Never seen the city move fast on this stuff, honestly. Last fall, water was creeping up my driveway and I called it in—took them three days to show up. By then, the rain had stopped and the mess was already there. I get wanting to fix it yourself, but those grates are no joke. I tried once and nearly dropped it on my foot... not worth it. Sometimes you just gotta cross your fingers and hope for the best.
I get wanting to fix it yourself, but those grates are no joke. I tried once and nearly dropped it on my foot... not worth it.
Honestly, I hear you on the weight of those grates—they're heavy for a reason. But I always tell folks, it's not about lifting the whole thing. Most clogs are just leaves and trash piled up on top, not wedged way down inside. I’ve cleared a few with just a rake or even my boot, no need to mess with the grate itself. Waiting for the city is a gamble, but keeping the tops clear can make a big difference before things get out of hand. Just gotta watch your step, and don’t try to be a hero with the heavy stuff.
Yeah, those grates are no joke—seen more than a few folks try to muscle them up and regret it. Honestly, you’re spot on about just clearing the surface. Most of the time, it’s just a layer of leaves or trash blocking the water. I usually use a sturdy broom or even a snow shovel if it’s packed on there. If you see standing water and the top’s clear but it’s still not draining, that’s when you call it in. No sense risking your back or toes trying to lift those covers... they’re heavy for a reason.
No sense risking your back or toes trying to lift those covers... they’re heavy for a reason.
Couldn’t agree more—seen people try to “be a hero” and end up limping away. Those things are like mini manhole covers, not meant for one person to just yank up. I’ll clear the leaves, but if water’s still pooling, I’m not about to mess with city infrastructure. Not worth a trip to urgent care or worse. Just wish folks would stop dumping random junk down there in the first place... half the time it’s bottles and wrappers clogging it up.
Those covers are no joke—tried to budge one once when my neighbor’s yard was flooding and I instantly regretted it. Nearly threw my back out. I’ll stick to raking up the leaves and trash near the curb, but anything more than that is best left to the city crew. It’s wild how much junk ends up down there, though. One time I found a whole soccer ball wedged in the grate. Guess someone figured it’d just “disappear” if they shoved it in.
If the water’s not draining after you’ve cleared the surface, I’d just call public works. Messing with those heavy covers or poking around inside the drain is just asking for trouble, between the weight and who knows what’s down there. I wish folks would be more mindful—half the time it’s stuff that easily could’ve gone in the trash. At the end of the day, a little prevention goes a long way, but not at the expense of your back or safety.
