Drain tiles can help control groundwater on both the exterior and interior of a home, where they prevent pooling against foundation footers and walls, and in the basement with sump pumps to divert basement water away from it. As with all exterior drainage systems, however, drain tiles may become clogged with soil sediments over time and no longer function correctly – potentially leading to serious issues including flooding in your basement.
Unclogging a floor drain tile can be accomplished using different strategies. One effective option is using a plunger; this works best in most instances and can often be completed at home. If this does not do the trick, baking soda and white vinegar may help break up and dissolve clogs as well; for more serious clogs a mechanical drain cleaning machine may be required to open up your drains.
If your basement floor drain is clogged and you cannot identify its cause, professional assistance should be sought to resolve this clog and determine if new tile needs to be installed. A waterproofing contractor may assist in solving this clog as well as determine if replacement may be required for proper functioning of drain tile.
Use of a plumber’s snake or auger is one way to unclog basement drain tile quickly and easily, but isn’t recommended for all interior drain systems; for instance if Innovative Basement Authority installed their BasementGutter ™ system into your basement this could damage it and void its warranty.
If your basement features an aged, clogged drain tile that hasn’t been updated in decades, it may need to be completely replaced. This process usually occurs as part of a waterproofing installation when new membrane is applied and existing drain tile removed and installed with it. However, for optimal results it’s important that damaged sections of drain tile are completely replaced as the new membrane may only work effectively with parts of its drainage system that remain functional.
Installing covers over any open drains in the basement, especially those near kitchens and bathrooms, is highly recommended to protect them from being blocked up with debris like hair and soap scum that collects over time. Furthermore, avoid planting water-loving trees near drain tile systems such as willows that could quickly grow into their water pipes and eventually block up their drain tiles or lead to costly plumbing repairs.
Hydro jetting can be the ideal way to clear away obstructions that prevent the flow of water into a basement, as it blasts past any obstructions that block its entrance. Homeowners with newer basements should also have strainers installed on floor drains so as to keep dirt and sediment out.