Basement floor drains are exactly where they should be — in your basement. They are located underneath the ground surface where they collect water from the house and drain them in the sewer. Unlike exterior drains, floor drains are usually installed when the house is constructed for the first time.
Do you need a floor drain in the basement?
Oct 06, 2021 · Basement floor drains are exactly where they should be — in your basement. They are located underneath the ground surface where they collect water from the house and drain them in the sewer. Unlike exterior drains, floor drains are usually installed when the house is constructed for the first time.
How to clear a basement drain without a snake?
Some basement floor drains lead to the sump pit where it pushes the water up through the ground outside. Water enters the catch bowl beneath the basement floor drain, goes into the drainpipe, and enters the sewer or storm drain. Low-laying basements use an ejector pump to push the wastewater into a sewer pit.
What to know about your basement floor drain?
Most basement floor drains connect to your home’s sewer system and can drain appliances like washing machines and water softeners. Some basement floor drains connect to a sump pit, which is the hole that contains the sump pump. Other basement floor drains connect to a sewer pit with an ejector pump; this is most common with basement bathrooms.
Why do I have standing water in basement floor drain?
Where does a basement drain go? 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.
Where does my foundation drain go?
The foundation drain tile drains to a sump pump, which pushes the water out and away from the foundation.Dec 20, 2017
How does the basement drain work?
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.Sep 17, 2020
Can basement sink drain into floor drain?
You cannot do that. It is against all rules of common sense, the national building codes of Canada and the US, and almost surely against the local plumbing ordinances you have. A sink needs to be connected to your sanitary sewer. The floor drain will be connected to your storm sewer.Nov 23, 2015
Does a basement need a floor drain?
Even when a basement has a finished floor, a drain is necessary in case of an emergency and for a home's maintenance. Expect the floor drain to connect to municipal sewage systems to remove wastewater, or it will connect to a collection pit where a sump pump can send the water where it needs to be treated.Jul 4, 2021
Why is my basement drain backing up?
The cause of water backing up in your basement drain could be due to the backing up of a washtub basin or a washing machine, tree roots in the drain line, pipe deterioration, or the flushing of improper objects.
Does a basement floor drain have a trap?
The floor drain is considered a sanitary fixture. That means it functions just like a toilet or sink or shower. It has a trap inside of it just as those items do, and it holds water to seal away any foul odors trying to get into your basement.
How do I clear my basement floor drain?
Start by pouring a pot of boiling hot water down the drain, followed by ½ cup baking soda. Let that sit a few minutes, then pour a mixture of one cup of vinegar and one cup of very hot water on top of the baking soda. Let it sit for five to ten minutes, then flush it one last time with another pot of boiling water.Apr 15, 2019
Where does washer drain to?
Washing machines drain into what is called a standpipe. A standpipe is a vertical piece of pipe with an elbow on the bottom. The elbow remains filled with water, preventing sewer gas from backing up into your laundry area.
Are floor drains connected to sewer?
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.Mar 11, 2020
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 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.
What are the pros and cons of French drains?
THE PROS AND CONS OF INTERIOR FRENCH DRAINS 1 Pro: Cost effective if installed during the construction of your basement; it will add $1,500 to $2,000 to the foundation bill. 2 Pro: Collects groundwater from beneath the basement floor and directs it to a collection pit via a sump pump where it is pumped away to the surface. 3 Con: An interior French drain will only remove groundwater from beneath the basement floor. It will not stop water from seeping through cracks in the basement walls. 4 Con: Installing an interior French drain in an existing basement is a major project. 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.
What is an interior French drain?
2. Interior French Drains. Interior French drains are often installed when existing homes start to have basement water problems. But, if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, it doesn’t hurt to install one when you build your home, too. Similar to exterior drain tile, an interior French drain features a perforated pipe ...
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.
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 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.
What is a floor drain?
Situated at the lowest point on the basement floor, the floor drain serves as an outlet for water from a leaking water heater, condensation from an HVAC unit or even seepage due to heavy rain. If the drain connects to the sewer system, it's suitable for draining a washing machine, water softener or basement laundry sink.
What is the catch bowl in a basement?
From the basement, only the cover grate is visible. A catch bowl, drainpipe and plumbing trap lie beneath. If your floor drain has an additional cleanout, you'll see two outlets when you remove the grate; a large drain hole at the bottom and a smaller one, with a plug, on the side. The catch bowl and drainpipe are typically made from one of three types of material.
What is a backwater valve?
You can install a backwater valve, also called a backflow valve or check valve, in the drainpipe. When sewage backs up, a float in the valve rises and seals the drain. If you install a backwater valve on the floor drain, install additional valves on any other basement fixture drains, such as tubs and showers.
Who is Glenda Taylor?
Glenda Taylor is a contractor and a full-time writer specializing in construction writing. She also enjoys writing business and finance, food and drink and pet-related articles. Her education includes marketing and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.
Why is it important to drain your basement?
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.
Why does my floor drain smell?
However, if the trap beneath the drain is dry, or if the plug for the cleanout is missing, you might smell something unple asant. You can solve this issue by replacing a missing cleanout plug, or by pouring a pitcher of water down the drain every couple weeks. When the floor drain is connected to the sewer, backflow is a concern.
Can you drain water from a sump pit?
If you connect the drain to a sump pit, it may be against your local ordinance to drain any water with detergents, salt or chemicals. 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 ...
