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Your basement floor drain is located at the lowest point of your basement, and its job is to direct any water safely away from the house and to the sewer system or municipal storm drain system. This keeps your basement floor dry and prevents flooding, which may damage personal belongings.
Should there be water in the 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.
What is the drain in the basement called?
A basement floor drain, which may also be called a foundation drain, is designed to drain any excess moisture out of your basement. It may drain into your sewer line or into your sump pump pit. Ask your plumber which type of floor drain connection you have.
How do you clean a basement floor drain?
Clear them of visible debris and use an old toothbrush to scrub away substances and any dirt you see off the edges. To further clean your drain, pour a bucket of boiling water down and wait 15 minutes. Then add a 16oz box of baking soda down the drain and make it fizzle by adding 3 cups of vinegar.
Can you put Drano in basement 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.
What causes water to come from basement floor drain?
If the water is coming up through floor drains or sink drains in the basement, then the problem is often water backing up from the municipal sanitary sewer system. During heavy rains, combined sewer systems can become overwhelmed with water. This can cause sewer water to back up in the system and sometimes into homes.
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.
What are footing drains?
A Footing Drain is an exterior foundation drainage system outside the foundation wall. Footing drains exist in both commercial and residential buildings. The drain itself is covered with gravel which allows the water to seep into the tile.
Do basement floor drains have P traps?
The humble floor drain captures overflow from sinks, toilets, tubs, rain, etc. You see, floor drains have one of those U-shaped P-trap pipes just like your bathroom sink drain. That U-shaped pipe is designed to hold water, which stands in the pipe and prevents sewer gases from coming up through the drain.
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. Gurgling and bubbling toilets are often a strong sign of a clog as well.Listen to your home: Gurgling noises in your drains or toilet. Sewer odor. Water back up or flooding. Sewage back up.
Can you plunge a basement floor drain?
If you discover your basement floor drain is clogged, it’s important to clear the blockage immediately to reduce the risks of flooding. Here’s what to do: Try a Plunger: A minor clog should clear after a few strong pumps with a plunger.
Why does my basement drain smell like sewage?
A strong sewer smell coming from your basement is most often caused from a dried out floor drain, a bad ejector pit seal, improperly vented appliances or fixtures, or even a damaged sewer line. Floor Drains – Rarely-used floor drains in your basement are typically the source of the sewer stench.
Can I pour bleach down my basement drain?
Bleach is a powerful, toxic substance that should be used carefully and properly, and pouring it down a drain is not a proper use. Bleach can react with other substances in your pipes, potentially release fumes, and further plug up the system. Pouring bleach down them will do much more harm than good.
How do you clear a blocked floor drain?
Use a plunger to loosen deep-down clogs. Pour baking soda and white vinegar down the drain; after 10 minutes, flush the drain with boiling water. If the drain is still clogged, use a plumber’s snake to snag and remove stubborn clogs.
How much does it cost to unclog a basement drain?
Most plumbers offer flat rates on basic drain cleaning, while unclogging severe drains is billed at $45 to $150 per hour plus parts.Plumber Cost To Unclog Drain. National Average Cost $216 Average Range $100 to $275.
How do I stop my basement floor drain from backing up?
Basement Floor Drain Backing up: When it Rains If it’s more than the system can handle, excess flows backwards into your home’s sewer line before overflowing down to your basement drains. To prevent this, installing a sump pump is a great way to prevent flooding in your basement caused by heavy rains.
Is my main sewer line clogged?
If more than one of these drains is slow-moving, is gurgling, has a foul smell, or has water backing up, that is signs of a clogged sewer line. Slow-flowing water is an indication that your main sewer line may have become clogged. Eventually, the wastewater is forced to back up other drain lines.
Why is my main drain backing up?
Caused by clogs or blocks in the sewer line, sewer backups occur when the sewage system gets overloaded, and waste is pushed backwards through the line and back into the home. Backups are commonly found in basement drains, toilets, and bathtub drains.
