When it rains in South Florida, your drainage system becomes your first line of defense. But if rain leaders and downspouts are clogged—or not installed at all—water can quickly end up where it doesn’t belong: around your foundation, near entrances, or even coming back through your drains.
In this post, we’ll explain how these systems work, what happens when they fail, and how installing or maintaining rain leaders can help protect your home or commercial property during storm season.
What Are Rain Leaders—and Why Do They Matter?
Rain leaders (also called vertical leaders) are vertical pipes that direct rainwater from your roof into a drainage system—either above ground or into an underground storm line. They’re often paired with downspouts and help ensure that water is channeled safely away from your property.
But here’s the thing: many properties don’t have rain leaders installed at all—or the ones they have are clogged and not functioning.
How Clogs or Missing Rain Leaders Lead to Drainage Problems
Without a properly working rain leader and storm drain system, this is what can happen:
Rainwater builds up in your gutters or spills off the roof.
It collects around the base of your property—creating pressure against your structure or entryways.
The water can seep through doors, slab cracks, or even back up through exterior drains and floor drains inside the property.
If the storm line it’s connected to is also clogged, this water has no place to go—leading to puddles, backups, or water damage.
Common Warning Signs
Water spilling over gutters or pooling near downspouts
Gurgling or slow indoor drains during/after rain
Flooding near doors, patios, or sidewalks
Water bubbling out of exterior cleanouts
No visible system directing water away from the building
Don’t Have a Rain Leader? Now’s the Time to Install One
If your home or building doesn’t have a rain leader installed—or if you’re unsure where your stormwater goes—it’s a smart move to have one added before the next storm.
At Zoom Drain Broward, we install rain leaders and downspouts that connect seamlessly with your existing storm system. We can also assess your storm drain capacity and recommend the best way to redirect water safely off your property.
In many cases, property owners are unaware that a video pipe inspection can reveal hidden issues inside rain leaders and underground storm lines—such as root intrusion or pipe misalignment—that aren’t visible from the surface. When downspouts overflow or rainwater collects near the foundation, it may indicate the need for a sewer cleaning service to remove built-up debris. At Zoom Drain Broward, we combine professional inspections with preventative cleaning to ensure your stormwater drainage system flows freely before the next heavy rain.
How Zoom Drain Can Help
Whether you already have rain leaders that need cleaning or you need a full installation, we’ve got you covered:
Rain Leader Installation: We install new systems designed to handle South Florida’s rain, connect to underground lines, and protect your property from flooding.
Storm Line Cleaning: We remove buildup in existing storm drain systems and underground lines.
Video Inspection Services: We use a waterproof camera to check for hidden clogs or damage underground.
Preventative Maintenance Plans: Stay ahead of the storm with scheduled cleaning and inspections.
Take Control of Your Stormwater System
Whether you’re dealing with water pooling around your building or just want to be proactive, installing and maintaining your rain leaders and storm drains can make a huge difference.
Need a rain leader installed or cleaned? Contact Zoom Drain Broward today and let’s keep water where it belongs—away from your property.