Basement Floor Drain Problems?
Purchased our home about 1 year ago and our main floor drain in the basement near the laundry room has backed up at least four times. In summary we have got basement floor drain problems. The backup generally happens when we are not home, so we are not exactly sure what is causing it.
Water seems to be the only thing coming up from the drain, and it doesn’t really smell like we think it would if it were sewage. That is a relief because I have heard of some really messy drain problems that other people have had to endure, smelly drains and sewerage outflows.
Generally it backs up and then all of the water eventually drains down, it is just slow. The house was built in 1980, so it is not real old and the drainage system should be good. Any suggestions on what we can try before spending a lot of money?
Editors comment:
Everyone experiences blocked drain problems and they are not an enjoyable occurrence. If the drain is completely blocked, the bathtub, shower, sink or toilet become full of water. By the time all that water has piled up, it’s too late to use drain clearing products or quick fixes, as the blockage lies deep in the pipework. A more obstinate blockage will cost more to clear. It is only after encountering a situation like multiple drain blockages at home that you realise the importance of regular drain inspections and a maintenance program.
The drain system can be compared to a machine, tool or automobile you possess. The system requires regular inspection and maintenance. As you are most familiar with the behavior of your drains, be vigilant regarding what is going on with your drains and pipes and perform some of the examination yourself. If you want to get rid of all the drainage problems and associated expenses, all you need to do is have an experienced plumber to check your drains regularly. Dynorod are a good company to call upon. To employ preventative maintenance, you must also get a drains contractor snake all your pipelines and give a complete check annually. In case the drain clogs occur regularly there is a need to snake drain lines more than once per annum. The major drain connections should periodically be subjected to video inspections.
The best solution to drain problems is regular maintenance and the services of a good drains contractor.
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Might be roots that have broken through the pipe. You could try snaking it.
Does it drain to an ejector pump? Might be your ejector pump going or trash in the barrel.
i would go to lowes or home depot and buy a baloon. it screws to your water hose. attatch, place in drain and turn water on. it should clear your line if it is only trash and/or leaves. only costs 7 or 8 dollars.
I concur about the roots. Another problem would be a partial plug away from the house, possibly near the street. I had this same problem in Minneapolis, MN. The best thing is to bite the bullet and get a plumber out to the house and to snake the line. You probably could do it yourself, but the Pro’s have cable snakes that can reach all the way to the street.
You may also want to see if the drain backs up after you do laundry (washer). Mine would back up after doing the wash, hence no bad smell, but I could see sewage in the water.
My guess is the floor drain is tied into the storm water drain. If it has been wet/rainy I would definately say yes. If you have a sump pump, run water into the floor drain and see if it empties into the sump crock. If it was sewage backing up, it would probably be pretty obvious but to test the theory, fill the bath tub and dump it and see if water comes up the floor drain. But considering it does it when you’re not home, I doubt it is sewage.
If it’s causing a problem, you can fix it 1 of 2 ways, install a new floor drain that has a ball inside of it to prevent backflow, or have a backwater valve installed, both do the same thing.
Sounds like you have a clogged drain. Water from a sink or laundry nearby is most likely the source. I would run water and see if you can get it to back up. I would avoid using any chemical to clear the drain, these contain acid and are terrible for pipes. Laundry lines put a lot of lint and soap residue in the drains and if it is set in a concrete floor the line could have a grading issue. I would suggest having Roto-Rooter come out and take a look. They should give you a free estimate for the drain cleaning.
We’ve had similar problems. We bought our house two years ago. This spring and last spring the same kind of thing happened – water would start draining slowly, then eventually back up completely. We had to have the plumber come out and snake the line. They say for a more permanent fix we’ll probably have to dig out and replace the line from the house to the city’s line. They say it’s probably tree roots growing into the pipe. The snaking costs around $100. The replacement will be around $3000. It’s worth it to me though to have peace of mind. Good luck.