Understanding the difference between storm drains and sanitary sewers is essential for homeowners in the Cleveland, Ohio area, especially when dealing with plumbing issues like drain clogs, plumbing leaks, or the need to replace a sewer line. At Tri-County Services Electric & Plumbing, we help homeowners across Garfield Heights, Parma, and Maple Heights protect their homes with expert plumbing services.
What Is a Storm Drain?
Storm drains are designed to quickly move rainwater, surface runoff, and melting snow from hard surfaces like roads and parking lots into nearby rivers, lakes, and streams. These systems use catch basins, pipes, and outfalls to transport water without filtration or treatment. As a result, pollutants and debris entering storm drains flow directly into natural waterways, threatening aquatic life and local water quality.
Common storm drain issues include:
• Blockages from leaves, debris, or trash
• Flooding during heavy rain
• The need for drain line cleaning service or drain cleaning
In flood-prone areas like Lakewood or Parma, installing a sump pump or a battery backup sump pump system is a smart preventative measure to avoid water damage.
What Is a Sanitary Sewer?
Sanitary sewers transport wastewater from homes and businesses to treatment facilities. This includes water from sinks, toilets, showers, and appliances.
Problems with sanitary sewers include:
• Sewer backups
• Recurring clogs
• The need to replace sewer lines or call for plumbing repair near me
Solutions like sewer and drain cleaning, drain clog service, and drain cleaner companies can help restore flow and prevent future issues. Sanitary sewer systems carry wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries—like water from sinks, toilets, and appliances—to treatment plants. There, the water is cleaned through physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove harmful contaminants. Treated water is then safely released or reused according to environmental regulations.
Why the Difference Matters
Knowing which system is affected can help you call the right plumber near me and avoid costly mistakes. Dumping waste into storm drains is illegal and harmful to Lake Erie and local ecosystems.
Preventative care tips:
• Schedule regular inspections with a plumbing repair service
• Use professional drain cleaning services in Cleveland
• Install a sump pump with battery backup system to protect your basement
How Tri-County Services Electric & Plumbing Can Help
We offer a full range of plumbing services for homes in Cuyahoga County, including:
• Drain cleaning
• Sump pump installation and battery backup systems
• Electric water heater replacement, gas water heater replacement, and tankless water heater replacement
• Installation of tankless hot water heaters
• Plumbing leak detection and pipe repair
Our team of licensed professionals understands Cleveland’s infrastructure and delivers reliable service tailored to your neighborhood.
Understanding the difference between storm drains and sanitary sewers helps you protect your home and the environment. Whether you need to install a drain, schedule a tankless water heater install, or get help with a plumbing leak, Tri-County Services Electric & Plumbing is here for you.
Contact us today to schedule your inspection or maintenance service in Cleveland and surrounding suburbs.
