What is the drain in the basement for?

Anatomy of 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.

Moreover, what is the drain in the basement floor?

A floor drain is installed at the lowest point of a property – the floor of the basement. This is a multi-functional drain that serves as the exit point for wastewater from various sources. Some examples are if your water heater leaks, HVAC units (due to condensation or leaking), or seepage through your basement wall.

Secondly, how do I clean out my basement sewer? Basement Clogged Drain Tips

Clean your drains regularly.
To further clean your drain, pour a bucket of boiling water down and wait 15 minutes.
If you want to attempt clearing a clogged floor drain yourself, rent a power auger with 50 ft or more of cable and follow the instructions for use.

Considering this, should I see water in my basement floor drain?

To test, just pour a glass of water down the drain. The water level should not rise no matter how much water you pour down the drain. anoopi wrote: There is supposed to be water in those drains. Drains are meant to trap water in order to prevent harmful sewer gases from entering your home.

How does plumbing work in a basement?

Basement Bathrooms Work Against Gravity The drains and toilets in your house empty into your main sewer pipe because of gravity. The new toilet and sink in your basement will be lower than the sewer pipe, so they won't be able to empty by draining. Instead, the waste and water has to be pumped out.

39 Related Question Answers Found

Where does the drain in my basement floor 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.

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.

What causes a basement drain to back up?

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.

How do you snake a floor drain in the basement?

Tutorial

Remove the cover from the drain.
Look inside the drain.
Use the shop vacuum to suck out dirt, gunk and and water from the P-trap.
Remove the cap from the clean-out plug.
Insert the tip of the snake or plumber's auger into the clean-out pipe.
Drive the tip of the auger or snake down into the pipe.

Is city responsible for sewer backup?

When the subject of sewer backups comes up, City representatives have consistently stated that the law holds a municipality responsible for sewer backups only if the problem is caused by a defect, and not if “the sewage backup was caused by a rain event greater than what the sewage system was designed to carry.”

Does washing machine drain into sewer line?

Washing machine drains are fed by an electric pump, which moves water from inside the cleaning drum, through a flexible drain hose on the underside of the machine, and out into your home sewer system where it makes its way out of the house.

Can I use a basement floor drain for a shower?

In a home where the main drain is above the basement floor level, or in a basement without drainage provisions, you can still add a shower. You'll need to install an up-flush system, however, to pump the water from the shower into your home's main drain.

How much does it cost to unclog a basement drain?

While price varies depending on the market and the severity of the clog, Young from Legacy Plumbing says the average cost to clear a tub, kitchen or bathroom drain runs $109 to $214. Removing a clog from a laundry drain costs between $151 to $214, and remedying a toilet clog ranges from $109 to $273.

Does floor drain need vent?

The floor drain trap will need it's own vent, though once you are above floor level with the vent, you may make horizontal runs and tie into other vent pipes provided the sizing is appropriate. Some codes allow a mechanical venting device, which obviates the need to run the vent outside somehow.

What is the difference between floor trap and floor drain?

What is the difference between floor clean out and floor trap? A floor trap has a reservoir of water to keep gasses from the sewer lines from getting in the room. It will also have an area where smaller heavy objects get caught and can be removed.

Can I plug my basement floor drain?

When flood water overloads the main sewer lines, it backs up into the basement floor drains of many homes. To stop sewage backflowing into your home, you must physically block it. The easiest way to do this is with a drain plug. There are many types of drain plugs available at most home improvement stores.

Can a washing machine drain into a floor drain?

Draining a washer into a floor drain depends on where the floor drain connects. For example, if the floor drain connects to a sump pit that discharges the wastewater to the outside of the home, then you can not drain your washing machine into the floor drain.

How do I get the smell out of my basement floor drain?

If you smell a funny stench or odor coming from your floor drain, it's very likely your P-trap is dry. Simply pour a few gallons of water to re-establish the proper water barrier. You can add a small amount of vinegar to help remove any persistent odors.

How do I stop water from coming into my basement floor?

The most effective way to keep water out of your basement is to install an interior drainage system that minimizes hydrostatic pressure. By installing drain tile along the joint where the floor meets the wall, where most water leakage occurs, you can capture water before it makes its way onto the basement floor.

Can I put Drano in a floor drain?

Drano^® Clog Removers can unclog a drain fast. You can use Drano^® Clog Removers to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or clogged bathtub, but DO NOT use them in toilets. For clogged or slow-running drains, apply the product and let it work 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.

Will Drano unclog sewer line?

Bust a Sewer Clog With Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaner

It's hardly ever a good idea to put Drano or a similar product in the toilet because it contains sodium hydroxide, which generates heat and can damage the pipes. An enzyme-based main line cleaner is safer, but it takes longer to work.

Why does my basement smell like sewer?

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. Most floor drains also include a cleanout plug inside that sometimes doesn't get replaced.