A sewage backup coming from the basement floor drain is one of the most unpleasant problems homeowners will face. This foul-smelling backup in your basement is something that must be dealt with immediately. However, it doesn’t have to end up costing you too much.
Although hiring a plumber is an easy option to deal with your basement drain backing up, the cost to fix will be between $200-500. A floor drain is more complicated than toilets or sinks and so it can be more costly to clear. However, you don’t have to pay a plumber for clearing the clog. This is a job that you can handle yourself.
In this article we will discuss how to clear a basement floor drain. We’ll also explain what can cause these types of blockages in the first place. So if your basement floor drain backing up has got you frustrated, we are here to help.
What are basement floor drains for?
Your home’s basement floor drain is an essential part of keeping it dry. They are the lowest draining part of your home and act as an egress point for storm water.
The majority of basement floor drains can be found in the middle of the floor. Most floors are sloped towards the drain.
Like other fixtures within the house’s plumbing, water entering the basement floor drain goes through a P trap. This acts as a barrier to prevent sewer odors entering the home before it travels down the drainpipe to a city sewer line or the home’s septic system.
Cleanouts are located under floor drains. These cleanouts bypass the trap and allow you, or a plumber, to reach the line in case of a blockage. Cleanouts usually have a cap that can be removed to allow for service.
How to identify a problem with a basement drain line
You should know that the drain lines for all your home’s toilets, sinks, and tubs lead to a main drain line. If this is blocked, water and other waste will backflow to the lowest exit which is the basement drain.
Slow draining
Slow drains are evident when your tub fills up while you take a shower or the sink fills up as you brush your teeth. Slow drains can be caused by hair or soap residue.
This material eventually flows through the main drain of your house. The 4-inch main sewer pipe of a house is double the width of the 1-1/2-inch or 2-inch drains running throughout the house. However, the main sewer pipe must be able to handle a greater flow of liquids and solids which can lead to blockages.
Slow drains in one sink, toilet, or shower could indicate a blockage in the 2-inch drain pipe. If all of the drains within a house are slow it is likely that there is an obstruction in the basement sewer line.
Foul Odors
Another sign that the basement drain is not working properly is a foul-smelling basement. If foul smelling sewer gases are present, it means the sewer line has backed up and sewer water has back flowed into your basement.
Air bubbles present in toilets and drains
Bubbles in your toilets or drains can also indicate a blocked line. This is caused by the negative pressure created by a blockage. Instead of air moving through the line filled with waste and water, the air is hitting a block, which causes the air to return through the lines creating bubbles.
It could be that your main drain line, toilet drain, or vent stack, which is located on top of your roof, is blocked.
Sewage draining out of cleanout pipe
A cleanout pipe is a capped pipe that allows you and the plumber to access the drain line in order to clear an obstruction or for maintenance. They are typically located in the basement.
A cleanout pipe usually has a removable cap, but sewage water may break through the cap when there is a back up. If sewage is seen flowing out of the cleanout tube, you most likely have a blockage in the main sewer line.
Why are drains in basement backing up?
Main sewer line bogged
- Grease buildup. Grease is water-soluble but sticky so it won’t pass through drain pipes well. Grease will stick to the sewer lines over time and eventually cause the pipes to burst. Avoid dumping grease into the main sewer. To remove grease from the pipes, you can pour boiling water down your drain at least once per month.
- Rust. Galvanized pipes in older homes are more susceptible to corrosion. The pipe can become rusty and eventually stop flowing. Although there are some temporary solutions to a rusty pipeline, eventually it must be replaced with PVC. Unfortunately, a very costly option and should only be done by professionals.
- Improperly flushed items. Paper towels, baby wipes, toilet paper wads, cotton swabs and toys can all get stuck in the main sewer line, causing a blockage. Good flushing practices include only using toilet paper and not stuffing it with too much.
- Debris, Hair & Dirt. The average human sheds between 50-100 hairs per day. Most of this shedding takes place in the bathroom. A lot of hair can end up in your drains. Although shorter hairs are more likely to pass, long hairs could become stuck in the main sewer lines, causing a blockage. Install a drain cover for your showers to catch hair from entering your main sewer line.
Damage to the sewer lines
Sometimes, the cause of damage to a basement line is not related to how it’s used. Lines can be damaged and broken by outside forces. Some examples are tree roots and freezing temperatures.
Unfortunately, broken lines must be dug up, repaired or replaced. This can involve digging in the basement or the backyard, depending on the location. It is best to leave this complicated and costly repair to professionals.
Basement floor drain blockage
Sometimes, backed-up basement drains are not caused by the main sewer line. It is very possible that the basement drain itself has become blocked. The most likely place of the blockage is in the P trap because of its tight bends.
The P-shape is a perfect place for debris and other obstructions to accumulate. A simple plumber snake might be enough to clear the clog.
Vent pipe is clogged
Have you ever wondered what the pipes that protrude from your roof are used for? One of these is a vent used in your home’s plumbing system. This vent regulates the pressure of the plumbing system, allowing for odors to escape and keeping things running smoothly.
These pipes can also be used as nesting spots for birds. This could cause the vent to close, causing high air pressure and slow drainage. If you are not having problems with the main sewer drain, then climb up to the roof to inspect the vent pipe.
Too much water being drained
Sometimes, the problem can be that there is too much water for the drains to handle.
Other factors that can reduce the capacity for drainage include older pipes with narrow diameters, partial clogs and buildup. These can all decrease the flow rate of your pipe and can cause backflow when you drain too much.
How to deal with a basement drain backup?
Once you have identified the issue causing the backup in your basement, it’s time for you to fix it. How do you tackle the problem? There are a few options.
It’s best to start with the easiest approach, and then work your way up. This section will show you how to properly and safely deal with a basement floor drain backing up.
Step 1. Safety first
Start by making sure you take the necessary safety precautions if there is standing water in your basement. Standing water can be dangerous because of the live power lines that run through the entire home. Start by turning off the power at the circuit box in the basement.
Protect yourself from bacteria and pathogens found in sewer water by using gloves and goggles.
Step 2. Remove any standing water
You will need to remove any standing water from the floor.
Turn off the main water supply to your house so that water levels do not rise.
To pump water from the basement, you can use a sump pump that is portable and has a hose which you can pass through the window.
Step 3. Clean the trap
After the water has dried up, you will be able to access the drain. Next, clean out the P-trap. Remove the grate cover and pull out the backflow stopper if there is one. To clear the P trap, use a dry-dry vacuum or a small plumbing snake. This will resolve the issue if the P trap is clogged.
Step 4. Utilize a plunger and/or chemicals
These methods are affordable and easy to use before you get into the more expensive solutions for those stubborn clogs.
Plunger
Plungers are used to clear clogs. They create suction, which puts pressure on the blockage and pushes it out of the pipe. For minor blockages caused by toilet paper and other objects, a plunger can be used. To make a plunger work you need to create an airtight seal around your drain. To achieve this seal, you might need to add a little water around the drain.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
If you do not have a plunger, this is an easy home fix that will remove mild clogs. Pour hot water into your floor drain. Add 1/2 cup baking soda into the floor drain. Next, add 1/4 cup vinegar. Seal the floor drain with a lid and let it sit for 10 minutes.
When the solution is combined, it produces a fizzing reaction strong enough to break down clogs. Once the solution has had time to do its thing, flush the drain with more hot water.
Coca-cola
Although this may sound strange considering it is a drink, Coca-Cola has a lot of phosphoric acid. This is great for clearing out clogged drains.
This method involves dumping a 2-liter glass bottle down the drain. After that, let it sit for about an hour so it can work its way through the blockage. Flush the drain with hot water.
Drano
Drano is a controversial product among plumbers. It contains powerful chemicals which can dissolve tough clogs. However, these chemicals can over time melt pipes or break down glue that holds PVC pipe together. Many plumbers recommend against Drano when clearing a clog. You can also use it to clear a clog.
Drano, however, is more efficient than any of the other home remedies, due to its ability melt clogs. Drano can be used in a few simple steps. You simply need to open the container, empty the contents down the drain and wait for about 20 minutes before you rinse it with hot water.
Use at your own risk!
Snake the drain
Don’t give up if all the previous steps have not worked. You can’t go wrong by using a drain snake (aka, auger). While the solutions above are mainly chemical, a drain snake will actually physically work to remove the clog.
A manual drain snake is a flexible, long metal cable that has a coil at one end and a rotating handle at the other. The coiled end of the auger should be inserted into the drain. Push it through the trap. Use the handle end to unwind the auger metal into the hole. You should rotate the auger slowly until it touches the clog.
Rotate the head around until you feel the obstruction. Keep going until the obstruction is gone. If the tip becomes stuck, you can pull it out with the rest of the obstruction.
Step 5. Clean up
After the problem has been resolved, don’t forget to clean up. There are many health hazards associated with sewage backup, some of which are very serious. Some of these include Hepatitis A and Dysentery. Sewer gases produced by sewage can also make you sick.
It is important to do a thorough cleaning after the clog has been cleared. Start by getting rid of any objects that have been damaged due to the backflow. You should throw away soft items like pillows or towels.
Use soap and water to clean the area. Follow up by using some bleach which will kill any bacteria left by the sewage.
Conclusion
Although clogged basement drains are a nuisance, homeowners can fix the problem with basic tools like a plunger, manual plumber snake, and common household items such as vinegar, baking soda, or even soda. A clogged basement floor drain will require a plumber if the methods we provided do not alleviate the clogged drain.
An ounce of prevention can prevent a lot of problems. Regular cleaning of the main sewer lines in your house with a manual plumber snake or cleaning enzymes is a good way to prevent a basement floor drain clog.
No matter what strategy you use, ensure that safety precautions are taken when handling sewage backups to avoid electroshock and dangerous bacteria. We hope that all your basement floor drain overflowing problems become a thing of the past.
