Floor Drain Backups
If a floor drain within the home begins to flow backward or drain slowly, it could be a nightmare for homeowners. It’s more than floor drain backups that can get complicated to deal with and fix. Most of the time, floor drain backups require expert plumbers to arrive and resolve the issue. Here are some tips to help identify that complex drainage backup on the floor.
Overview of Floor Drains
Most of the time, draining plumbing fixtures are set in the lowest point of the basement of a house to stop any water, including wastewater, from soaking into the area. There are only some homes with an underground drain. Floor drains can be rectangular or round and have a grated cover that allows water to flow through the pipe. The floor drain’s size depends on the drain’s dimensions and the potential for surface water. The floor drain dimensions can range between six inches and one foot.
Floor Drain Locations
Most often, floor drains are near water fixtures in a home’s basement. They are usually next to washers and water heaters. Floor drains get typically found in commercial kitchens, shower rooms, and swimming pools. Because there is a greater potential flow of wastewater in commercial buildings, there are frequently many floor drains.
How Floor Drains Get Connected to the House’s Plumbing
The only way the floor drain gets disconnected from the water system occurs when the trench drain gets used to direct rainwater into an untreated well. In other cases, floor drains connect to the house’s plumbing system. In most cases, homeowners must install sump pumps beneath the grating on the floor drain and over the pit to remove standing water as quickly as possible. The pipe beneath the sump pit connects the flooring and the main home drain. Before the house’s main drain is associated with the city’s sewer system, it can pass through the sump pit. Sump pits for the main house drain generally are 2 feet deep.
How Do Floor Drain Backups Manifest
As previously mentioned, floor drain backups can be confusing. But, some common problems can cause the possibility of a floor drain backup.
Sump Pump Failure
Sump pumps are components of mechanical equipment and could require replacing. Make sure to keep up with manufacturer-recommended maintenance or hire a professional plumber to perform the maintenance. When the home’s drainage system gets equipped with a sump pump installation, the backup could result from the pump breaking or failing. Also, improperly installed sump pumps could cause blockages in the drains on floors. Determine what sump pump size get required for the house. Suppose the sump pump does not have adequate dimensions or capacity. In that case, the life span will diminish, resulting in frequent backups of floor drains.
Drainpipe Failure
Failures in the drainpipe are not the most frequent cause of flooding in the floor drain, but they do happen. Suppose the pipe connecting an area draining onto the basement to the drain pit breaks and opens. In that case, it creates an entryway to dirt and debris. Suppose anyone suspects this could be the reason for their house’s drainage problem. It could result in more costly repairs by DIY or amateur plumbers. In that case, it is best to contact an experienced plumber or sewer repair service. Refrain from attempting DIY plumbing solutions for possible issues with your main house drain.
How to Handle a Clogged Floor Drain
As we’ve mentioned, floor drains do not cause backups alone. Since floor drains are the lowest point of your home’s drain system, they are often the first sign of an issue with the draining system in the house. If water leaks from the floor drain, a floor drain backup is not the primary reason. A professional plumber must address any plumbing problems affecting the house’s main drain line.
However, there are some non-invasive methods homeowners can attempt before the plumber’s arrival.
Take Out the Clog
If your drain has an anti-backflow device, you can remove the filter and the backflow preventer to access the drain’s trap. If you notice a significant accumulation, it could be the reason for the floor drain to back up. Clean the clog, and then see whether this solves the issue. If it does not work, contact an expert plumber.
Homemade Cleaning Solutions
Don’t put liquid cleaner in your floor drain. If homeowners require immediate relief from a suspect blockage caused by soap or grease, attempt to make a homemade solution for cleaning into the gutter. The first step is to pour a gallon of boiling water into the drain to melt the grease. Let it soak for at most 15 minutes. Then, pour a container of baking soda into the gutter. Then add white vinegar to the drain. Finish the process with another one-quart pot of water that is boiling. It may rid the drain, but homeowners get advised to contact an experienced plumber to resolve any issues related to the floor drains.
What Can We Help?
Our experts in plumbing from Ottawa Plumbing Service have decades of combined experience in residential and commercial plumbing. For homeowners living in Ottawa, Ottawa Plumbing Service is the right choice. Contact us today at (613) 317-1682 or email us at info@ottawaplumbingservice.com to set up an appointment!
