That mini-whirlpool moment is basically the highlight of my rainy season, not gonna lie. I’ve seen folks try to clear those grates with their hands and… let’s just say, there are things down there I wouldn’t poke with a ten-foot pole, let alone touch. I’d add—if you’ve got a shop vac and a wild streak, you can suck up the gunk without even getting your boots dirty. Just don’t tell my wife I used her vacuum that one time... she’s still suspicious about the smell.
- Yeah, those grates are a whole ecosystem. I tried to clear one with a rake last fall and ended up pulling out what looked like a prehistoric salad.
- Shop vac idea is clever, but I’m not risking my new one. That smell never really goes away, does it?
- I get the urge to just fix it yourself, but honestly, I’m a little wary of what’s actually down there. Broken glass, weird sludge, maybe a rat or two... hard pass.
- City’s supposed to handle this stuff, but I’ve called them twice and all I got was a “we’ll put it on the list.” Not holding my breath.
- If you do try to clear it, at least wear gloves. And maybe goggles. Learned that the hard way when something splashed up—still don’t know what it was, but it wasn’t rainwater.
- At this point, I just keep an eye on the curb and hope for the best. If it floods, sandbags are easier than explaining to my partner why the vacuum smells like a swamp.
I’ve seen what gets stuck in those drains—half the time it’s not just leaves, it’s stuff you’d never expect. Last winter, I pulled out a chunk of asphalt and what looked like a sock (don’t ask). I get wanting to handle it yourself, but honestly, you never know what’s lurking down there. Ever had a drain back up and suddenly your basement smells like a fish market? Not fun. Is it really worth risking your hands—or your tools—for something the city’s supposed to handle? I’m not convinced.
It’s wild what ends up down there—last spring I found a broken screwdriver in the curb drain. Not even sure how that happens. I get your point about safety, but if we leave it to the city, sometimes it’s weeks before they clear anything out.
Here’s the thing: would you trust a sump pump alone if the street floods, or do you have a backup plan? I’m always torn between calling it in and just grabbing my gloves...
I’d never trust just a sump pump, not with the way water finds every weak spot. I’ve seen pumps fail mid-storm—power flickers, debris jams, you name it. I keep a backup battery and a wet vac handy, just in case. Honestly, if the city’s dragging their feet, I’ll clear the curb myself if it’s safe. Beats dealing with a flooded basement and angry tenants...
