Back-ups in floor drains may be perplexing. It’s natural to think that there’s an issue with the floor drain when this happens, but this isn’t the case. In fact, backups in a basement floor drain are often a sign of a larger plumbing issue. Find out more below.
Sediment Buildup And Clogged Drains
A single factor could be causing a clogged drain: sediment buildup. This is most likely to happen in drains where dirt or mud runoff enters it. As sediment begins to accumulate along the walls of your drain, it can create friction that prevents water from flowing properly through.
One way to prevent sediment buildup is by regularly cleaning out your drains. This may involve using a plunger or drain snake to remove any sediment or debris that has accumulated over time. You should also try using a commercial drain cleaning solution.
So, if you have standing water in your basement or floor drain backups, here’s what you need to know about the causes and how to remedy them.
Clogged Drain Lines & Floor Drain Backups
Backflows in your basement floor drain might be caused by clogs in any of your home’s drain pipes. Because the floor drain is the lowest drain in your house, wastewater will flow there first if it can’t flow to the main drain and sewage line. As a result of the backed-up main drain, wastewater will build up in the line until it overflows and backs up into the floor drain.
Drain line blockages may produce backups in the lowest fixtures in the house, such as ground-level tubs, sinks, or showers, in homes without a basement floor drain.
Sewer Line Clogs & Floor Drain Backups
Clogs in a home’s plumbing system, such as anywhere in the sewer line, may cause floor drains to back up. Sewer line obstructions, like drain line clogs, prevent wastewater from flowing. When there is nowhere for wastewater to go, it will back up until it finds a release point, which is usually a floor drain or the lowest drain in a house.
Sewer Line Damage & Floor Drain Backups
Clogs aren’t always the cause of floor drain blockages. This may occur if:
- There are cracks or holes in a sewage pipe.
- A sewer line is drooping, collapsing, or bellied.
- The sewage line has been misaligned or invaded by tree roots.
In all of these circumstances, an obstruction in the sewer line causes wastewater to back up into the residence, similar to a clog. Sewer line damage, on the other hand, might be significantly more difficult to repair than a blockage.
How To Prevent Floor Drain Back-Ups In The Basement
Because a variety of reasons may create floor drain backups, the first step in preventing one is to figure out what’s causing it. And it needs the services of a skilled plumber. A specialist will undertake the following to identify the issue and make the appropriate repairs:
- I’m going to ask you some questions: A plumber will inquire about the duration of the issue if it has occurred before, whether the backlog has a bad odor, and whether it worsens when you use plumbing fixtures. The answers to these questions will help you determine if you have a drain or sewage line issue.
- Turning on and off various fixtures may provide a plumber with firsthand knowledge about how your system is behaving (or acting up) as water runs through the drain and sewage line system.
- A video pipe inspection allows a plumber to see exactly what’s going on within the pipes, what the issue is, and where it’s located.
After this diagnostic procedure, a plumber will have all of the information he or she needs to make the best repair recommendations. The best fixes to stop basement floor drain backups may involve the following, depending on the findings:
How To Prevent Basement Floor Drain Back-Ups In The Future
Regular drain cleaning maintenance service is the greatest approach to eliminate repeat blockages in your floor drain after repair work. If your sewage lines are in excellent condition, regular drain cleaning will maintain them clear and free of the buildups that may clog and shut down your system.
While this will spare you the hassle and inconvenience of backups, it will also save you money in the long term by preventing the need for repairs or emergency plumbing assistance.
Schedule Drain & Sewer Line Service Now: Contact A Plumber
A plumber can provide you with customer-focused service and plumbing solutions, whether you’re struggling with floor drain blockages or any other plumbing issue.
A plumber understands that plumbing issues can’t wait, whether they occur during or after regular office hours. That’s why they provide free 24-hour emergency plumbing service and a 2-hour response time for any drain and sewage issues. In addition, a plumber can likely give you FREE estimates and up-front pricing.
The “floor drain backing up when flushing a toilet” is a common problem that can happen to any home. The most common cause of the issue is the floor drain being clogged.
Near your floor drain is your toilet, which can have its own issues. For more information, read our post Why Is My Toilet Gurgling?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you fix a backed-up floor drain?
A: To fix a backed-up floor drain you will need to open the pipe from the sink or toilet and then run water into it until everything is back running smoothly.
How do I stop my basement floor drain from backing up?
A: You may have a sewer drain backup. To stop this, you should switch off the main water line to your home and turn on the kitchen sink. This will pump out all of the sewage from both sinks that are connected with each other.
How do I stop water from backing up in my floor drain?
A: There are a few methods you can use to stop water from backing up in your floor drain. You could use a plunger or place some non-toxic soap down it and allow it to dissolve for ten minutes before applying a vacuum cleaner or hose. Unfortunately, there is no fool-proof way of entirely preventing floor drain backups.
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