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Drainage Cleaning

Drainage Cleaning That Keeps San Mateo County Homes Dry

Let’s be honest—nobody thinks about their drainage until something backs up. Then it’s all you can think about. A slow-draining tub in a Hillsborough split-level or a gutter downspout that’s clogged with three seasons of pine needles from those eucalyptus trees in Taylor Estates. That’s where we come in.

We’re Fox Window & Gutter Cleaning, and we’ve been clearing out drainage systems in San Mateo County for nearly two decades. We don’t just unclog the visible stuff. We clear the full line, check your downspout connections, and make sure water’s actually flowing where it’s supposed to go—away from your foundation. No guesswork, just clean pipes.

Why Neglected Drains Cause Real Headaches

When our team pulls up to a home in Lomita Park, we often find drainage that hasn’t been touched since the place was built in the 1950s. That’s decades of mineral scale, silt, and organic matter building up. At that point, it’s not a quick fix—it’s a full restoration job. We’ve seen the damage firsthand: water seeping into crawlspaces, cracking driveways, and ruining landscaping along El Camino Real. Here’s what our drainage cleaning helps with:

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Our drainage cleaning service helps with:

  • Clearing clogged downspouts that overflow during heavy winter rain
  • Flushing out mineral and hard water buildup from the local groundwater
  • Preventing foundation seepage on sloped lots in the Green Hills area
  • Restoring proper flow to slow-draining yard drains and catch basins
  • Keeping window wells and basement drains clear of debris from mature trees

Residential Drainage Cleaning Done Right

Your home’s drainage system does more work than you’d think—especially in Millbrae. One moment it’s fine, the next you’ve got a backed-up yard drain after a sudden November storm. Our residential drainage cleaning is thorough and safe. We start by inspecting your downspouts, running water through the system, and identifying the actual blockage point. For homes near SFO where salty air has corroded old metal drain covers, we take extra care to not damage brittle parts. We protect your landscaping and keep wastewater runoff limited—which matters in areas with older sewer mains, like near the Green Hills neighborhood.

We Clear:

  • Gutter downspouts and underground drain lines
  • Yard drains and catch basins on sloped properties
  • Window well drains that collect runoff from the rainy season
  • French drain systems that route water away from foundations
  • Driveway and patio drains clogged with decomposed tree debris
  • Post-construction or move-in windows

Commercial Window Cleaning

We get it—your storefront or office windows take a beating. Between the salty air drifting up from the Bay and the fine mist that rolls in with the marine layer, grime builds up fast. If you’re on Broadway in downtown Millbrae or out near El Camino Real, you know exactly what we’re talking about. When we clean your commercial windows, we’re not just making them look better—we’re helping you make a solid first impression with every customer who walks by.

We work around your schedule, whether that means early mornings before you open or after hours when the office is quiet. Our team is fully insured, so you can relax knowing we’ve got you covered. And because we’ve cleaned everything from bustling cafes to quiet medical clinics across San Mateo County, we know how to handle the unique challenges that come with commercial properties—like managing foot traffic or dealing with hard water stains that have set in over time.

Our commercial window cleaning services are ideal for:

  • Retail storefronts
  • Office buildings
  • Restaurants and cafes
  • Medical clinics and professional offices
  • HOA and apartment complexes

Our Window Cleaning Process

Cleaning windows isn't just about soap and water. We've refined our process over the years to handle the specific conditions we see in Millbrae and the rest of San Mateo County—think mineral-rich tap water that leaves chalky residue, or the sticky sap from the eucalyptus trees that line so many of our streets. Here's how we get your windows truly clean:

1. Assessment

Every job starts with a quick walkthrough, just like we do for every home in Millbrae. We count the windows, check how accessible they are, and look for trouble spots—mineral deposits, oxidation, or that fine ash from wildfire smoke that seems to settle on everything in late summer. Here's what that means for you: we catch issues early, so you're not surprised later.

2. Prep & Protection

We're careful with your space. Before we start, we lay down drop cloths and tape off sensitive areas—especially if you've got hardwood floors or a nice patio right outside. And since many homes in the Green Hills area have older sewer lines, we're mindful about where water goes when we rinse, making sure we don't create drainage problems while we work.

3. Screen & Track Cleaning

If you have aluminum-frame windows—common in the ranch-style homes built here in the '60s and '70s—you know how grime can build up in the tracks. We pull the screens out, give them a soft-brush scrub, and vacuum every nook and cranny of the track. It's the kind of detail that makes a difference, and honestly, so many companies skip it.

4. Glass Cleaning (Interior & Exterior)

We use eco-friendly, ammonia-free solutions that cut through the hard water spots left by our mineral-heavy tap water. Then we go over the glass with professional squeegees, making sure we get that streak-free finish you're after. And for those west-facing windows that cop the salty breeze from the Pacific? We'll give them a little extra attention.

5. Final Inspection

Before we wrap up, we walk the property with you and check every drain, downspout, and catchment point to make sure the water flows clear. If it doesn't, we don't leave.

Drainage Cleaning That Actually Works in San Mateo County

You might not think about your drainage system until something backs up. By then, you’re dealing with standing water, soggy foundations, or worse. We handle drainage cleaning for homes and businesses throughout San Mateo County, CA — from the sloped lots in Millbrae’s Taylor Estates to the flat commercial strips along Broadway in downtown Millbrae. Whether it’s a clogged downspout, a slow-moving yard drain, or a gutter system that’s dumping water where it shouldn’t, we’ve got the tools and the know-how to get things flowing again.

We Clean:

  • Downspouts and vertical drains
  • Yard drains and catch basins
  • French drain inlets
  • Gutter-to-drain connections
  • Driveway trench drains
  • Roof drainage outlets
  • Window well drains

What's Included in Every Drainage Cleaning Appointment?

Honestly, a lot of what we do is preventative. You don’t want to wait until November’s first big rain to find out your drainage is clogged. With only 10-15 inches of rain a year in this region, the storms we do get hit hard and fast. When the marine layer rolls in off the Pacific and the skies open up, you need every drain working. Here’s what we do at every appointment:

  • Full inspection of all drainage points
  • Debris removal from downspouts and drains
  • Flush lines with water to confirm flow
  • Clear leaves, pine needles, and eucalyptus sap
  • Check gutter-to-drain connections
  • Spot-clean window well drains

How Often Should You Get Drainage Cleaning Done?

Honestly, figuring out how often to schedule drainage cleaning in San Mateo County isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on your property’s age, the trees around it, and how much rain we’ve had lately. Here’s what we tell most folks we work with in Millbrae and the surrounding areas:

  • Every 3–6 months if you're near the coast or dealing with heavy tree debris—like those eucalyptus and pine trees we see all over the hills.
  • Quarterly for businesses or storefronts, especially along Broadway or in downtown San Mateo, where clogged drains can scare off customers.
  • Twice a year for standard home maintenance—spring and fall are usually sweet spots here.
  • Before big events, putting your house on the market, or right after a heavy storm hits—like the ones we get from November through April.
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Belmont, CABurlingame, CADaly City, CAHalf Moon Bay, CAMenlo Park, CAMillbrae, CAMountain View, CAPacifica, CAPalo Alto, CARedwood City, CASan Bruno, CASan Carlos, CASan Francisco, CASan Jose, CASan Mateo, CASanta Clara, CASouth San Francisco, CASunnyvale, CA

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