HOW DOES A BASEMENT FLOOR DRAIN WORK? The basic idea behind a basement floor drain is extremely simple – you install a drain in the lowest part of your basement, which then siphons the water out of your home to prevent flooding. The drain is covered with a grate of some form so that the basement remains a usable space in your home.
What to know about your basement floor drain?
Basement floor drains don't get a lot of attention until the sewer backs up or the basement smells like an outhouse. Many basement floor drains tie directly to the home's sewer system, but in some communities, local building codes require floor drains to run to a sump pit, where a pump lifts the water to the exterior surface of the house.
What to do when your basement floor drain is clogged?
- Place the cup of the plunger nicely over the basement floor drain opening.
- Start plunging gently to engage the plunger to the floor.
- Plunge aggressively for about 2 minutes.
- Lift off the plunger and check if the standing water will start to drain properly.
- Plunge some more if needed.
How to unclog a sewer drain in basement?
Unclogging a Basement Floor Drain
- Plunger A bathroom go-to, this easy solution to bathroom issues is a classic. ...
- Gentle Abrasive Cleaners Similar to if you were trying to get a stain out of a shirt or remove some grit from your tile grout, a gentle abrasive can ...
- Drain Snake
Why did my basement floor drain back up?
[8 Ways To Fix It]
- 8 Reasons Why Basement Drains Can Back Up. Drain backups occur when hair, soap scum, and other debris plug the drains in your basement. ...
- Tips To Avoid Backing Up Basement Drain. You might be thinking about building a new basement drainage system. ...
- FAQs. Question: How much does it cost to unclog a basement drain? ...
- Bottom Line. That’s it all! ...
Where does the drain in the basement floor go?
At the lowest point on your basement floor, the floor drain acts as the outlet for any unwanted water, whether it's from a heavy rain, condensation from your HVAC unit, or a leaking water heater. The drain can connect to one of three things, either to the sewer system or to a sump pit.
Is there supposed to be water in basement floor drain?
Yes, floor drains should have water in them. They contain drain traps that keep them clean. Therefore, it is necessary to have a fixed volume of water in your drain. Ideally, many suggest maintaining the water level at least 2-3 inches below the drain.
Is my basement drain connected to the sewer?
What most people don't know is that their home basement floor drains are usually directly tied to the sewer system of the whole house. In some houses, they even run directly into a sump pit from which the water is lifted to the exterior surface with a pump.
Do basement floor drains go to sump pump?
Many basement floor drains tie directly to the home's sewer system, but in some communities, local building codes require floor drains to run to a sump pit, where a pump lifts the water to the exterior surface of the house.
How do I know if my basement drain is clogged?
The most telltale sign of a main line sewer drain clog is water backing up out of the basement floor....Listen to your home:Gurgling noises in your drains or toilet.Sewer odor.Water back up or flooding.Sewage back up.
Why is water coming up from basement floor drain?
There are several common reasons for water seeping up through your basement floor, including backed up or collapsed drains, leaking pipes or appliances, a cracked foundation, clogged gutters, and poor drainage.
How do I clear my basement floor drain?
Try a Plunger: A minor clog should clear after a few strong pumps with a plunger. Place the plunger cup so it completely covers the drain opening, and then go for it! Baking Soda & Vinegar: Plunger didn't do the trick? Try pouring baking soda down the drain, then chase it with a healthy amount of white vinegar.
How do you tell if a floor drain has a trap?
Pour some water down the drain --> disconnect the drain --> take a flashlight and look into the drain where it enters the floor --> if the drain pipe has water in it then it likely has a trap.
How do you clean a basement floor drain?
Pour the vinegar down the drain to kill the accumulated bacteria and eliminate the sewer gas odors. Let that sit for 10 minutes. Flush the vinegar with more boiling water, and then repeat the entire process several times until the drain is sufficiently clean and odor free.
Why does my floor drain keep backing up?
When water backs up out of a floor drain, it usually means there is a clog in the drain line, not the floor drain itself. When there is a clog in the main building drain and water is run down a drain from an upper fixture, water will back up in the drain line until it finds somewhere else to come out.
Can I put Drano in my basement floor drain?
Can you put Drano in a basement floor drain? Yes, Drano is safe to put down most drains. If one bottle does not clear the sewage backup you will need to use a plumber's snake.
When I flush the toilet water comes up in the basement?
If your basement floor drain backs up when the toilet is flushed, it's caused by a blockage in your home's sewer line. The most common source of these blockages is flushing items that aren't meant to be flushed, but tree roots invading the sewer line can also cause blockages. This is not a DIY fix.
Are drains supposed to have water in them?
The first answer is YES: Your sewer drains should hold water in certain locations. The reason for the water in the drainage fixture is to prevent rodents and smells entering the building. For example a toilet pan has water in its bowl always this is to prevent foul smells entering the building.
Should there be standing water in sewer drain?
If you see any sewage or water around the outside of that cap, you definitely have a blocked sewage drain. If you pull off the cap and see standing water inside the sewer cleanout, that's also indicative of a blocked sewer drain.
Why can I see water in my drain?
Most Common Reason for Standing Water in Sewer Lines Sewer bellies are the most common reason for standing water to develop in your sewer line. Essentially, a sewer belly is a bend or break in your sewer line that disrupts the flow of water, and creates a backup.
How do I stop water from coming up my basement drain?
The best way to prevent a basement drain from backing up is to install a reverse valve that prevents water from coming back through the drain.
Do You Need a Floor Drain in the Basement?
So, is a basement floor drain that necessary? Is it something you can do without?
Basement Floor Drains Design – How Basement Floor Drains Work
From the surface, the only thing you can see is the cove grate. The drain connections are done underneath the floor of the basement.
How to Unclog a Basement Floor Drain
Unclogging a basement floor drain is not as simple as unclogging a kitchen sink drain. You first need to understand how the drain works.
What is a Floor Drain?
There are many types of drainage systems when it comes to home foundations and basements. Unlike exterior drain tiles or interior French drains, floor drains are almost always installed during the original construction of the home. They’re built so that the concrete floor immediately surrounding the drain slopes inward so that water can collect in the drain and be carried away from the house.
Where does floor drain water go?
Most floor drains today direct water toward a collection pit where it is then pumped out to the surface of the property via a sump pump. This is different than lots of older homes where the floor drainage system connected directly to the main sewer system.
Why is my basement so humid?
Ever wonder why basements tend to be more humid and are more likely to take on water than other areas of the house? Well, it’s because they’re located below grade, or underneath the ground’s surface and that’s just how water flows, thanks to gravity.
Do floor drains prevent water from leaking?
One additional con to note however, is that floor drains will not do anything to prevent water from leaking through the ceiling or the wall s.
Can you install a floor drain in a basement?
While floor drains are vital when it comes to collecting standing water from a variety of sources — whether it be a leaky water heater, a faulty air conditioner condensate line or extensive rain water — they are difficult to install in existing basements.
Why is a basement floor drain important?
Without it, there would be no place for water to exit, leaving your lowest level in disarray. Knowing how your basement floor drain works, and why it is important, is essential for when an emergency strikes.
What is the purpose of a basement drain?
At the lowest point on your basement floor, the floor drain acts as the outlet for any unwanted water, whether it’s from a heavy rain, condensation from your HVAC unit, or a leaking water heater. The drain can connect to one of three things, either to the sewer system or to a sump pit.
Why do drains smell bad?
However, if the trap beneath the drain is dry, or if the plug for the cleanout is missing, you might smell something unpleasant. You can solve this issue by replacing a missing cleanout plug, or by pouring a pitcher of water down the drain every couple weeks.
What is the third connection in a basement drain?
The third connection is if your basement floor is lower than where the main sewer line leaves your home. Here, your drain will connect to a sewer pit with an ejector pump. This is not the same as a sump pit, so draining a washing machine or sink is suitable in this situation. For your home’s basement floor drain, ...
What happens when a drain is connected to a sewer?
When the floor drain is connected to the sewer, backflow is a concern. A clog in the main drain can force sewage to seep up through the floor drain, but that can be stopped with a backflow valve. When water or sewage backs up, a float in the valve will rise with it and seal the drain.
Where is the drain hole on a floor?
There may be an additional cleanout for your floor drain, which will be a second outlet when you remove the grate. The large drain hole is at the bottom, and a smaller one with a plug is on the side. Newer drains come from PVC piping, particularly the catch bowl and drainpipe.
Can a sump pump backflow?
Those with drains connected to a sump pit don’t need to worry about backflow too much, but in times of heavy rain, water can back up through the drain if the sump pump fails. Keeping your basement floor drain clear of clogs and readily prepared for potential backups can save you from major flooding issues. For more information on your home’s ...
What is the purpose of floor drains?
3. Floor Drains. Floor drains are most often installed during original construction, often in the utility area, to drain away excess water in the basement. The concrete floor around the drain gently slopes towards it, encouraging water to collect there and drain out.
Why do basements take up water?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, basements are more likely to take on water than any other part of your home because they’re below grade, i.e., located below the ground’s surface. While drainage provisions don’t eliminate the possibility of flooding entirely (yes, some do eventually fail), they’re usually made during the construction of a new home in an attempt to prevent standing water downstairs. Older homes constructed before building codes required basement drainage are at an even greater risk of water getting in and staying in the basement.
How high does a pedestal sump pump sit?
A pedestal sump pump attaches to a pole and sits an average of four to eight inches above the collection pit. A float—much like the one in a toilet tank—rises with the level of the water and then, when it reaches a certain height, activates the sump pump to push the water to the surface.
How does a sump pump work?
When the water in the collection pit reaches a certain level (usually a few inches), the sump pump kicks on and pumps the water through a pipe or hose to the surface of your yard, where it drains away naturally. Submersible sump pumps are the more powerful of the two options, and their price reflects that.
How deep should a sump pump be?
A submersible sump pump is placed in a collection pit located below floor level. Most pits are approximately two feet wide and one-and-a-half feet deep , although pits up to three feet deep can be installed if groundwater is a problem in your area. A small pit will fill up more quickly, causing the pump to cycle on more frequently, but a deeper pit is more difficult to clean out and maintain. When the water in the collection pit reaches a certain level (usually a few inches), the sump pump kicks on and pumps the water through a pipe or hose to the surface of your yard, where it drains away naturally.
How much does it cost to break out concrete?
Concrete must be broken out, which requires drilling through the floor and using a jackhammer. Plan to spend $7,000 to $15,000, or more, depending on the size of your basement and the thickness of the existing concrete.
How deep should a trench be for a basement drain?
A trench approximately 1-foot-wide and 1-foot deep is necessary to contain the drainage pipe and the gravel. While some drains are covered with a grate, which can be removed for future maintenance, others are left uncovered if the basement is used only for storage.
Why do we need floor drains?
Floor drains provide a way for water to escape the home. Floor drains are an effective way to remove excess water from a home. In many older homes, floor drains are part of the basement design, built in to prevent water damage to the house and its contents.
What is the mechanics of a floor drain?
Mechanics. The basic mechanics of an old floor drain are simple: Gravity moves the water from the house. The floor drain is installed at the lowest point in a floor built to slope toward it.
Why do drain plugs need to be replaced?
The plugs can get rusted out and damaged by corrosion. When this happens, the plug must be replaced. In some floor drains, the cleanout bypasses the U trap, so the plug must be maintained in good condition to keep sewer gases out of the home.
Why do drain pipes dip down?
The water-filled trap prevents noxious sewer gases from backing up into the home. Drains with a trap also must have a vent to the air outside the home to maintain neutral air pressure in the system, allowing water to flow freely.
Can a septic tank drain into a ditch?
If the home has a septic tank, some old floor drains may lead instead to drainage ditches, dry wells or leach fields, to avoid flooding the septic system. Newer floor drains may also utilize pumps to move water when necessary.
Can a floor drain be unclogged?
Unclogging a floor drain is no different than unclogging other wastewater pipes. Blocked floor drains can sometimes be cleared using a plunger. In other cases, using the cleanout plug may be necessary. More advanced methods may call on a plumber's skills and equipment. In some cases, inserting a water hose into the drain as far as it will go and turning it on may be sufficient to flush the debris out.
What causes a basement floor drain to clog?
A lot of things can contribute to your basement floor drain getting clogged. Here, we name only the most common ones that may hamper your drainage system. Tree roots – A tree root invasion of the sewer system is seen primarily in older homes. Tree roots can be detected from the gurgling sound produced in the waterline.
Why install a backup gate in basement drain line?
Installing a backup gate in your basement floor drain line is a one time investment and you’ll definitely be thankful later for making this decision. It will help avoid your own a home’s waste backing up. And it will prevent the foul smelling waste from your neighbors from backing up the main neighborhood sewer line and flooding your home.
How to unlock a backflow ball?
Start the process by turning on the backflow preventer and removing the cap of the trap. Then drive a cold chisel against one of notches in the retaining ring. Next, unlock the backflow ball by rotating the chisel counterclockwise.
Why is my basement drain slow?
Hair – If you don’t have drain screens over your basement floor drain, it’s easy for hairs to accumulate and cause slow flow or total blockage .
What is the difference between an electric snake and a plumber's auger?
The real difference is in power. An electric snake has more power and a longer cable, and can be operated hands-free, but you will find its cost can be high. So the plumber’s drum auger is a popular option, whether it’s a powered or manual. It may not be hands-free but it comes with a more affordable price tag. If price is not a problem, an electric snake will more efficiencly clean out your clogged basement floor drain.
Can you use chemical drain cleaner?
Our main advice with using chemical drain cleaners to unclog a drain is to never handle the project by yourself. We strongly advise you hire professional plumber. Many of these chemicals are combustible and can cause serious injury to you, your home and your sewer system.
