When your basement floor drain backs up, it can be an enormously frustrating inconvenience. It could be an indicator that your sewer line has become clogged, leading to serious property damage as well. Luckily, there are various solutions for this issue which begin with simple solutions.
Before beginning any repair efforts, however, you’ll first need to shut off your home’s water source at the main breaker box – this will stop the clogged drain from releasing more water into your home while you work.
Safety should always come first when working around sewage, which falls under category 3 water and contains pathogens and bacteria that pose health threats to you and your loved ones. Wear gloves, face masks and goggles when working in an inundated area in order to stay safe.
Turning off the water may help reduce standing sewage in your home, but you still must remove any items at risk from getting wet or damaged. If there’s too much water for safe access, use a wet-dry vacuum or old towels to scoop what you can from beneath it all – be sure to dispose of this wastewater appropriately or risk contamination and mold growth!
Depending on the nature of your basement drain clog – hair, soap scum or debris – using a plunger may be all it takes to unclog it and clear away blockage. For stubborn clogs that persist beyond this method, other tools like power augers or chemical drain cleaners might need to be employed, however as these tools can be dangerous; before using one it is wise to consult an experienced plumber first before trying yourself. In the case of broken pipe blockages a professional plumber should always be called immediately for help as these tools could also cause more severe consequences than before!
One of the primary causes of clogged basement floor drains is a broken sewer line. While repairs might be possible, replacing it with new plastic pipes would likely be cheaper in terms of time and expense.
Install a drain guard on each of your floor drains to help avoid clogs and backups in order to protect against hair, soap scum, and other debris that could enter your pipes. Also schedule regular maintenance from an experienced drain and sewer professional who can use HD sewer camera inspection of clogged lines to locate their source and determine what has caused it; plus this option usually costs less than emergency service calls since you can pre-book at a discounted rate!