and Repair Area Drains
Area Drain Hydro-Jetting
Licenses and Certifications
Transparent Pricing, Always
Area drain work is priced by the job, not by the hour, and you approve it in writing before we start.
How We Price
- Flat-rate upfront pricing before work begins
- No hidden fees or changes after approval
- All pricing, scope of work, and approvals provided in writing before starting
- Every jetting job ends with water run through the system to confirm it reaches the curb.
- Home Protection Plan members: your annual visit includes a drainage check, with water run through your area drains.
Pricing by Service
- Area drain hydro-jetting: $1,425.26 for up to 8 area drains
- More than 8 drains: we count them on site and confirm the added price before we continue
- HD camera inspection: $312.68, locator included
- French drains and spot repairs: quoted in writing after the camera
Orange County's Trusted Full Service Plumbing Company
See how we take care of our clients' homes and businesses.
“We had a great experience with this plumbing company. They were professional, knowledgeable, and thorough in addressing our patio drainage issues. They took the time to explain the problem and get everything working properly.”
monique herb
Google Review
“5/5 Stars - Hands down the best plumbing team around! Olson Superior Plumbing has been our "go-to" plumbing company for the last 8 years, and they proved why yet again today.”
Rick Doane
Google Review
“The guys were great! Very happy with my decision to use Olson Superior plumbing for taking care of my landscape drainage. Chuck was super as well!”
John Pennell
Google Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this service. Need more details? Call us at (949) 328-6002.
For the area drains on your property, hydro-jetting is $1,425.26 for up to 8 drains. That covers the jetting, hauling away the roots and debris, and running water at the end to confirm it reaches the curb. If your home has more than 8 drains, we count them on site and confirm the added price before we continue. An HD camera inspection is $312.68 with the locator included. French drains and spot repairs are quoted in writing after the camera shows us what's there.
Handy Guides
Learn more about storm drain & area drain cleaning at your own pace.
Rainy-season drain and sewer readiness for Orange County homes.
An Orange County plumber's pre-season drain and sewer checklist: yard drain flushing, camera inspections, backwater valves, and where to get free sandbags.
El Niño 2026-27: What Orange County Homeowners Should Know About Their Plumbing
What the 2026-27 El Niño forecast actually says, what past El Niños really did to Orange County homes, and the short list of plumbing prep worth doing now.
Hydro-jetting vs. snaking: which drain cleaning method do you actually need?
A plumber compares hydro-jetting ($350-$1,495) vs. snaking ($249-$525) in Orange County. When each method works, real pricing, and which one your sewer line actually needs.
Sewer backing up during a storm: what's normal, what's not, and when to call.
Sewer backing up during a storm? An Orange County plumber explains what's normal, what's not, what to do in the first 60 minutes, and when to call.
How to clear a clogged garage drain.
Clogged garage drain? An Orange County plumber explains step-by-step how to unclog it, what causes garage drain clogs, and when to call a pro.
Sewer camera inspection: what it finds, what it costs, and when you need one.
A plumber explains what a sewer camera inspection reveals, what it costs ($298-$525, locating included), and the 6 situations where it saves you money.
24/7 emergency plumbing & HVAC service
Call us anytime — day or night, weekends and holidays. Our team is always ready to help.