Redirecting Roof Water Through a New 40-Metre Stormwater Line
Our team attended a property in Tamarama NSW 2026 to redirect two existing downpipes and create a new stormwater drainage route connecting the rear and side of the home to the existing system at the front of the property.
The job required approximately 40 metres of new 90mm PVC stormwater pipework, with the drainage route passing beneath existing decking, underground along the side access and externally along the building before reaching the stormwater connection leading towards the street kerb.
Rather than allowing roof water to continue discharging into unsuitable areas around the property, the new installation created a dedicated pathway to carry it away.
Finding a Practical Route Through an Existing Property
Installing stormwater drainage around an established home is different from installing it during construction.
Decking, landscaping, paths, walls and existing underground services can all limit where new pipework can go. The route also needs to work hydraulically, allowing water collected from the roof to continue towards the intended discharge point.
Before excavation began, our plumbers assessed the two existing downpipes, the side access and the location of the existing stormwater connection at the front.
A route was then planned that would allow the new drainage to pass through the property without unnecessarily removing existing structures.
Selected decking boards were carefully lifted to gain access beneath the deck, while trenching was completed along the side of the property for the underground section of the installation.
Connecting Two Downpipes into the New Stormwater System
The existing rear and side downpipes were removed and replaced with new 90mm PVC downpipes.
Both were then connected into the newly installed stormwater drainage line.
Approximately 40 metres of 90mm PVC pipework and associated fittings were installed to carry the collected roof water towards the front of the property.
The route included several different installation conditions. Some pipework could be concealed beneath the decking, another section could be installed underground, while part of the drainage needed to remain exposed along the side wall.
Where the stormwater pipework was installed externally, it was securely supported with appropriate brackets to keep the line stable and maintain its intended drainage path.
At the front of the property, the new pipework was connected into the existing stormwater system leading towards the street kerb.
Why Downpipe Discharge Location Matters
A downpipe can be functioning perfectly and still create a drainage problem if it discharges water into the wrong place.
During rainfall, a roof collects a considerable volume of water and concentrates it into a relatively small number of downpipes. If those downpipes release directly beside the home or into an area without adequate drainage, the same sections of ground can become saturated every time it rains.
Depending on the property, this can contribute to persistent wet areas, soil erosion, water pooling and unnecessary moisture around landscaping or building structures.
The purpose of this stormwater drainage upgrade was therefore not to simply replace the existing downpipes. It was to give the water collected by those downpipes somewhere appropriate to go.
By connecting both outlets into a continuous drainage route, roof water can now be carried through the property and into the established stormwater system rather than being discharged around the rear and side of the home.
Working Around the Existing Decking and Side Access
One of the more important parts of this project was working with what was already there.
Removing an entire deck or unnecessarily disturbing established areas would have significantly increased the scope of the job.
Instead, only the decking boards required for access were removed. This allowed the stormwater pipe to be installed underneath before the boards were reinstated.
Along the side of the property, trenching provided a protected underground route where conditions allowed. The drainage then transitioned to an externally supported section where running the pipe above ground provided the more practical installation route.
Using a combination of concealed, underground and externally supported pipework allowed the approximately 40-metre drainage run to be completed without treating every section of the property in the same way.
Testing the New Stormwater Route
Once both downpipes and the complete PVC drainage line had been connected, the new system was tested to confirm water could travel through the installation towards the existing stormwater outlet.
The excavated sections were then backfilled and the decking boards removed for access were reinstated.
All remaining materials and installation waste were removed and the work areas were cleaned upon completion.
The finished installation now provides the two affected downpipes with a dedicated route from the rear and side of the property through to the existing front stormwater system.
Related Stormwater & Drainage Services
Pure Plumbing Professionals carries out Stormwater Drainage work throughout Tamarama and surrounding Sydney suburbs, including downpipe connections, new stormwater pipework, drainage diversions and repairs to existing underground drainage.
Related work can also include Blocked Drains where an existing stormwater line is no longer flowing correctly, CCTV Drain Inspections to investigate underground drainage problems, and Pipe Relining where damaged sections of suitable drainage pipe can be repaired without extensive excavation.
For properties undergoing broader plumbing alterations, these works can also form part of our Residential Plumbing services.
