Clogged basement drain tiles can wreak havoc on both the surrounding soil and home. Signs of floor drain clogging include salty residue accumulating on basement walls (efflorescence), damp areas around windows and doors, or pools of water in your basement.
Do not pour chemical drain cleaners like Drano down your drain; these could potentially damage both your foundation and water and sewer pipes. As an alternative, try one of the following solutions:
Cable Machine
Basement floor drains may become clogged for various reasons. Sometimes they become blocked with dirt and mud that has accidentally been washed down the drain; other times they may dislodge themselves completely and collapse. Fortunately, there are numerous methods available for unclogging a basement drain tile system.
A cable machine is an invaluable tool that can quickly clear a clogged drain. Although its use is straightforward, you should take precautions in order to protect yourself. Position the machine two to three feet from the backflow preventer opening and plug it into a grounded outlet or 12-gauge extension cord before donning heavy leather gloves and safety glasses as well as making sure none of your loose clothing or accessories could become entangled with its cables. Test out starting and stopping with foot switch before beginning this task.
Rodding can also help clear clogged basement floor drains; also known as rootering, snaking or augering this technique involves inserting a metal cable into the drain pipe to poke and break up obstructions so water can flow freely again.
Rodding is usually reserved for severe blockages that do not respond to other methods, like other plumbing techniques. If your drain clog is extensive and preventable by other means, contact a local plumber immediately in order to prevent damage to your underground pipes and basement waterproofing system. Clearing away basement drains regularly can save money while providing peace of mind as well as prolong the lifespan of this valuable asset.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
When your drain becomes seriously blocked, using only a plunger may not be sufficient. Assuming your issue lies deep within your pipe system, using a mechanical drain cleaning machine would likely be best; otherwise there may be other solutions such as using home remedies that may provide temporary relief.
Pouring baking soda and vinegar down your drain will produce a reaction that can help loosen and flush away debris from pipes, as this combination creates carbon dioxide bubbles to break up gunk in pipes.
Another alternative is Borax, similar to baking soda but featuring additional chemical chains that make it an efficient cleaner. Add 1/4 cup of salt and 1/2 cup of Borax to the sink, along with one cup of vinegar, then allow this solution to sit for one hour before flushing it away with hot water from a pot.
For stubborn clogs, try using a wire hanger to dislodge them. Straighten out its neck and add a handle; poke into your basement floor drain; push down and pull up several times until the blockage dislodges itself (if it doesn’t, try the hanger again or consider professional drain cleaning services).
Plunger Cup
If your basement floor drain becomes clogged, there are some DIY remedies you can try before consulting a professional. Plungers are one such tool which may help clear a stubborn blockage when used correctly with strong pressure exerted through. However, inexperienced users should know that over-using a plunger could damage drains so if this option does not suit you then professional services should be sought instead.
One option for clearing away clogs in pipes is using a plumbing snake, which are long rods designed to feed down into them and break up or dislodge clogs. You can purchase these tools at most hardware stores and they tend to be easier than cable machines in terms of handling them – however it should always be approached carefully and only undertake such an endeavor if you feel confident working with such tools.
If any of these methods do not suit your needs or if your basement drain remains blocked, contact Covenant Plumbing of Bloomington for professional assistance. We provide drain cleaning services designed to restore functionality while clearing away debris. Hydro jetting is another popular technique we utilize which uses high-pressure water jets to remove stubborn clogs. Ideally, avoid chemical drain cleaners which release harmful materials into sewer systems while potentially damaging older pipes.
Electric Snake
Clogged basement floor drains can have devastating consequences on the health and integrity of your home, necessitating professional intervention to resolve. Left unattended, you could be facing flooding, mould and mildew issues or even foundation cracking issues.
Plumbing auger snakes can be purchased from most hardware stores and home improvement centers to dislodge and break up clogs in interior drains, providing an effective DIY solution. While this technique may work on most clogs, it might not always do the trick.
When you’re ready to use the snake, remove the drain cover or overflow plate and feed its cable through. Start from the top of the clog and slowly work your way downward, stopping only when you feel a snag in the cable; turning the snake when snags appear; continue this process until clog is removed or cable becomes stuck in pipe.
Rather than attempt to unclog it yourself, if you can’t remove a clog it may be beneficial to contact an expert like Innovative Basement Authority immediately to prevent further damage to your drain line and avoid further complications. As some clogs may be deeper within its drain lines than can be reached alone for resolution, such services could provide invaluable help and reduce future costs of fixing these clogs yourself.
Be mindful that pouring Drano or other chemicals down your basement drain can do serious harm to the rest of the system, so never attempt to manipulate it yourself if you cannot pinpoint what caused its backup!