Underground Drain Cleaning
Metro Detroit's Trusted Underground Drain Cleaning Team
When your gutters overflow after they've been cleaned, water pools around your downspouts, or your yard drains stop pulling water — the problem is underground. We handle full underground drain cleaning across metro Detroit: downspout drain lines, yard drains, catch basins, and French drains. Hydro-jetting, snaking, root removal, and camera inspection so we don't just clear the clog — we find out what caused it.
5 Star Rated • Fully Insured • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
The Drains You Can't See Are The Ones That Fail First
Every home has an underground drainage system doing quiet work — carrying water away from the foundation, keeping yards dry, and protecting basements from flooding. Most homeowners never think about these drains until they stop working. And when they fail, it's rarely obvious. Water pools around downspouts. Yard drain grates hold standing water for days. Gutters overflow even after cleaning. Basements start to smell musty. The gutters aren't the problem — the underground line that carries their water away is clogged, collapsed, or full of roots.
We handle the full range of underground drain cleaning for homes across Sterling Heights, Shelby Township, Rochester Hills, Troy, Grosse Pointe, West Bloomfield, and the greater metro Detroit area. Downspout drain lines from the gutter outlet to the street or sump. Yard drains and catch basins that handle standing water. French drains that manage groundwater. Buried extension lines and cleanouts. Whatever's carrying water underground on your property, we clear it — and use camera inspection to confirm the problem is actually solved, not just pushed further down the line.
What Happens When You Ignore A Clogged Drain
A clogged underground drain isn't a small problem — it's the start of a much bigger one. Water that can't drain away from your foundation ends up saturating the soil around your basement walls, leading to seepage, cracks, and eventually flooding. Downspout drains that back up cause overflow that erodes your landscaping and drives water toward the foundation instead of away from it. Standing water in yard drains attracts mosquitoes, kills grass, and creates soft, muddy spots that damage lawns and patios. Michigan freeze-thaw cycles turn small blockages into ruptured pipes as trapped water expands. Preventative drain cleaning every 2 to 3 years costs a fraction of what basement waterproofing, foundation repair, or full drain replacement runs.
The Process
3 Step Process For Your Underground Drain Cleaning Needs
Step 1: Inspection & Diagnosis
Every job starts with figuring out what's actually happening. We inspect the drain openings, run a camera down the line if needed, and identify the location and cause of the blockage — roots, sludge, collapsed sections, sediment, or debris. You get an honest diagnosis before we start clearing anything, so you know what you're paying for and why.
Step 2: Clearing The Blockage
We match the method to the problem. Snaking works for basic blockages and lighter root intrusion. Hydro-jetting is the go-to for heavy root growth, hardened sludge, mineral buildup, or years of accumulated debris — high-pressure water blasts through the blockage and scrubs the pipe interior clean. Yard drains, catch basins, and French drains get cleaned out by hand plus mechanical or hydro tools depending on condition.
Step 3: Camera Verification
Once the line is clear, we run the camera through again to confirm the blockage is fully gone — not just moved deeper. We show you what the drain looks like inside so you can see the result. If the inspection reveals a section of pipe that's collapsed, cracked, or beyond cleaning, we tell you up front and can refer you to trusted contractors for repair or replacement.
More For You....
Underground drain problems and gutter problems are almost always connected. Clogged gutters overflow onto the ground and drive water straight to the foundation — which is why most of our drain cleaning customers also book Gutter Cleaning to stop the cycle at the source. Homeowners tired of dealing with either issue upgrade to Gutter Guard Installation, which dramatically reduces both gutter cleanouts and underground drain buildup. Once drainage and gutters are handled, Pressure Washing brings the driveway, siding, and walkways back to sharp. Landscaping around freshly cleaned drains keeps the beds looking clean and the grading working the way it should. And for homeowners with dead or dying trees causing root damage to underground drain lines, our Tree Removal service handles it safely with full cleanup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What underground drains do you clean?
We clean the drain lines that carry water away from your home and yard — downspout drain lines that connect gutters to the street or sump, yard drains and catch basins that handle standing water, French drains that manage groundwater and foundation moisture, and buried extension lines. If it's underground and carrying water, we handle it.
How do I know if my underground drain is clogged?
The most common signs are water pooling near downspouts after rain, gutters overflowing even after cleaning, standing water in yard drain grates, water backing up into basement window wells, a gurgling sound from downspouts, or visible sinkholes or soft spots where the drain runs. Any of those means it's time for a drain cleaning.
What causes underground drains to clog?
The biggest culprits are tree roots growing into drain lines through joints and cracks, sediment and sludge buildup from years of runoff, leaves and debris that got past gutters, collapsed sections of older clay or corrugated pipe, and yard drains that filled up with grass clippings and soil. Michigan freeze-thaw cycles make all of it worse over time.
Do you use a camera to inspect the drain?
Yes — camera inspection is part of most jobs. It lets us see exactly what's causing the blockage, how far into the line it is, and whether the drain itself is damaged or intact. It also confirms the line is fully clear after we finish, and gives you documentation of the drain's condition.
What is hydro-jetting?
Hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water to blast through blockages inside underground drain lines. It clears roots, sludge, mineral buildup, and years of accumulated debris that a standard snake can't fully remove. It's the most thorough drain cleaning method available and leaves the interior walls of the pipe clean, not just open.
Will you damage my landscaping?
Our goal is always to clean drains without disturbing landscaping. Most drain cleaning is done from the openings that already exist — downspout inlets, yard drain grates, cleanouts. Camera inspection lets us locate blockages precisely so we don't dig unnecessarily. If any excavation is needed, we discuss it with you before starting.
Do you install new underground drains?
No — we specialize in cleaning and maintaining existing underground drain systems. If your inspection reveals a collapsed or badly damaged line that needs replacement, we can refer you to trusted excavation contractors, but installation is not our service.
How often should underground drains be cleaned?
Most homes should have their downspout drains and yard drains cleaned every 2 to 3 years as preventative maintenance. Homes with a lot of mature trees, older clay drain lines, or a history of drainage issues benefit from annual cleaning. Waiting until you have a full backup is more expensive than staying ahead of it.
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Bloomfield Hills
Clinton Township
Bloomfield Hills
Clinton Township
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Proudly serving Metro Detroit alongside our sister businesses: Jerry Clean Mobile Detailing for mobile car detailing and Christmas Light Guys for holiday lighting installation.