Clogged basement floor drains can be an immense source of hassle for any homeowner, not only from cleaning it up but also due to toxic sewage water seeping back in. There are various DIY solutions you can try in order to address this problem before it escalates; in this article we’ll review some of the causes, methods for clearing an obstruction, and when to consult professional services.
As soon as a basement floor drain becomes blocked, you must turn off your home’s main water source immediately to prevent any more water from coming in through its way and entering through its drain while working to repair it.
Once the water has been turned off, take steps to unclog your basement floor drain by first taking out its cover and prying off any grates on top if necessary – this should usually be easy but if they are stuck tight you may require to use something hard such as a hammer. Next take a closer look at your drain; if it is blocked you should notice debris or gunk at its base; this could be hair, soap scum, grease or any other form of debris which has collected in it thus restricting waste water flow preventing waste water flow into sewage systems and making use of wastewater systems unreliable and costly.
If you can’t see any obstruction to the drainage in your basement floor drainage issues, try using a shop vacuum to clear out both your drain and P-trap. A wet/dry vacuum’s suction should help break up any clogs and pull them from their pipes; if this still doesn’t help clear things out, you could add water directly to the trap itself which should solve it.
Foul smells emanating from a basement floor drain are another telltale sign it’s time to call in professionals. A clog allowing sewer water back up could be responsible for this stench; such clogs require more advanced drain cleaning methods like power auger or HD sewer camera for removal.
Though there are various methods for dealing with a basement floor drain that has started backing up, it’s always best to leave it to professionals. They have the tools and expertise to identify and address the source of your issue as well as help prevent future clogs by limiting soap scum build-up as well as pouring grease/oil down your kitchen sink instead of down the basement drain. Install a drain cover if large objects such as toys/plants end up going down your basement drain!