- Liability’s a real thing, but honestly, I’ve never seen anyone get sued for sweeping leaves off a storm drain.
- Flood cleanup costs way more than ten minutes of effort, like you said.
- Ever had to deal with a neighbor who gets mad if you clear “their” curb? That’s the only drama I’ve run into.
- Curious—do folks in your area actually get warnings about this stuff, or is it just common sense?
I get what you’re saying about liability, but I’ve actually heard of a couple towns where the city sent out letters warning people not to touch the drains at all. Not super common, but it happens. I still think it’s worth doing if it keeps water out of my basement... but yeah, I’ve had one neighbor glare at me for “messing with his leaves.” Guess some folks are just territorial about their curbs?
Had a similar run-in with a neighbor last fall. I was out there with a rake, just trying to clear the leaves before the rain hit, and he gave me the side-eye like I was stealing his grass clippings or something. Honestly, I’d rather risk an awkward chat than a flooded basement. The city here hasn’t said anything about not touching drains, but I guess it’s only a matter of time. Some people get real weird about their stretch of curb...
Yeah, I get that vibe from a few folks on my block too. Funny how territorial people get over a patch of curb. I’d rather deal with a grumpy neighbor than water creeping into my basement any day. Honestly, if the city isn’t handling it, someone’s gotta step up.
I hear you on the curb drama—people get weirdly possessive about “their” stretch of street. But honestly, when it comes to flooding, I don’t mess around. I’ve had tenants call me in a panic more than once because water started seeping in after a heavy rain, and it’s always traced back to blocked drains or gutters nobody bothered to clear.
If the city’s dragging its feet, I’d rather just grab a rake and clear the grates myself than risk water damage. It’s not ideal, but waiting for official help can take forever, and insurance headaches are way worse than a neighbor side-eyeing you for “trespassing.” I do try to document what I’m doing, though—just in case someone gets upset or there’s any liability question later.
It’s not really about being a hero, just protecting your investment and keeping everyone safe. Water damage is no joke... mold, ruined drywall, the whole nine yards. A little proactive maintenance goes a long way, even if it means stepping on a few toes.
