Drain tiles are perforated PVC pipes installed beneath the foundation of your home to collect ground water, channel it away from your basement, and direct it towards a sump pit, where a sump pump further removes it from your property. Like any drainage system, clogs may develop over time – when they do they may indicate something isn’t functioning as it should do – such as intrusion into your basement or crawl space, lush grass growth in its vicinity, or an appearance of sinkholes along any of piping leading from basement to outside – these could all indicate your drain tiles may need maintenance.
If your basement floor drains are clogged, there are various solutions for clearing them out. One quick way is using a drain snake or auger; this DIY option should work effectively; just be careful not to damage your waterproofing installation during this process if using professional waterproofers installed them; using plumbing snakes may void warranties altogether.
Pouring Drano down your drains may also be beneficial; this method should generally be safe if they’re sewage drains; however, not all basement drainage systems include them. Before trying this solution on your own system, read and follow all product labels to determine its safety for use.
Hydrostatic pressure often results in basement leaks, leading to cracks that allow water to seep into your space and eventually cause structural damage to your home. Drain tile offers an affordable yet effective way of combatting water infiltration issues in basements.
If your basement drain tile system becomes clogged, you must act quickly to unclog it as soon as possible. A clogged basement drain can become an incubator for mold growth that poses serious health threats, not to mention creating an inviting home environment for mold to take hold and spread further throughout your home.
As most basement drain clogs can usually be resolved fairly easily using one of the methods outlined below, most can be handled without professional help if your clog is mild; otherwise it might be prudent to hire a plumber immediately in order to prevent structural damage to your home from severe blockages.
Unclogging Basement Drain Tile There are multiple ways you can unclog your basement drain tile, but the most effective is with a cable machine. This powerful tool can easily clear away most drain clogs. These machines can usually be found for rent at hardware and home improvement stores.
Locate all basement floor drain openings that slope downward. Work your way from these starting from downhill drains until all sediment has left their drains.
Installing a new drain system from a reputable basement waterproofing contractor is the key to preventing basement drain clogs. Today’s modern drain systems are designed to clog less frequently and install faster; additionally they require less removal of floor material during installation.